The sentiment was echoed on Cavanagh’s end.

“I love playing with him,” Cavanagh says. “He’s such a smart player, he can score goals, he knows where to be, so for me, it’s really fun to play with him. I’ve played with him so much I kind of know where he likes to be, where he likes to get the puck. He’s kind of used to me looking for him too.”

Cavanagh has also taken his place among the upperclassmen on the team, in spite of noted quietness.

“He’s kind of a reserved kid especially around people he doesn’t know that well,” captain Kenny Smith says. “In the locker room, when he speaks up, people listen because, one, they know he knows what he’s talking about and two, he’s always working so hard people want to hear what he has to say.”

However reserved Cavanagh may be to outside observers, or Crimson reporters, his teammates immediately point to his dry sense of humor as pervasive within the team.

“Someone will be telling a story and he’ll just tack on a line and have everyone in stitches,” Smith says.

“Tommy’s far from quiet—he’s one of the most hysterical kids,” Pettit says. “We came up a long time ago with the nickname “The Jokester” because he always has a smart remark about pretty much everything.”

“I think I called a couple kids “Jokesters” and it came back on me,” Cavanagh recalls.

However, Lederman remembers the somewhat appropriate origin.

“He got that nickname from Dom Moore freshman year and he is quiet, but he’s really funny when he says something,” Lederman says. “It’s that novelty because he’s actually really a funny guy when he comes up with a joke.”

Whether adding a line for laughter or speaking up about hockey, Cavanagh’s growing comfort with the team has translated into jokes in the locker room and goals on the ice.

“Everyone on the team just loves being around him,” Pettit says. “He definitely came in as the quiet kid, but once he was comfortable, he was far from quiet.”

Back to Bright

When asked what he’s most looking forward to right now, Cavanagh pauses, momentarily thrown, but then the answer is clear.

“Friday night, getting started,” he replies.