It has been a busy off season for local Hampton Roads product Regen Cavanagh (Chesapeake, VA).  After centering the top scoring line combo in the USPHL with TJ Sneath and Griffin Leach this past season, the 2014 Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) draft pick has continued to watch his stock rise.  Cavanagh played in 6 NAHL games with Corpus Christi as an affiliate player this past season, and showed enough in his short stint with Corpus, that the Icerays drafted him in the 5th round of the NAHL draft this past May in order to retain his rights. 

After that, it was time for Cavanagh to prepare himself for the road ahead.  Regen trained 4-5 days a week every morning with other local Jr. Whalers and Whaler alumni preparing for their college journeys, pushing themselves to be the best.  Next up, was main camp with Des Moines in the USHL, which saw Cavanagh push himself through to the final round of cuts, just missing out on the 23 man roster, then came the Corpus NAHL main camp, which saw Regen stand out, and earn a spot on coach John Becanic’s 23 man roster for the upcoming season. 

The journey didn’t stop there, as Cavanagh’s play drew the eye of and main camp invite from former Corpus assistant coach and current Acadia-Bathurst Titans (QMJHL) assistant coach Brad Flynn.  This past weekend, Cavanagh attend the Titans major junior main camp in Bathurst, New Brunswick, competing for a spot in a league that has produced the likes of Mario Lemieux, Mike Bossy, Guy LaFleur, and Pat Lafontaine.

“Not only was the level of play different opposed to what I’m used to, but the entire culture was a huge change”, stated Cavanagh. “Unlike the junior leagues in the U.S., these players had no intention of going to play collegiate sports, their entire mindset was based around making a professional team”. 

“I thought Regen had a very strong camp”, stated Acadia-Bathurst assistant coach Brad Flynn.  “His speed was extremely noticeable, which is a big credit to the Whalers program and their intensive summer training regimen.  He was in the mix to earn a roster spot, but because of his age, it was decided it was best for him to save his NCAA eligibility at this moment.”    

In order to continue to pursue the NCAA pathway, Cavanagh’s journey will see him suit up for the 2015-16 season in Corpus Christi, TX in the NAHL with the Corpus Christi Icerays.

“As awkward as it feels moving away from the Whalers this year, I am eagerly looking forward to the challenge and beginning the upcoming season in Texas with the Ice Rays in the NAHL”, stated Cavanagh. “There is a great group of guys down there and I look forward to playing in a professional atmosphere.  I expect the team to have great success this year, along with the Whalers who I will be keeping up with throughout the season”.