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Q/A w/ Whaler Nation Executive Chairman, Patrick Cavanagh. PART 2 of 2

By Whaler Nation, 09/28/16, 10:00PM EDT

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We had a chance to catch up with Whalers Nation Executive Chairman Patrick Cavanagh about his thoughts on hockey, Whaler Nation youth, Junior, and the Chilled Ponds this upcoming season.

How has hockey in the United States progressed in your generation?

"Without question, American born players have closed the gap on Canadian and European players in the last 25 years.  This is a direct result of more skating facilities and richly experienced coaches and leaders who have taken root in the US and developed solid programs and players.  We have observed areas that were previously unheard for player output like California, Arizona, Texas, and the South Eastern United States that are now producing high caliber players. This is reflected on Division 1 and Division 3 University hockey rosters and also in the NHL draft each year, highlighted by this year’s #1 overall pick Auston Matthews (pictured) from Arizona.  Whaler Nation is proud to be a part of this movement and providing opportunities that are limitless for players who have the loftiest ambitions.”

How has Chilled Ponds fit into the Whalers success?

“Since my early year’s in life, owning a rink and developing players has always been my objective after playing professional hockey. Chilled Ponds is a fantastic facility that has made changes most every year to best cater to our skating community. Among the most beneficial was adding Bon Secours InMotion (Pictured).  They are a professional company that caters to Health and Sports performance that operate within the Chilled Ponds. Among the leadership at InMotion, Joey Ratti directly works with our Junior and Youth players throughout the year, the results have been off the chart. The addition of the East Coast Hockey and Skating Supply has been a boost to our customer base and fills a void for full access to equipment and customer service. Mike Hendrix is a superior Hockey equipment operator, Chilled Ponds is fortunate to have him.  We are now back to a dual sheet ice sports complex which has enabled us to grow youth hockey and host world class tournaments such Big Bear and Frozen Biscuit events.  The location of Chilled Ponds is second to none in the center of Chesapeake, VA, just off interstate 64, walking distance to hotels and restaurants.  We have been awarded a 2nd consecutive USPHL Showcase September 30- October 3, featuring 24 teams and an unprecedented 47 games which will attract University scouting teams from across the nation.”

Whalers Alumni have blazed new paths in their athletic/scholastic careers, please talk about some of them?

“This is a tough question to answer because I will not cover them all.  Each player who has progressed through our program and moved on to the next level has succeeded based upon the objective to advance onto athletic/scholastic achievements. However, as I see it, the benefits that come from making life- long friendships on a respect measuring stick and working together as a team to achieve with all giving their best efforts for the greater good is something that makes all players extraordinary people.

Last season we saw 13 players advance to college hockey lead by Captain Jacob Gerson (Utica), Henry Hearon and Ryan Bochert (Morrisville), and Dominic Moore (Adrain) and 1 player, Radek Sawicki sign a pro contract in Poland.  Going back a few years, Radolsav Illo received a scholarship to NCAA D1 Bemidji State and went on to getting drafted by the Anaheim Ducks.  He would eventually play back in Norfolk for the Admirals when they were the Ducks AHL affiliate was quite the story.  Hometown kid Ryan Salkeld became a standout scorer at Buffalo State, setting school records and went on to sign with the Norfolk Admirals (ECHL affiliate of Edmonton) after his senior season.  Ryan Collins went NCAA D1 to Umass Lowell, former Whalers captain Cam Snyder went on to Captain NCAA D3 Fitchburg State.  Alex Brissette, another former Whaler’s Captain has been great at Utica College and high scoring winger TJ Sneath is blazing his pathway at Oswego State.  Regen Cavanagh has vaulted to the top ranks of Junior Hockey via drafts to the USHL, NAHL and invitations to the QMJHL, among so many others. 

How does the game you played professionally relate to today’s game? What adjustments have you made with Whaler Nation to harness successful growth?

“I don’t think there is another major sport that has fundamentally changed as much as hockey in the past 25 years.  At times it doesn’t even resemble the game that I played.  One thing is for certain, the players are faster, therefore there is less space on the ice and players with pucks are being challenged immediately.  There are more penalties and as a result and subsequently more emphasis on specialty teams, which largely determine the outcome of games.  There is no more interference or interruption of an opposing players speed on the forecheck which has placed targets on the defenseman who must deal with full speed pressure.  The defensive team concepts that utilize physical contact have been restricted to a point where the coaching had to adjust. Does the increased speed of the game equate to a better game?  That is not for me to say, but the Sport’s popularity continues to increase.  As it relates to Whaler Nation’s adjustments, our training methods and practice plans have certainly adjusted to the way the game is played at the higher levels.

Your Son, Regen, has become a highly recognized prospect, what has his path looked like and where will he play this upcoming season?

"Regen is a Whaler Nation product through and through.  He has trained and played from Chilled Ponds house league through the Junior Elite level, as a Whaler.  Our curriculum at Whaler Nation provides for the fully committed on reaching the highest levels of play should that be the players objective. In Regen’s situation, his work ethic and competition levels have been incredible to observe during his development years.  His advancement showcases the possibilities for all players not only locally in Hampton Roads, but also in the CBHL and USPHL leagues.

Regen began getting noticed at the end of his 16 year old year with the Whalers Elite team when he was drafted by Des Moines in USHL. He then went to NAHL camps as a small 17 year old who needed more development time. His year with the Whalers Elite team quickly elevated his game which was recognized by former Norfolk Admirals GM, Pat Dunn who had a big part in affiliating him to Corpus Christi of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). After games with Corpus during that season, He was drafted by Corpus that spring and made the team.  Regen suffered a serious injury a few days before his NAHL season when he was hit in the face with a hard shot which required facial reconstruction surgery. This setback cost him 15-20 games in the season but his resilience was evident when he returned to the lineup eventually being selected to the prestigious NAHL Top Prospects game. The development and experience Regen had with the Corpus Christi Ice Rays organization outstanding and was instrumental to Regen getting drafted by the Dubuque Fighting Saints, of the USHL. After a competitive tryout and a preseason cut down to the final roster, Regen will be playing under Coach Lammers for Dubuque in the USHL this season. Our entire Whaler Nation community is proud of his accomplishments to date and look forward the continuation of his journey with Dubuque.

What has Regen’s success meant to Whaler Nation’s future players?

"Regen represents the success and acknowledgement that we have strived to provide our goal oriented players and families in Chesapeake, Virginia.  I have always strongly believed that great players are made not born, with hard work, commitment and wiliness to risk failure and to always rebound from a setback. These traits will lead to success whether a player competes in Chesapeake, Virginia or Toronto, Ontario. Lots of work has enabled Regen to achieve elite levels of the Junior Hockey, I am hopeful that the younger players in Chesapeake, Virginia will be encouraged and motivated by Regen’s success and strive to achieve the same or greater paths. The future is bright on that topic as we have already seen two more players, Kyle Perkowski (NJ Titans) and Jayson Dimizio (Corpus Christi) find their way on NAHL rosters for the 2016-17 season with Billy Brock (Pictured) listed as an affiliated player also with Corpus Christi off of last year’s Championship season.  Many are watching Brandon Osmundson, John Moncovich, John Horn and Zach Alvarado as the next future standouts from Hampton Roads.  I see great things for those players.”

What’s new with Whalers Junior Coaching for 2016/17?

"The Whalers have among the finest coaching staffs in Junior Hockey which combines tremendous professional background and direct historic Whaler ties.   Rod Taylor now adds to his ring collection of three Professional Championships, an ECHL Hall of Fame and most recently a USPHL Championship. He is an excellent hockey mind with unmatched commitment to the player’s development and also the game of hockey.  We will all celebrate him in October as he will be inducted to the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame.  Our Assistant Coach at the Elite level continues with Jon Vaillancourt, a member of the original Junior Whaler’s undefeated Championship team. Jon has applied himself at a high level to the Coaching, Training and Player development craft. Few in his field show the daily discipline and commitment to betterment that Jon has, so much so that he has earned a player development role with the Norfolk Admirals Hockey Club in addition to his duties with the Whalers.   Whaler Nations Executive Director, also an original Junior Whaler, Brad Jones continues to run the USP3 team and operations at Whaler Nation. Brad was awarded the well-deserved USPHL Coach of the Year award last season with his runner up team. Brad is woven into Whaler Nation’s fabric and has been a part of the introduction and implementation of all programs that make up the Chilled Ponds/ Whaler Nation’s successful hockey development pyramid. He has a great hockey mind and understanding for the game at all levels which has developed further year after year.  Brad has hired his Assistant and popular Whaler Alumni, Kody Rodriguez. Kody embodies the Whaler Nation work ethic and commitment for excellence. His play during the 2014-15 season was pivotal to our success that season and his demeanor and enthusiasm sets him apart from the pack. We are thrilled to have Kody continue his journey as a Whaler in the Coaching capacity.  

Tell us about the Whaler’s 16/17 team and how you envision the upcoming season.

“The Elite Whalers lost eleven 95’ birth year players in addition to losing Kyle Perkowski (96’) and Jayson Dimizio (97’) to the NAHL is more than most teams at any level can expect to lose in one season.  Our team and locker-room was strong last year and was able to overcome many challenges to succeed on the National stage.  A season is usually reflected and characterized by a few games, we are all keenly aware when those games come our way and aim to be successful at those times. The Whalers have an outstanding group of players for the 2016/17 season.  I expect you will see a hungry team made up of hard working, committed players that will follow suit with the Whalers tradition.

Additionally, Our USP3 team has a tremendous group of veterans and talented rookie’s that have worked hard all summer long. I am looking forward to watching both teams this upcoming season. “

What do you see for Whaler Nation in the coming years, are their new plans for the program?

“Whaler Nation’s program has always been based on high-level training and excellence, nothing will change with that.  We set the bar high and have expectations at all levels of play. “