Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Connie Madigan obit

“Legendary Connie Madigan, Hockey Icon, Passes Away: Remembering Mad Dog’s Unstoppable Legacy”

 

He was not on the list.


In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the sports community mourns the loss of a true legend, Connie Madigan. On January 4, 2024, news broke that the ice hockey world had lost one of its most iconic figures. While the cause of his passing remains unknown, Connie Madigan’s impact on the game and the indelible mark he left on his fans’ hearts will never be forgotten.

Connie Madigan’s Rise to Stardom:

Born into a modest family in an undisclosed location, Connie Madigan’s passion for ice hockey ignited at a young age. With unmatched determination and unwavering dedication, Madigan honed his skills on frozen ponds and local rinks, soon catching the eye of scouts. His natural talent and exceptional ability to seize opportunities led him to the pinnacle of the sport.

Throughout his illustrious career, Madigan became synonymous with strength, agility, and an unyielding spirit. As he blossomed into a professional athlete, his tenacity and unmatched skills on the ice earned him the nickname “Mad Dog,” a moniker that would forever be associated with his fierce style of play.

Legacy of a Hockey Icon:

Connie Madigan’s prowess as a forward was renowned throughout the league. His ability to dominate the game from the front of the net was unparalleled, leaving opponents in awe and teammates inspired. Tom McVie, another legendary figure in the hockey world, once described facing Madigan as “like backing into an airplane propeller.” This statement encapsulates the fear and respect Madigan commanded on the ice.

Madigan’s contributions to the game extended far beyond his on-ice performances. He was known for his unwavering sportsmanship, leadership, and dedication to his team. His teammates and coaches revered him as an exemplary role model, inspiring generations of players who followed in his footsteps.

Off the ice, Madigan’s impact was equally profound. Known for his philanthropy, he dedicated his time and resources to various charitable causes. Whether it was supporting youth hockey programs or lending a helping hand to community initiatives, Madigan consistently gave back to the sport and the people who admired him.

He played 20 games in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues during the 1972–73 season. The rest of his career, which lasted from 1955 to 1976, was spent in the minor leagues. Madigan was the oldest rookie in NHL history, aged 38.

Cornelius Dennis "Mad Dog" Madigan was born in Port Arthur, Ontario. After playing several years in senior leagues in Ontario and British Columbia in the late 1950s, Madigan had a lengthy career as a minor league star, most notably with the Fort Wayne Komets of the International Hockey League for three seasons in the early 1960s, and then for the Portland Buckaroos of the Western Hockey League for nine seasons. He won accolades as First Team league All-Star in 1960, 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969, Second Team All-Star in 1965, 1971 and 1972, as well as winning best defenceman honors in 1966.

Beset with numerous injuries in the 1972–73 season, the St. Louis Blues of the NHL bought Madigan's rights from the Buckaroos, and he suited up for the Blues in January 1973 at the age of 38, becoming the oldest rookie ever. He played competently for the Blues in twenty regular-season games and five playoff games, before finishing his career with Portland in parts of the two successive seasons.

At the time of his retirement, Madigan was second in minor league history in career penalty minutes. Despite being retired for 40 seasons, Madigan is still 89th in career penalty minutes.

In addition to Madigan's hockey career, he had a minor role in the 1977 cult classic movie Slap Shot as legendary hockey goon Ross "Mad Dog" Madison.

 

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season             Playoffs

Season Team            League            GP            G            A            Pts            PIM            GP            G            A            Pts            PIM

1952–53            Port Arthur Bruins            TBJHL            27            4            3            7            67            —            —            —            —            —

1953–54            Port Arthur Bruins            TBJHL            26            2            11            13            124            9            1            2            3            18

1954–55            Port Arthur Bruins            TBJHL            34            7            11            18            168            —            —            —            —            —

1954–55            Humboldt Indians            SJHL            5            0            0            0            0            —            —            —            —            —

1955–56            Penticton Vees            OSHL            54            4            18            22            231            —            —            —            —            —

1956–57            Penticton Vees            OSHL            —            —            —            —            —            —            —            —            —            —

1957–58            Vernon Canadians            OSHL            8            0            3            3            34            —            —            —            —            —

1958–59            Vernon Maple Leafs            WIHL            50            4            24            28            145            11            2            4            6            24

1958–59            Spokane Spokes            WHL            3            1            1            2            2            —            —            —            —            —

1958–59            Nelson Maple Leafs            Al-Cup            —            —            —            —            —            7            0            3            3            12

1959–60            Fort Wayne Komets            IHL            66            7            50            57            272            13            0            3            3            44

1960–61            Cleveland Barons            AHL            8            0            2            2            13            —            —            —            —            —

1960–61            Fort Wayne Komets            IHL            57            9            28            37            231            8            2            3            5            26

1961–62            Fort Wayne Komets            IHL            2            0            0            0            9            —            —            —            —            —

1961–62            Spokane Comets            WHL            63            9            28            37            171            16            0            4            4            28

1962–63            Spokane Comets            WHL            48            7            15            22            115            —            —            —            —            —

1963–64            Los Angeles Blades            WHL            68            10            27            37            120            12            2            4            6            49

1964–65            Providence Reds            AHL            10            1            2            3            34            —            —            —            —            —

1964–65            Portland Buckaroos            WHL            60            11            20            31            158            10            1            4            5            18

1965–66            Portland Buckaroos            WHL            72            13            31            44            159            14            1            6            7            15

1966–67            Portland Buckaroos            WHL            72            9            42            51            147            4            2            1            3            6

1967–68            Portland Buckaroos            WHL            59            7            25            32            105            12            1            5            6            16

1968–69            Portland Buckaroos            WHL            71            3            25            28            175            10            1            8            9            22

1969–70            Dallas Black Hawks            CHL            10            1            4            5            26            —            —            —            —            —

1969–70            Portland Buckaroos            WHL            60            5            28            33            101            11            0            6            6            59

1970–71            Portland Buckaroos            WHL            72            8            59            67            175            3            0            3            3            38

1971–72            Portland Buckaroos            WHL            61            8            48            56            170            11            0            7            7            44

1972–73            St. Louis Blues            NHL            20            0            3            3            25            5            0            0            0            4

1972–73            Portland Buckaroos            WHL            42            3            26            29            146            —            —            —            —            —

1973–74            San Diego Gulls            WHL            39            3            19            22            80            —            —            —            —            —

1973–74            Portland Buckaroos            WHL            16            0            12            12            22            9            0            2            2            40

1974–75            Portland Buckaroos            WIHL            10            2            11            13            20            —            —            —            —            —

1975–76            Portland Buckaroos            NWHL            24            7            16            23            88            —            —            —            —            —

WHL totals            806            97            406            503            1846            112            8            50            58            335

NHL totals            20            0            3            3            25            5            0            0            0            4

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