“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
No comments:
Post a Comment