Thomas Garrett Cavanagh (March 24, 1982 – January 6, 2011) was an American professional ice hockey center who last played with the

Springfield Falcons The Springfield Falcons were a former ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL) and played in Springfield, Massachusetts, at the MassMutual Center. In 2016, the Falcons' franchise was purchased by the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Ar ...

of the American Hockey League. He was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the sixth round, 182nd overall, of the

2001 NHL Entry Draft __NOTOC__ The 2001 NHL Entry Draft was the 39th NHL Entry Draft. It was held on June 23 and 24, 2001 at the National Car Rental Center in Sunrise, Florida. As of 2022, the only remaining active players in the NHL from the 2001 draft class are M ...

. After playing four seasons at Harvard University, he was signed to a professional contract by the Sharks organization. Cavanagh made his National Hockey League debut with San Jose near the end of the 2007–08 season and recorded an assist on his first shift. The following season, he scored his lone NHL goal March 28, 2009, a backhand shot past

Phoenix Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Coyotes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference and currently play at the Mull ...

goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov.

Playing career

Cavanagh attended

Phillips Exeter Academy (not for oneself) la, Finis Origine Pendet (The End Depends Upon the Beginning) gr, Χάριτι Θεοῦ (By the Grace of God) , location = 20 Main Street , city = Exeter, New Hampshire , zipcode ...

. Cavanagh was the first player to play every single one of the Harvard's games during his collegiate career. Cavanagh made his 138th consecutive appearance in a Crimson jersey in Harvard's final game of the 2005 NCAA Tournament. Cavanagh is the Worcester Sharks' all-time scoring leader with 138 points in 202 games. Cavanagh holds the San Jose Sharks franchise record for quickest point by a rookie for an assist on a goal by Joe Thornton that came 36 seconds into Cavanagh's first game in the NHL.

Death

Cavanagh was found dead in the

Providence Place Mall Providence Place is an American shopping mall in Providence, Rhode Island. With of Floor area (building), gross leasable area, it has been the largest shopping mall in Rhode Island since it opened in 1999. As of 2022, the mall is anchored by Ma ...

parking garage on January 6, 2011. The cause of death was identified as multiple traumatic injuries due to blunt force impact. Police have stated that they believe the death to be a

suicide Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Mental disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders), physical disorders (such as chronic fatigue syndrome), and s ...

. Cavanagh had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and was institutionalized several times in the last months of his life. Cavanagh had been released from his contract with the Falcons on November 9, 2010.

Career statistics

Awards and honors

References

External links

*
Thomas G. Cavanagh Memorial Fund
a fund dedicated to raising awareness about

mental illness A mental disorder, also referred to as a mental illness or psychiatric disorder, is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning. Such features may be persistent, relapsing and remitti ...

. {{DEFAULTSORT:Cavanagh, Tom 1982 births 2011 suicides 2011 deaths American men's ice hockey centers Cleveland Barons (2001–2006) players Harvard Crimson men's ice hockey players Ice hockey players from Rhode Island Sportspeople from Warwick, Rhode Island People with schizophrenia Phillips Exeter Academy alumni San Jose Sharks draft picks San Jose Sharks players Springfield Falcons players Worcester Sharks players Suicides in Rhode Island