Gino Cavallini
Born (1962-11-24) November 24, 1962
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb)
Position Left wing
Shot Left
Played for Calgary Flames
St. Louis Blues
Quebec Nordiques
EV Landshut
HC Bolzano
Villacher SV
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 19842000

Gino J. Cavallini (born November 24, 1962) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward. He played in the National Hockey League with the Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, and Quebec Nordiques between 1985 and 1993. He is the brother of the NHL hockey player Paul Cavallini.

Playing career

Cavallini played one year for the St. Michael's Buzzers, a Junior hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association (now part of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League). Following his short stint with the Buzzers, Cavallini was offered a scholarship to play college hockey for the Bowling Green State University Falcons. He remained with the Falcons for two years (1982–1984). He is noted for scoring the game-winning goal in the 1984 NCAA Championship game, 7:11 into the fourth overtime. At 97 minutes and 11 seconds, it stands today as one of the longest games in Division I hockey history.[1][2][3]

Following his two seasons at Bowling Green, the Calgary Flames signed Cavallini as a free agent during the 1984–85 season. He would go on to score six goals in 27 games that season.

Cavallini played parts of two seasons with the Flames, alternating between the NHL and minor AHL team, the Moncton Golden Flames. Following his second professional season, he was traded to the St. Louis Blues as part of a multi-player deal (Cavallini, Ed Beers and Charlie Bourgeois for Joey Mullen, Terry Johnson and Rik Wilson). While with the Blues, Cavallini served as the alternate captain to Brian Sutter. As part of the Ron Caron-managed franchise from 1986–1992, Cavallini helped provide leadership, enthusiasm, and disciplined strength on the ice. During those seasons, the Blues re-established themselves as a competitive force in the Norris Division making the playoffs each year. During his playing seasons with the Blues, Cavallini's brother, defenseman Paul also joined the squad.

Referred to locally as "The Tank", Cavallini's grit on the ice was evident throughout his NHL seasons with Calgary (54 games), St. Louis (454 games), and later with the Quebec Nordiques (85 games). In total he played 593 regular-season games, scoring 114 goals and 159 assists for 273 points and collecting 507 penalty minutes. He also played in 74 playoff games, scoring 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points and collecting 66 penalty minutes. From 1986–1990, Cavallini had his best NHL seasons, recording more than 30 points per season and scoring 20 goals in the 1988–89 season.

Cavallini left the NHL after the 1993 season, spending 3 seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals of the International Hockey League. His commitment to the game helped solidify Cavallini as a leader for the Admirals, with impressive stats scoring 139 goals and 248 points in 3 seasons. He then completed his career in Europe, playing primarily in Germany with EV Landshut and Austria with EC Villacher before retiring in the 2000–01 season.

Personal life

Cavallini's son, Aidan, played hockey at the University of Wisconsin. Aidan is married to goaltender Alex Cavallini.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
1979–80 Oak Ridges Dynes COJHL 43232447102
1980–81 Oak Ridges Dynes COJHL 3727568342
1980–81 Aurora Tigers OPJAHL 20000
1981–82 St. Michael's Buzzers MetJBHL 3322335550
1982–83 Bowling Green State University CCHA 408162452
1983–84 Bowling Green State University CCHA 4325234816
1984–85 Calgary Flames NHL 276101614 30004
1984–85 Moncton Golden Flames AHL 5129194828
1985–86 Calgary Flames NHL 27771426
1985–86 Moncton Golden Flames AHL 43257
1985–86 St. Louis Blues NHL 30651136 1745910
1986–87 St. Louis Blues NHL 8018264454 63142
1987–88 St. Louis Blues NHL 6415173262 10551019
1988–89 St. Louis Blues NHL 7420234379 902217
1989–90 St. Louis Blues NHL 8015153077 121342
1990–91 St. Louis Blues NHL 788273581 131342
1991–92 St. Louis Blues NHL 48971640
1991–92 Quebec Nordiques NHL 181784
1992–93 Quebec Nordiques NHL 679152434 40000
1993–94 Milwaukee Admirals IHL 7843357864 43476
1994–95 Milwaukee Admirals IHL 8053358854 1572910
1995–96 Milwaukee Admirals IHL 8243398220 53142
1996–97 EV Landshut DEL 4825295432 73254
1996–97 HC Bolzano ITA 32130
1997–98 EV Landshut DEL 4812183030 615625
1998–99 Villacher SV AUT 5642519342
1999–00 Villacher SV IEL 322538636
1999–00 Villacher SV AUT 151316298
2000–01 EHC Biel NLB 4033387130 1177146
NHL totals 593114159273507 7414193356

References

  1. "20 Years Later, Pain, Elation Still Vivid". USCHO.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-09. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
  2. "Moments in CCHA History". CCHA.com. Archived from the original on 2008-04-13. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
  3. "Gino J. Cavallini". Legends of Hockey. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
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