By Sam Laskaris /
Mathieu Cadieux didn’t have a lengthy stint with the Cobourg Cougars.
Yet the 18-year-old goaltender certainly made a huge impression during his short stay with the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) squad.
And now Cadieux is hoping to continue turning heads in the NCAA ranks. He’s accepted a scholarship offer from Connecticut’s Quinnipiac Bobcats and will begin his rookie season with the Eastern College Athletic Conference squad this fall.
Besides having various American Division I clubs interested in his services, Cadieux has also been catching the attention of some pro scouts. Thus, there’s a chance the Oshawa resident will be a late-round selection in June’s National Hockey League Draft.
Cadieux had started this past season with the OJHL’s Peterborough Stars. But the Cougars acquired his rights this past January, on the league’s trade deadline day.
“I had followed him for a few years,” said Cobourg’s general manager Perry Bowles. “I was very interested in him. He was (Peterborough’s) No. 1 goalie but he became available.”
And Bowles was able to pull off a deal with the Stars to acquire Cadieux.
The goalkeeper then appeared in 10 regular season matches for Cobourg. He picked up three wins in those appearances with the Cougars, who placed seventh in their eight-team Central Division.
“He played very well for us during the remainder of the regular season,” Bowles said. “And in the playoffs, he played outstanding.”
Primarily because of Cadieux’s play, the underdog Cougars extended the Markham Waxers to a seventh and deciding game in their best-of-seven Central Division quarter-final series.
“Everybody was telling us we didn’t stand a chance and that we’d get swept,” said Cadieux, who played all seven of his team’s playoff games, allowing just 18 goals and posting an impressive 2.58 goals-against average. “But we went to Game 7.”
Cadieux’s post-season performances allowed him to win some hardware at the team awards banquet. He was selected as the Cougars’ playoff MVP.
He’s hoping another career highlight will come by being chosen in the NHL Draft.
“I’d like to say they’re good,” he said of his chances of being drafted. “But I’m not quite sure.”
Bowles believes Cadieux is capable of going on to play pro hockey.
“I think he has pro potential,” he said. “And he’s very committed to advancing to the next level.”
After watching some NCAA action this past year, Cadieux is confident he can play at the Division I level.
Though he had some other schools who were keen to see him in their lineup, Cadieux chose Quinnipiac in large part because of his chances of making an immediate impact.
The Bobcats, who are based in Hamden, Conn., graduated one of their senior goalies this past year.
Besides having another netminder return for his sophomore season, Quinnipiac is also bringing in another freshman.
“We’re pretty much going to fight for our ice time,” Cadieux said of the three goalies the Bobcats will carry this coming season. “And I think I’m going to get my fair share of it.” |