John T. Cavagnaro, 19, North hockey's all-time leading scorer for defensemen
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

C a v a g n a ro

John T. Cavagnaro, 19, Williamsville North hockey's all-time leading scorer in league play for defensemen, died in his sleep at his Getzville home on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007.

Mr. Cavagnaro played four years for North, finishing league play with 40 points (six goals, 34 assists). He helped North win New York State Division I titles in 2002 and 2004 and Section VI Western New York Varsity Hockey Federation titles in 2003 and 2005. North lost in the state finals in 2003 but Mr. Cavagnaro recorded the most points and was named to the all-tournament team. He was captain his senior year.

Mr. Cavagnaro was a sophomore at the University at Buffalo where he was a school of business management major and played for the school's club hockey team. He obtained USA Hockey Certification and in 2005, became assistant coach for the Casey Middle School modified team. He also realized a dream when he coached side by side this season with North Federation coach Bob Rosen for the Amherst Bantam Minor "AAA".

Rosen said he received word of Mr. Cavagnaro's death at 10:15 a.m. Saturday morning. Out of respect for Mr. Cavagnaro, North's Federation game at 1 p.m. with Kenmore West on Saturday was postponed. Twelve players on North's current roster once played with him.

"It's shocking and surreal," said Rosen.

Rosen was unclear of Mr. Cavagnaro's medical condition, only saying he had some heart problems.

"I don't know exactly," he said. "It was something with his valves. He would have a tough time breathing and it would cause him to hyperventilate. But he was being treated for it."

Mr. Cavagnaro was close with the Rosen family. Rosen said Mr. Cavagnaro would be over at his house all of the time. Whenever Rosen had a computer problem, Bob's wife told him to give Mr. Cavagnaro a call.

Rosen said Mr. Cavagnaro's death was hard on his six-year old son, Jake, who John helped coach.

"My son, Jake, said 'I keep expecting to see Cav at practice,'" said Rosen.

On the ice, Rosen said no one played with more heart and determination on North than Mr. Cavagnaro, who fought threw a major shoulder and broken ankle his junior and senior seasons.

"There was a game in Albany where we were short-handed and won 3-2 in overtime," said Rosen. "John scored the tying goal and game-winner in OT. He basically said 'we're not losing this game. That's the type of player he was."

Williamsville Director of Athletics Dr. Jim Rusin had nothing but kind words to say about Mr. Cavagnaro.

"He was more than a hockey player," Rusin said. "He was a wonderful, happy kid. He was a good friend and a great teammate."

"We're just really devastated about this," he added. "I know the entire Williamsville North hockey community and Amherst Hockey Community feels the same way. There was never a person who didn't like John Mr. Cavagnaro. He was respected on and off the ice."

Sports were the focus of Mr. Cavagnaro's life. Besides playing for North and UB, he played in the Amherst Soccer Association, Amherst Lacrosse Association, Lou Gehrig Baseball League and Amherst Hockey Association.

Mr. Cavagnaro started playing youth hockey at age 4 in several Amherst House leagues for Pee Wee, Bantam and Midget Tournament teams. Several of these teams went on to play in state championship finals.

He was also selected to play in several New York State USA Hockey Team Selection Tournaments. He was named on the Buffalo team in the inaugural Bowman Cup started by Scotty Bowman to recognize the top local talent.

Mr. Cavagnaro won several awards, was a scholar athlete and the recipient of the Heinz Meier Scholarship award selected by the Meier family and Amherst Hockey Board of Directors given to a player who made a significant impact on the organization for athletic ability and giving back to the league.

He also played varsity lacrosse for three years.

Mr. Cavagnaro volunteered for SABAH and for several years was a counselor for the Todd Marchant Hockey Camp. He was also working as an intern with the Buffalo Sabres.

Mr. Cavagnaro is survived by his parents, Thomas and Pamela and three sisters, Laura, Erin and Stacy.

Services will be held at 8:15 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18 from the (Amherst Chapel) Amigone Funeral Home, 5200 Sheridan Dr. followed at 9:30 a.m. by a Mass of Christian Burial from St. Gregory the Great Church, 250 St. Gregory Court.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com