Draft:Patrick Cavanagh
| Submission declined on 17 July 2025 by S0091 (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of people). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia. This submission is not adequately supported by reliable sources. Reliable sources are required so that information can be verified. If you need help with referencing, please see Referencing for beginners and Citing sources.
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Comment: Most of this is unsourced and sources are either press releases or based on what Cavanagh says which cannot be used to establish notability. See Your first article. S0091 (talk) 21:18, 17 July 2025 (UTC)
- Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Donnaserdula (talk) 20:37, 17 July 2025 (UTC)
| Patrick Cavanagh | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
February 19, 1970 Rockville Centre, New York, U.S. | ||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | ||
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb) | ||
| Position | Right Wing | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for |
Hampton Roads Admirals (ECHL) Erie Panthers (ECHL) San Diego Gulls (IHL) Binghamton Rangers (AHL) Tulsa Oilers (CHL) Wichita Thunder (CHL) Peoria Rivermen (IHL) Dayton Bombers (ECHL) Nashville Knights (ECHL) Atlanta Knights (IHL) | ||
| Playing career | 1989–1997 | ||
Patrick Cavanagh (born February 19, 1970) is an American business executive and former professional hockey player. He owns the Norfolk Admirals (ECHL)[1]and the Chilled Ponds in Chesapeake and Norfolk and has been involved in youth hockey development and ice sports facility management.
Early life
[edit]Patrick Cavanagh was born in Rockville Centre, New York. He began playing hockey at the age of 10.
Playing career
[edit]Cavanagh began his professional hockey career as a right winger[2] in 1989 with the Hampton Roads Admirals of the ECHL.[3] In his first season, he played 30 games, contributing 12 points. He continued with the Admirals for the 1990–1991 ECHL championship season,[1] contributing 14 points over 29 games.
During the 1991–1992 season, Cavanagh signed a contract with the New York Rangers (NHL) and was assigned to the Binghamton Rangers (AHL),[4] Erie Panthers (ECHL), where he scored 22 points in 35 games, and the San Diego Gulls (IHL) for six games.
In the 1992–1993 season, he played for the Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder (CHL), accumulating 16 points across 34 games. He had a breakout season in 1993–1994 as captain of the Huntsville Blast (ECHL), playing in 48 games, scoring 18 goals, 24 assists, and 350 PIMs, which led to his promotion to the Peoria Rivermen (IHL) later that season through the following year.
Between 1994 and 1996, Cavanagh played for the Dayton Bombers (ECHL) in 27 games, scoring 12 points. He joined the Nashville Knights (ECHL) for 20 games, contributing nine points. He also appeared in one game for the Atlanta Knights that season and briefly returned to the Dayton Bombers in the 1996–1997 season before retiring from professional hockey.
Business career
[edit]Following his playing career, Cavanagh transitioned into business, focusing on youth hockey development and ice sports facility management. In 1990, he founded Cavanagh's Development Hockey Program, which operated in multiple locations across North America. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, increased travel restrictions impacted the program's operations, so he exited that business and began his work in transforming ice rinks and hockey programs to create a cradle-to-pro hockey connection in the Norfolk, Virginia area.
He purchased the Arc Ice Sports facility in 2003 and rebranded it as Chilled Ponds Ice Sports Complex. That same year, he restructured the Hampton Roads Whalers, a youth hockey program based in Virginia. In 2006, he acquired the Southeast Junior Hockey Franchise in the Continental Hockey League (CHL), which allowed him to build one of the few full-cycle hockey programs in the U.S.
The Hampton Roads Whalers went undefeated in their first season in the Southeast Junior Hockey League and won two regional championships in 2007 and 2008. The franchise became part of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) in 2010 and won championships in 2016, 2018, and 2019. In 2018, the program became the first to win both the Premier and Elite league championships in the same season.
Cavanagh was hired in 2010 to renovate and restructure the Rec Zone ice rink in Raleigh, NC. After purchasing the facility in 2012, he renamed it Raleigh Center Ice and completely renovated it to meet the Carolina Hurricanes practice needs. He also upgraded the infrastructure, equipment, and programming to increase usage for public skating, youth/adult hockey, university hockey, and figure skating programs. He sold the rink to a local entity managing multiple ice facilities in 2016.
Today, Chilled Ponds Ice Sports Complex houses youth and Junior Hockey teams and serves as a practice facility for the Norfolk Admirals, as well as the Tide Water Figure Skating Club.
In January 2023, he expanded the Chilled Ponds brand by acquiring the Hampton Roads Iceplex, renaming it Chilled Ponds at Yorktown Sports Complex.[3][5]
Norfolk Admirals ownership
[edit]Cavanagh acquired the Norfolk Admirals (ECHL) in 2019[1][6] , which is one of the longest-standing franchises in the ECHL. Under his ownership, the team has seen increased attendance and community support. The team was affiliated with the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes and AHL's Chicago Wolves from 2020 to 2024. In 2024, the Admirals affiliated with the NHL's Winnipeg Jets and AHL's Manitoba Moose.
He has also been an advocate for the development of a new arena in Norfolk.
Awards
[edit]- 150 Most Influential Leaders List in Coastal Virginia by Coastal Virginia Magazine and CoVaBIZ Magazine – 2025
- Tom Fergusson Memorial Award - The Norfolk Sports Club – 2025
- Hampton Roads Top 25 Power List – Inside Business, Virginia Pilot – 2024
- Norfolk Admirals ECHL All-Star Game Host – 2023
- Chilled Ponds Distinguished Business of the Year – York County Economic Development & Tourism – 2023
- USPHL National Championships – United States Premier Hockey League (2016, 2018, 2019)
- Top 40 Under 40 – Hampton Roads Top Entrepreneurs – 2004
Personal life
[edit]Cavanagh is married to Anita Cavanagh, who is involved in his business ventures. His son, Regen Cavanagh, was a professional Norfolk Admirals hockey player and a former Utica College player. He retired in 2024 and is currently a hockey director with Chilled Ponds. His other son, Nolan Cavanagh, played hockey at Lebanon Valley College before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 2022.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Norfolk Admirals introduce former player as new owner". June 25, 2019.
- ^ "As Admirals limp to the finish line, a former player is interested in buying the team". April 4, 2019.
- ^ a b "EX-PRO HOCKEY PLAYER HAS PLANS FOR ICE RINK IN HAMPTON ROADS". scholar.lib.vt.edu.
- ^ https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/14/sports/hockey-rangers-prospect-packs-a-fistful-of-ambitions.html
- ^ "Chilled Ponds Yorktown Celebrates $2 Million Renovation and Grand Reopening". Williamsburg Yorktown Daily. November 12, 2024.
- ^ "Comeback hockey season a fresh start for Admirals, surrounding businesses". News 3 WTKR Norfolk. October 22, 2021.