Throwback Thursday: Mike Cavanaugh (Bowdoin '90) and Trinity 2008 opener

Terry Meagher and Mike Cavanaugh in 1989-90 season

Social media outlets, ever the forum for historical perspective and alliteration, have a tradition of #ThrowbackThursdays, when users post pictures or videos of yesteryear on Thursdays (though hipsters might post with the hashtag on Wednesday).

This week we have a picture, courtesy of Bowdoin College via Benet Pols, of new UConn coach Mike Cavanaugh with Bowdoin coach Terry Meagher from Cavanaugh's senior season as a Polar Bear in 1989-90. On the video front, we have Trinity College's version of ESPN, "TSPN," and their coverage of the then defending NESCAC champion Bantams' 2008-09 season opener against Amherst.

Mike Cavanaugh 
A few weeks ago, the University of Connecticut hired Bowdoin alum Mike Cavanaugh ('90) as their men's hockey coach. Cavanaugh, a longtime assistant to living legend Jerry York at Boston College, joins Quinnipiac's Rand Pecknold (Conn College '90), as NESCAC men's hockey alumni currently coaching at the Division 1 level. 

Cavanaugh was a three-year ice hockey letterman for the Polar Bears, serving as captain in his senior season (1989-90). In this pic from 89-90, Cavanaugh stands next to his coach, 30 year (and current) Bowdoin bench boss Terry Meagher. The Bowdoin jersey has what one must assume is a snarling Polar Bear on it, but from the pic the animal looks more like a Jaguar. 

In the second pic, we have placed 2013 Meagher next to Cavanaugh from his UConn presser. Terry still likes to sport the athletic jacket outfit while Mike has traded in his snarling Polar Bear threads for a look that is more professional but has less hair. 

In addition to hockey, Cavanaugh captained and played wide receiver for Bowdoin football. After graduating, Cavanaugh spent one year in England as a player/coach for the British Hockey League's Richmond Flyers. Cavanaugh had 99 points (62-37-99) in 28 games with the Flyers.

Meagher/Cavanaugh now

When he returned stateside, Cavanaugh spent a year as an assistant at Belmont Hill School in 1991-92, before earning a master's degree in sports management from Bowling Green as part of Jerry York's BGU staff in 92-93. After two years as an assistant coach at Dartmouth, he followed York to BC, where Cavanaugh remained as an assistant coach for 18 seasons - the last nine coming under the title of associate head coach - until the UConn hiring.

In 2013 the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) gave him the Terry Flannagan Award for career achievement as an assistant coach in college hockey. 

During his time at BC, Cavanaugh saw a Hobey Baker Award winner, four NCAA titles, ten Frozen Four appearances, 22 All-Americans and  27 Golden Eagles enter the NHL. This past season he coached Mike Matheson, a 2012 NHL first round draft pick and brother of Hamilton's Kenny Matheson. 

Read More: UConn Huskies - - Mike Cavanaugh Named Men's Ice Hockey Coach 

Trinity 2008-09 Opener 
In 2008, sixth seeded Trinity became the lowest seed to ever win a NESCAC men's ice hockey championship. In order to do so, the Bantams defeated third seed Bowdoin in the quarterfinals, top seed Colby in the semifinals and second seed Middlebury in the finals. As an automatic qualifier for the NCAA tournament, Trinity defeated UMass-Dartmouth (who Bowdoin beat in this year's NCAA tourney) in the first round but lost to Elmira in the quarterfinals.

The following fall, the defending NESCAC champions opened their season against the Amherst Lord Jeffs at home on Friday November 21, 2008. Trinity Sports Network, or TSPN - a play on the name of nearby Bristol, CT organization ESPN - did a highlight and fan reaction video for the game. Highlights of the first two periods are set to AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" and feature Trinity sporting some nifty gold jerseys with a large Bantam figure. They also show the Bantams three goals and no love loss between Trinity and the Lord Jeffs.

After the second period, host Joey Roberts talks to Trinity football and baseball players about the 3-3 game headed into the "third quarter." (whoops) Most of the commentary centers around the Mighty Ducks, including Bantam shortstop Kevin Collins imploring Trinity to use the flying V and cornerback Mike O'Connor asking, "What exactly is the Junior Goodwill Games?" 

Trinity first baseman Kent Graham feels confident his beloved Bantams will pull it out in the third period. Amherst, the eventual 2009 NESCAC champions, would win 5-3 on two third period goals. Jonathan La Rose, of 2012 D-III National Player of the Year fame, got the win in net for the Lord Jeffs.