Tragedy Strikes The Hockey Community Following Passing Of Former Defenceman

The hockey community is mourning the loss of Connie 'Mad Dog' Madigan, as revealed by NHL coach and broadcaster Don Cherry on social media.

Madigan, aged 89, played a brief stint in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues but achieved legendary status in the old WHL with the Portland Buckaroos.

Notably, he holds the unique record of being the oldest rookie in NHL history, making his debut at 38 in January 1973.

Renowned for his tough playing style, Madigan earned the moniker 'Mad Dog' by accumulating fighting majors and becoming the 2nd all-time leader in minor league penalty minutes upon his return in 1976. His journey, depicted in this YouTube video, showcases his impactful career:


Hailing from Port Arthur, Ontario, Madigan started his pro career in 1958 after playing junior hockey in his hometown. Over the course of his career, he amassed impressive stats: 97 goals, 503 points, and a remarkable 1,846 penalty minutes in 806 WHL games.

Expressing his condolences, Don Cherry, also known as Grapes, remembered Mad Dog as one of the toughest players he encountered:



Cherry's tweet further reflects the sentiment of the hockey world, remembering Mad Dog as a true warrior of the game.

As seen on hawksinsider