Living the dream

Cassivi finally reaches NHL glory in grand style

Amid the din of playoff races and with the regular-season stretch drive as a backdrop, one man seized an opportunity to experience something he had thought about for a long time. Or, maybe more accurately, had thought about a long time ago -- 265 minor league games ago to be exact. That was Frederic Cassivi's resume before last week. In his seventh season of pro hockey and nary a nod at the NHL level. Talk about your lengthy apprenticeship.

Yet, for one glorious week, Cassivi stepped out from his role as perennial understudy and took center stage. OK, so his first NHL appearance qualifies as off Off-Broadway, entering in a relief role for injured starter Milan Hnilicka for the third-year Atlanta Thrashers as they toiled against the Lightning in Tampa Bay. The second shot he faced slipped between his pads -- a sign of his later admitted nervousness. Who could blame him? If nothing else, the build-up from the duration of anticipation -- in the moment -- must have been overwhelming.

Cassivi said he was able to get his emotions under control by focusing on two things: the very real ideal that he 'had nothing to lose' and that instead of getting bogged down by who he was facing, just remembering it was 'still the same puck'. The one he had faced since becoming a goaltender at the age of 10.

That proved to be a healthy mantra later in the week. Thrashers head coach Curt Fraser told Cassivi that his first NHL start would be on Friday. At Madison Square Garden. Against the star-studded roster of the New York Rangers -- a lineup including Pavel Bure, Eric Lindros, Theo Fleury and Brian Leetch -- with their playoff existence hanging in the balance.

True, it may be the same six ounces of vulcanized rubber, but the shot-stopping setting had changed dramatically. No American Hockey League outpost this time, no sir. His inaugural NHL start would take place at the most famous arena in the world. No matter.

Cassivi convincingly clung to the comforting fib -- "it's the puck, not the shooters... it's the puck not the shooters" -- stopping 33 of 35 Blueshirt attempts, backstopping a spirited Thrashers effort in a stunning 5-2 victory. One start, one victory.

As great as the game was, the moment swept me away. Maybe it brought back fond memories in a sentimental flood because my first NHL win likewise came during my first trip to MSG. More so, though, Cassivi's accomplishment resonates with me because my career was exactly the opposite, giving me a keen appreciation of the enormity of his struggle.

I cruised from Cornell to Team Canada in 1984 to the Los Angeles Kings with only six AHL games in between. After relative success in the NHL as a rookie, I failed to define and establish my game at the top level, winding up in the minors after the fact. Facing my fourth organization in four seasons and the prospect of signing a minor league contract, I 'fessed up that my dream had come and gone. My chance to deliver NHL-caliber consistency was behind me. I decided, so to was playing.

Alternatively, after the Ottawa Senators drafted Cassivi in the 1994 entry draft, he slugged it out, enduring nearly eight years of wondering and waiting in all. Given my 'reverse career path,' I was truly taken by his first-ever NHL win at Madison Square Garden and what went into making it a reality.

The patience, perseverance, resolve and motivation to keep the dream alive is awe-inspiring. As a player, when you are part of the mire that is the minors, you are trapped in a love/hate conundrum -- you cling to your love of the game, while developing a hated of the business side. The strongest few persevere and emerge to find big-league pleasure.

As pleasurable as Friday night's win was, 24 hours after his smashing starting debut on Broadway, Cassivi was in position to deliver the ultimate encore. The Ottawa Senators originally drafted Cassivi and he plied his trade in anonymity and obscurity in their organization for four seasons. His father Real and brother Daniel made the two-hour drive from northeastern Quebec to see him in a NHL uniform. They witnessed that and more.

Cassivi stole the show and ultimately, the game. Outshot by the staggering count of 52-15 -- 22-1 in the first period alone -- Cassivi brought the house down. Yes, Lady Luck made a timely and necessary late-game appearance, with the Sens bouncing three pucks off the iron and sending another behind Cassivi and out the other side with 4 seconds remaining in regulation time. And Calder-lock Dany Heatley had a goal and assist, providing the margin of victory with the OT game winner. Still, there was no mistaking who was the man of the hour.

For underdogs, journeymen and victims of naysayers everywhere, finally, Frederic Cassivi stood alone in the spotlight.

Darren Eliot, a former NHL goaltender, is a hockey analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com.

 

Related information
Multimedia
Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.