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Paul Cavallini

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Paul Cavallini
Born (1965-10-13) October 13, 1965 (age 59)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Left
Played for Washington Capitals
St. Louis Blues
Dallas Stars
NHL draft 205th overall, 1984
Washington Capitals
Playing career 1986–1995

Paul Edward Cavallini (born October 13, 1965) is a Canadian former ice hockey defenceman. He is the younger brother of former player Gino Cavallini, who was his teammate for several years with the St. Louis Blues. In 564 NHL games, Cavallini scored 56 goals and 177 assists.

Early life

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Cavallini was born on October 13, 1965, in Toronto, Ontario[1] to Italian immigrants Phyllis and Rino Cavallini.[2]

Playinng career

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High school and college

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Cavallini graduated from Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School before enrolling at Providence College for his college ice hockey career.[3] Prior to joining the Providence Friars men's ice hockey team, Cavallini was drafted in the 10th round, 205th overall, by the Washington Capitals in the 1984 NHL entry draft.[4] Between graduating and joining the Friars, Cavallini lost 20 pounds and began his freshman season at 205.[5] Cavallini helped the Friars advance to the 1985 NCAA National Championship against the RPI Engineers and scored the team's sole goal in their 2–1 loss.[6] He was also named to the All-Freshman Team.[7] Due to his impressive freshman season, Cavallini was recruited by Dave King to join the Candadian Olympic hockey program.[5][8] Despite leaving college early, Cavallini took courses at the University of Waterloo to finish his degree.[3]

Professional

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Despite signing a three-year contract with the Canadian Olympic hockey program,[5] Cavallini chose to turn professional in 1986 and signed a contract with the Washington Capitals.[9] He was subsequently assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Binghamton Whalers and made his debut on March 7, 1986. As his equipment had not arrived in time for the game, he used the stick of a teammate instead.[10]

After playing parts of two seasons with the Capitals, Cavallini was traded to the St. Louis Blues where he would spend almost six seasons including his best campaign, the 1989–90 season. He played in the 1990 All-Star game and led the league in plus/minus rating that season. He then returned to the Capitals for a second tour during the 1992–93 NHL season in a trade that sent Kevin Miller to the Blues. Cavallini would once again be traded by the Capitals, this time to the Dallas Stars where he would play until his retirement a few weeks into the 1995–96 NHL season.[11]

Cavallini missed 13 games during the 1990–91 season with a left index finger injury after blocking a slapshot from Doug Wilson. The force of Wilson's shot severed the tip of Cavallini's finger. Cavallini found the tip of the finger inside his glove. Doctors hoped they could re-attach the tip in surgery, but their efforts failed. The piece of the finger was removed and the exposed bone covered with grafted skin. Cavallini did not return to action until St. Louis' January 25, 1991, game at Detroit. He scored a goal in that game.

Awards and honors

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Award Year
All-Hockey East Rookie Team 1984–85 [12]

Career statistics

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    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1981–82 Dixie Beehives OPJHL 5 1 1 2 7 — — — — —
1982–83 Henry Carr Crusaders MetJHL 35 6 16 22 191 — — — — —
1983–84 Henry Carr Crusaders MetJHL 54 20 41 61 190 — — — — —
1984–85 Providence College HE 45 5 14 19 64 — — — — —
1985–86 Canada Intl 52 1 11 12 95 — — — — —
1985–86 Binghamton Whalers AHL 15 3 4 7 20 6 0 2 2 56
1986–87 Washington Capitals NHL 6 0 2 2 8 — — — — —
1986–87 Binghamton Whalers AHL 66 12 24 36 188 13 2 7 9 35
1987–88 Washington Capitals NHL 24 2 3 5 66 — — — — —
1987–88 St. Louis Blues NHL 48 4 7 11 86 10 1 6 7 26
1988–89 St. Louis Blues NHL 65 4 20 24 128 10 2 2 4 14
1989–90 St. Louis Blues NHL 80 8 39 47 106 12 2 3 5 20
1990–91 St. Louis Blues NHL 67 10 25 35 89 13 2 3 5 20
1991–92 St. Louis Blues NHL 66 10 25 35 95 4 0 1 1 6
1992–93 St. Louis Blues NHL 11 1 4 5 10 — — — — —
1992–93 Washington Capitals NHL 71 5 8 13 46 6 0 2 2 18
1993–94 Dallas Stars NHL 74 11 33 44 82 9 1 8 9 4
1994–95 Dallas Stars NHL 44 1 11 12 28 5 0 2 2 6
1995–96 Dallas Stars NHL 8 0 0 0 6 — — — — —
NHL totals 564 56 177 233 750 69 8 27 35 114

References

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  1. ^ "Paul Cavallini". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  2. ^ Lucking, Dave (January 21, 1990). "Lean Machine: All-Star Cavallini No Fat Cat (continued)". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved July 27, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b Nichols, Steve (June 11, 1989). "Education very important Cavallini tells students". Etobicoke Guardian. Retrieved July 27, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "10th Round". The Times-Transcript. June 11, 1984. Retrieved July 27, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c Duhatschek, Eric (August 21, 1985). "Cavallini bloodline runs true to form". Calgary Herald. Retrieved July 27, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Koepke, Neil (March 31, 1985). "RPI wins NCAA". The Bay City Times. Retrieved July 27, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Hockey East All-Stars". The Boston Globe. March 16, 1985. Retrieved July 27, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Olympic recruit has easy choice". Calgary Herald. May 28, 1985. Retrieved July 27, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Quinn, Steve (March 14, 1986). "Flyers sign right wing; will join team Saturday". Gloucester County Times. Retrieved July 27, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Whalers triumph". Press and Sun-Bulletin. March 8, 1986. Retrieved July 27, 2025 – via newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Stars' Cavallini retires - UPI Archives". UPI. November 7, 1995. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  12. ^ "Hockey East All-Rookie Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Winner of the NHL Plus/Minus Award
1990 		Succeeded by
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