Feb 3, 2010

Where Are They Now: Reid Cashman

Karen’s Print Rite presents an update on former Waterloo Black Hawks defenseman Reid Cashman.

A member of the first Black Hawks squad coached by P.K. O’Handley, Cashman was Waterloo’s fourth-leading scorer in 2002-2003.  In 56 games he scored five times, while assisting on 42 other goals.  Among defenseman in the league that season, only Mike Vannelli of Sioux Falls recorded as many points, while playing in four more games than Cashman.  After the season, Cashman was named to the All-USHL Second Team.

From the Black Hawks, Cashman moved on to Quinnipiac for four years.  He earned All-American honors three times and put his name one a variety of school single-season and career scoring records.  Moving into professional hockey after the 2006-2007 season, Cashman has played in the AHL and ECHL.  Currently a member of the Milwaukee Admirals, we asked Reid how a season of junior hockey helped him to where he is now.

Black Hawks: What was the most important lesson, on or off the ice, you took from your season in Waterloo?

Reid Cashman: Two lessons I learned from my time with the Black Hawks were you have to work everyday at the rink to get better.  Coach O’Handley and Coach Tok didn’t allow us to take days off or go through the motions and I’ve tried to bring that with me wherever I’ve gone.  The second is how to handle myself off the ice and act like a professional in the community.  They really developed me as a person off the ice as much as a player on the ice.
 
BH: You didn’t go more than three consecutive games without a point as a Black Hawk.  Why do you think you had so much offensive success?

RC: The coaches gave me a chance to play significant ice time.  My “D” partner Matt Maunu was a highly-skilled, puck-moving “D-man” whom I had chemistry with right away, and we played every game together.  And the last reason was our forwards.  I think most of my assists were just breaking the puck out to our forwards and they would do all the work.
 
BH: What would you call the highlight of that season?

RC: We had a 14-game win streak and we won a division title and a playoff series, but the best part of that season to me was the friends I made.  To this day I still keep in touch with a number of them.  We came together as a family that year and that’s something I'll never forget.
 
BH: How did you choose the Quinnipiac program?

RC: It just seemed like the right fit for me.  I had a great visit and felt at home immediately.  It gave me a chance to play great minutes as a freshman.  The program has grown so much since my first year, and I’m proud to see them in the top 10 this year in the nation.
 
BH: Being named a Hobey Baker Finalist, earning All-America honors, and writing you name all over the Bobcat record books, what do you feel was your biggest individual accomplishment in the NCAA?

RC: I was fortunate to have some success in college and blessed with great teammates around me.  My senior year, when I was named First Team All-American, is one I really shake my head when I think about it.  Also I think that reflected some of the growth Quinnipiac had made to have me be named.
 
BH: How has professional hockey compared with the college game?  Was there anything that surprised you?

RC: The amount of games is a big difference.  I went to playing 35 games to playing 80 games.  The depth of the teams is a big difference as well.  The rosters in the AHL are full of NHL talent and prospects, which makes it a challenge to play against every night.  I feel very blessed to call myself a pro hockey player, but it is a grind and the business side of the game took me by surprise when I started.
 
BH: Can you give us a sense of the difference in play between the ECHL and AHL?  Among the pro teams you have played for, where have you had the most fun?

RC: The big difference is the speed at which you need to make plays.  In the AHL everybody finishes checks and your decision making has to be split-second.  I’m really enjoying my time in Milwaukee right now.  It’s a great organization and the team we have gets along well.  We have potential to go a long way once playoffs roll around.
 
BH: What improvements would you like to make to your game in order to have the same sort of success in the AHL and beyond as you have had at every other stage in your career?

RC: I’m just working on being consistent at the AHL level.  I gained some confidence last year when I played significant ice time in the playoffs for Wilkes-Barre and I’m just trying to carry that into this year.  The competition for playing time is high so I need to make sure I take advantage of my opportunities.

Where Are They Now is presented by Karen’s Print Rite.  Special thanks to the Milwaukee Admirals.  Photo courtesy of Chris Jerina.