Dedication. Discipline. Leadership. These are just a few words to describe Admirals legend Gino Cavallini. The native of Toronto spent three seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals (1993-96) during their tenure in the International Hockey League (IHL). In that time he was a role model for consistency, produced big time offensive numbers, and captained the team for two seasons.

Cavallini was an undrafted product of Bowling Green State’s hockey program. He was picked up by the Calgary Flames and would make his NHL debut for them during the 1984-85 season. His most prominent stint in the NHL was with the St. Louis Blues. In total, he played 454 games and produced 211 points (91 goals and 120 assists) over the course of seven seasons with the Blues before finishing off his NHL career with the Quebec Nordiques.

After his time in the NHL ended, Cavallini turned to the IHL to continue his professional hockey career. Enter the Milwaukee Admirals and some of the best season-to-season offensive numbers produced in team history. In three seasons he produced 248 points (139 goals and 109 assists) in 240 games.

In his first season with Milwaukee, 1993-94, Cavallini scored a new career high with 43 goals, 35 assists, and 78 points in a season. Not the type of player to only play one side of the puck, he also had the best plus-minus in that season that he had over the course of his entire career: +19.

His following 1994-95 campaign would prove the best statistical season of his professional career. He one-upped his career high in points with 88, set a new high in goals scored with 53, and maintained his career high for assists in a season with 35.

1995-96 would prove to be his last season as an Admiral. He played a full 82 game schedule, set a career high in assists with 39, and rounded things off with 43 goals for 82 points. He finished off his time in Milwaukee having scored more than a point per game. No Admiral player, IHL or AHL, has produced a 40 or more goal scoring season since Cavallini.

Although his time in Milwaukee might have been brief Cavallini made a large impact on and off the ice. He brought immediate leadership to the team upon his arrival. Gino was the Admirals captain from 1994-96, and was a professional that led his teammates by example through tireless hard work. This professionalism and playing career was honored by the Admirals when the team retired Cavallini’s #44 uniform.