From 730 CKDM
By Darnell Duff
The buzz was electric when he left the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League (WHL).
He was excited to be closer to family and friends. Most importantly, he was thrilled to join one of the most storied Junior A hockey programs. Cayden Glover played the first 115 games of his junior career in the WHL. The first 30 were with Medicine Hat before joining the Cougars. During his WHL tenure, the star from Brandon posted 13 goals.
When he came to Dauphin, all he did was score. In his 19-year-old season, Glover scored 20 goals and 48 points in 50 regular-season games. In the first round of the Turnbull Cup playoffs, Glover came to play with two goals and four assists.
This past season, Glover was on his way to achieving something no one in the league has for more than a decade. Jesse Sinatynski was the last player to score 50 or more goals in a season. He did it with the Kings in the 2011-12 season.
In just 38 games to start the season, Glover was on a tear, lighting up the league with a blistering 33 goals and leaving defenders in the dust. Then came January 31, a tough break against the Virden Oil Capitals. An untimely injury ended his regular season right there. But even sidelined for the final seven weeks, Glover’s name stayed near the top—he still finished second in league goal scoring, and it took more than three weeks for anyone to even catch him.
When the playoffs rolled around, he came back with purpose, picking up right where he left off, registering an assist in game one against Waywayseecappo and reminding everyone exactly who he is.
In 18 playoff games as Dauphin played in the league final, the sniper from Brandon had five goals and 12 points. He played his last game as a King on Thursday, May 1.
“Going to Dauphin was the best decision I have ever made,” said Glover. “I’ll cherish all the memories I made over the two years.”
The guys Cayden played with and how they bonded were two things he will never forget. While the season ended in heartbreak for Dauphin, Glover was proud of the group. Dauphin trailed the league final three games to one and faced elimination in game five. They won that game and came from behind to win game six.
In the end, Quincy Supprien scored in triple overtime in game seven as the two teams completed another marathon series. Dauphin showed fight. They never gave up. They gave the Blizzard everything they could handle and heavily outshot them in game seven. It wasn’t the ending they were hoping for. But the Kings could hold their heads high knowing they gave it their all.
“It was a one-shot game; it could have gone either way,” said Glover. “Being down three games to one and to force game seven is a big accomplishment. We fought so hard to get back in the series. I am very proud of all the guys. It’s something I will carry with me, being proud of the effort and fight.”
After the game, Cayden shared a special moment with his fellow graduates. Ethan Williment, Cole Sheffield, Naaman Hofer, and Matthew Haun all played their final games as a King that night. They sat together on the bench at Credit Union Place one final time and hugged each other at centre ice.
“You only get to play a few years of junior hockey,” said Glover. “We wanted to be together as we stepped off the junior ice for the last time.”
Glover will always remember his time in Dauphin and be grateful for the opportunity. Now, it’s time for the next chapter in his life. That chapter opens almost 2,500 kilometres from his hometown of Brandon. Glover has announced his committment to join the Niagara University Purple Eagles. A member of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), Glover will report to Lewiston, New York, in late August.
Glover was chatting with a few schools. He decided on Niagara because he liked how the coaching staff treated him, and they’re a very competitive program.
“It definitely has taken some weight off my shoulders, it’s been a long process,” continued Glover. “Waiting to see what will come and what doesn’t. Finally decided where I want to go, takes that weight off. It’s a special feeling.”
They went 22-7-1 last year and advanced to the national tournament.
While we won’t know for a few months how Cayden adapts to playing college hockey against grown men, he is ready for the challenge and ready to make his mark.
“It might take a bit to adjust. As long as I keep playing as I know I can, I should adjust well,” ended Glover. “I need to play quickly, use my shot, and hockey sense. I believe everything will work well.”
Cayden Glover. Forever a Dauphin King and soon, a Purple Eagle.
(Originally published at https://730ckdm.com/index.php/sports/sports/31212-goal-machine-the-cayden-glover-story-isn-t-finished-yet)
