Barrhaven's Brett Madigan hits 40 mark

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Rosanne Lake

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Perth Blue Wing Brett Madigan earned his 40th goal of the season two weeks ago, matching a mark last set in the organization in the 1990s. The Barrhaven teen has more than doubled his scoring since last season.

Roseanne Lake

Perth Blue Wing Brett Madigan earned his 40th goal of the season two weeks ago, matching a mark last set in the organization in the 1990s. The Barrhaven teen has more than doubled his scoring since last season.

EMC sports - When Perth Blue Wing left winger Brett Madigan scored in the third-period against Stittsville last Friday, he celebrated with his teammates as he would for any other goal.

It wasn't until he was in the dressing room later that evening that head coach and general manager Hamish Fraser came in with news that caused the real celebration to begin.

That goal signified an important milestone for the 18-year-old from Barrhaven: his 40th of the season. He's one of only two players in the Valley Division of the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League to have grazed the 40 mark this season, sitting atop the standings with Arnprior's Derek Lowry. As of Sunday, Madigan has tallied 83 points for the team in total, breaking that down into 41 goals and 42 assists.

According to Fraser and former coach Jim Buchanan, Madigan is the only player to top 40 goals since the early 1990s, when Paul McLaughlin recorded such a season.

"I didn't expect that at all," said Madigan, who attends Algonquin College for accounting. "I was pretty surprised. It's cool to be able to contribute to the team that way."

Madigan said the greatest number of goals he's ever racked up prior to this year was 18.

"I don't know what made the difference this year, but we'll try to carry that into the playoffs," he said.

Fraser said Madigan is reliable and valuable on the ice.

"He's the best leader we have," said Fraser, noting that Madigan is the team's go-to guy. "He's dangerous on the ice."

Highlighting that for Madigan was a Dec. 16 game when he tallied six points against the Ottawa Junior Canadians. With four goals and two assists, Madigan helped his team to a 10-5 blowout.

In fact, there's been talk of Madigan returning to play for the Ottawa West Golden Knights next season, something which coach Fraser wishes wasn't the case.

"He desperately wants to win, and he's helped me this season, so of course if he wants to go back to Ottawa West we need to let him do that," said Fraser. "But I wish he didn't want to. He's a real asset."