Former Dubuque Fighting Saint Tallys an Assist in His NHL Debut

When I first took over Eagle 102.3, I had the unique opportunity to pick-up and air our local Dubuque Fighting Saints games. Being a local fan, it didn't take much convincing to begin what has been an amazing and rewarding partnership. The Saints continue to bring in stellar hockey players year after year. These players have not only taken part in national junior tournaments for the United States, but have been drafted across many, many years by NHL teams.

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In the radio stations first year of broadcasting games, fans became quite familiar of one particular player. This player is not only the Dubuque Fighting Saints all-time leading scorer (among other Saints records), but has just capped his first NHL career game. He even made an impact of the bench for Ottawa. I'm talking about former Dubuque Fighting Saint great Stephen Halliday.

Watching Halliday step onto the ice in an Ottawa Senators sweater for the first time officially was a mix of nerves and excitement. The kind you only get when a kid with local roots finally cracks the big league. He logged just over five minutes across nine shifts, but made every second count. One assist, one blocked shot, and he was right in the thick of it on both ends.

As he plays more, his presence on the forecheck will be increasingly noticeable, using that long reach and big frame to disrupt plays, force turnovers, and keep the puck cycling in Ottawa’s zone. Even in a short stint, you could see that same patient, deceptive style that made him a standout in Dubuque. I mean, he does hold the Saints record with 123 career assists, so starting your NHL career with one isn't half bad at all.

Halliday also took a few draws, going one-for-three in the circle. And when the final horn sounded, Ottawa came out on top 3-2 over Anaheim. It’s a small sample, but for anyone who watched him in Dubuque, it was no surprise that Halliday made his mark immediately. This is a guy who’s continued to work across the USHL, college, and the AHL, and now he’s taken his shot at the NHL, at 23 years old. For local fans, it’s a moment worth savoring; another one of our very own Fighting Saints proves that patience, smarts, and hard work can get you all the way to the top.