When you bring up hockey and the name Legaarden, many people think of goals scored and many other goals that were set up.
Cade Legaarden started his journey of next level hockey with the Parkland U15 Rangers in the 2020-21 season. It was one that was cut very short because of the pandemic; however, Cade was off to a great start with one goal and one assist in five games. Legaarden then returned to the team the following season and after posting 25 points in 30 regular season games, the star from Grandview took his game to the next level in the playoffs. Across five games, Cade scored four times while adding four assists to average well more than a point per game.
Cade then made the jump up to the U18 level where he scored four goals and had seven points in 43 games. Then again, Cade took the next step just as he did the year prior with the U15 team.
Legaarden is now in his fourth season with the Rangers program and it has been his best to date as the 2023-24 season slowly comes to a close for the club. While Parkland has just 13 wins this year and are very unlikely to qualify for the playoffs, Cade believes being a Ranger is a true honour.
"It means a lot to be the Parkland Ranger, to get the chance to live at home and play at this high level in front of our amazing fans, it's always a great feeling," said Legaarden. "The season for sure hasn't gone the way we would have hoped, but when we put in a full 60 minutes, I believe we can compete with anyone and we have shown that on several occasions."
With 15 goals and 15 assists in 39 games this year, Cade finds himself second in team scoring, only behind Hayden Seib. Legaarden has proved throughout the season that he can be a game changer and he's looking forward to continuing to grow as he looks to play at the next level after his days as a Ranger are done.
"It's been a confidence thing this year, I'm feeling confident on the ice and confident in my abilities," offered Legaarden. "I also have to give a lot of the credit to my teammates and coaches, without them, I wouldn't be able to do what I am doing out on the ice."
Legaarden will be back on the ice this weekend when Parkland plays on home ice Saturday and Sunday against the Winnipeg Bruins. Parkland has just six games left in the regular season and Cade is looking forward to making the most of them.
"The mindset is just leaving everything out on the ice, we need to play a full 60 minutes each night," said Legaarden. "We're still pushing and our goal is to win as many games as we can the rest of the way. We want to show the league that we are for real."
While Cade focuses on his play with Parkland and becoming the best player that he can, he is also keeping track of the Winkler Flyers as that's where his brother Jayce is playing. Jayce is tied for fith in Flyers scoring with 33 points and he is a former Ranger all-star that scored 46 goals in the 2021-22 season.
"He has worked hard for everything he has got," said Legaarden. "It's good for him, I'm proud of him and I hope he can keep it going."
Just like his brother, Cade's goal is to play at the next level and he knows he will have to continue pushing.
"I have to get stronger and faster," ended Legaarden. "My work ethic has to always stay as high as possible and I can never stop, it's all about giving it all I have every single second on and off the ice."
