Jets goaltender Chris Mason missed practice on Tuesday to be with his wife, who is expected to give birth soon. So, short a goaltender, the team turned to Joe Caligiuri, who plays for the nearby University of Manitoba Bisons.
Caligiuri's sister is the team's communications coordinator, but it was more than just family connections that earned him the gig. The 22-year-old Winnipeg resident played junior hockey in the WHL for three years before heading back to school, and he competes against many former CHL players in the Canada West university league.
And of course, he wasn't going to let a Wednesday morning geography class stop him from seizing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"It was a dream growing up to play at this level and to do it for a day was [wonderful,]" Caliguri said.
But, as the article indicates, several Jets players delighted in attacking the newcomer's weaknesses.
"[Jets center Brian] Little was scoring at will," laughed Caliguri, who is sure to be the big man on campus for a little while.
Photo via YFrog.
