NEWS

Ontario Junior Hockey League resident writer Ron Valentine is profiling the 2022-23 team captains of The OJ. (Photo by Tim Bates / OJHL Images)

BY RON VALENTINE

Oakville native Cameron Garvey will return as captain of the Collingwood Blues for 2022-23 – his final season in the OJHL. 

It was a disappointing 2021-22 season for Guelph Storm draft pick as he sustained an injury at the Governors’ Showcase and ended up playing just 32 regular season games in which he put up 27 points. Three of his 13 goals were game winners. He was not able to participate in any of the club's four playoff games. 

Cam started his OJHL career with the Oakville Blades, in his first full season in 2019-20 putting up 37 points in 49 contests.

"It was a tough season for me,” noted the returning captain, "I suffered a freak accident at the Showcase in Cobourg and then another injury late in the season against Aurora and that was hard. I had lots of rehab and I'm really just ready to go now for the new season."

"We had a good regular season (a second-place finish in the North with 29 wins and 63 points) then in the best of three playoffs we got past the Tigers in two straight before we went down to Pickering. Against Aurora the first game was an OT decision in which we could easily have come out on top and then they shut us out 3-0 in the second one. It was good to see the Panthers go to the Centennial Cup but you are always left with the feeling that that could have been us!"

"Last season we went through a lot with players out, the COVID-19 pandemic and a coaching change. Just after the Christmas break, Andrew Campoli moved up from assistant coach. `` We were all used to the system but he put some new things in place and it was good to have a new voice in charge behind the bench who could continue to implement our style and help us get better."

"Going into my second season as club captain I think I will feel a little more comfortable especially with a lot of our players having had that year to adjust to the style and pace of Junior hockey. Our roster is really shaping up and we have added some new players who will really help us become a much deeper club. We now have goalie Julian Molinaro for a great 1-2 punch with Noah (Pak) and Owen Sclisizzi joining us from the (Mississauga) Chargers and Carter Diceman and Justin Legault  coming from the (Toronto) Patriots, as well as a defenceman Jack Robertson, who we got from Brantford.” 

“I really think Spencer Young is going to be a breakthrough player for us. He is a super hard-working guy who is really going to come into his own." (The Elmira native had 11 points in 34 games last season).

"Dylan Hudon is returning to the club he was one of the assistant captains last season but there will be a lot of players with experience that can help out in the dressing room. We were really helped last year by the amazing fans in Collingwood, it's a great place to play hockey; the atmosphere in the arena is really something. I'm looking forward to getting to play at Sixteen Mile in Oakville) this season as I played all my minor hockey from Tyke up in the Oakville organization and I was injured last season in the two games we played against the Blades."

"I see myself as a hard-working guy who can get the job done in all situations. I like to play physical hockey and I think I have a decent shot as well as being a two-way player. An NCAA Division 1 scholarship is my goal after junior. I have had some contact with some schools but not playing a full year did not help me. I don't have a lot of personal goals this season, although it would be nice to make one of the All-Star teams. I'm looking forward to playing teams from the other conference this season, it means more travelling for us though. I've been in the gym a lot during the summer and also I've been taking on-line courses through Western (University in London ON) and I've been working as well for about 10 hours each week. I feel I'm really ready to go."

Hudon, a returning forward from Rockwood ON, put up 25 points last season. Ayden Dooley from Orillia, ON has also been given an  'A''. He had 24 points in 48 games in 2021-22.

Head Coach Andrew Campoli on No. 91: "Cam exudes character, talent, will, empathy and leadership, which is why he will retain the captaincy for the 2022-23 season. Not only does he support his teammates but he is always ready and willing to get involved in our amazing community. Cam is a tremendous competitor and he doesn't shy away from getting into the 'dirty' areas to ensure the job gets done. We're in good hands."

Look for Cam to put up some much higher numbers this season but more importantly lead the way on and off the ice.

Follow Ron Valentine on Twitter @ronandlynda