Today’s blog focuses on the quality of play in the AJHL from the perspective of Cameron Newton, a player (hockey, not football!) who recently competed in that league. Cam is now a freshman student/athlete at Tufts University in New England. I reached out to Cam because he is a thoughtful young man who I had the pleasure to get to know when I coached him several years ago, and I felt strongly that his input would be valuable and sincere.He didn’t disappoint.
Cam obviously enjoyed his time there. As he stated, “Playing in Bonnyville was an experience that I will never forget. When I first arrived in the small town I was taken aback at just how committed and devoted the community was to our team. From discounts at multiple restaurants to the locals saying hi whenever they saw you, you really experience the feeling of being in a junior hockey town. At the rink, I was provided with all of the tools I needed to succeed in my journey to pursue college hockey. From all equipment needs to a great gym and rink, there was nothing more a player could ask for. My coaches, Rick Swan, Neil Langridge, and TJ Millar all helped me grow as a young man and player on the ice and I could not be more thankful for the help they gave me on my journey. Playing junior hockey was an experience that I will never forget and will cherish for the rest of my life.”
Cam grew up near Ann Arbor, Michigan, and played hockey for Little Caesars and Victory Honda in the Detroit area. Cam spent his midget major season playing for Victory Honda and Coach Brian Burke, who has an excellent reputation of moving players to higher levels of hockey. This turned out to be a very good move for Cam. Set to join the Surrey Eagles in the British Columbia Hockey League the following season, Cam was left without a hockey home when the coaches who recruited him at Surrey were fired just prior to what would have been Cam’s first season there. Enter Coach Burke, who utilized his contacts in steering Cam to the AJHL, where he played one season of junior hockey for Bonnyville before moving on to college hockey. Despite not knowing anyone in the league at the time, Cam chose the AJHL over several North American Hockey League opportunities due to his comfort level with the staff and facilities at Bonnyville.
Cam’s experience lead him to conclude that the league pushes college hockey over major juniors (although the league does have many players who already have played, or will play, at the major junior level). To his point, Bonnyville currently has 4 players committed to Division I programs. As a whole the AJHL currently has fifty-three players committed to play Division I hockey (sixty-eight college commitments overall).
I also asked Cam to present a picture of how the league prepared him for college hockey. First of all, the caliber of play in the AJHL left Cam very impressed. Cam described the league as physical in nature, with the speed of the game played at a very fast pace. To his point regarding the league’s quality, during this past season four AJHL teams were ranked in the CJHL top 20 (Canada’s nationwide Jr. A ranking system).
Second, Cam’s coaches left a huge impression on him. In describing the guidance he received, Cam stated, “The coaching I received in Bonnyville was top-tier. Rick Swan, Neil Langridge, and TJ Millar were all professionals who carried themselves with the utmost respect for the game. My coaches were very understanding and always wanted to help us improve as players on the ice. More importantly, though, they focused on our off-ice development and our ability to grow into young men. I feel this is an integral part of growing up that many coaches overlook. By taking the time to place emphasis on our character our coaches were able to create a winning atmosphere.”
The AJHL also is a good cost option for junior players. Cam informed me that the Pontiacs paid all of his expenses, including billet fees, equipment, and food at the billet house. He also described to me a very positive experience with his host family: “From day one, our coaches were an integral part of placing us in billet homes they thought would be a good fit and were always asking us how things were going.”
Thank you so much for your input Cam, and best of luck in your college career!