Returning to his roots

Dave Cameron returns to lead Ottawa 67's and Team Canada

KILDARE CAPES, P.E.I. – Familiarity, trust, two solid organizations and some unfinished business all played significant roles in Dave Cameron’s return to junior hockey.

On July 21, Cameron, who coached the Vienna Capitals professional team in Austria the last three years, was named head coach of the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Ottawa 67’s and Team Canada for the 2022 world junior hockey championship.

“This all happened within the last six days,” Cameron told the SaltWire Network in a phone interview from his Kildare Capes home. “It just came out of nowhere, and it’s been a whirlwind for (my wife) Kelly and I.”

Cameron admitted the decision to return to North America was not an easy one. The Camerons wanted to make sure it was the right move because they love Vienna.

“Vienna is another great city and great organization,” said Cameron, who thanked the Capitals for letting him out of his contract.

Cameron said it was not easy calling Vienna general manager Franz Kalla to discuss the opportunities with the 67’s and Team Canada.

“(Kalla) was very, very supportive, and that made it a lot easier for me,” said Cameron, who described Kalla as a stellar person and a good friend.

TALKS

Cameron, 62, started talking to 67’s general manager James Boyd about the Ottawa job around July 14 or 15. At that point, the Camerons were

“probably still leaning” to return to Vienna.

Then the Hockey Canada opportunity came up a day or two later.

“That came out of nowhere and shocked me pleasantly,” said Cameron, who is excited and thrilled with the opportunity to coach Team Canada and the 67’s. “It was enough to sway Kelly and I’s decision that this is too good to pass up.”

Cameron is motivated to be back behind the bench at the world juniors in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta., Dec. 26, 2021, to Jan. 5, 2022.

In 2011, the Cameroncoached Team Canada collected a silver medal after Russia scored five unanswered third-period goals to erase a 3-0 lead after two periods in the gold-medal game.

“After the way it ended in Buffalo in 2011, the best way to describe it is there is a little bit of unfinished business there,” said Cameron. “It’s one of the most prestigious, highend coaching jobs in Canada.

“It really was a no-brainer. I think this will be my seventh Hockey Canada experience between the world juniors, under-18s and the world men’s championship. They do a great job, which makes it that much easier to say yes.”

Cameron travels to Calgary on July 25 for Team Canada’s summer development camp from July 28 to Aug. 4.

Cameron's objective of the summer camp is to begin the evaluation process of the team’s 51 hopefuls, which include two Charlottetown Islanders defencemen,

Lukas Cormier and William Trudeau.

Athletic therapist Kevin Elliott of Charlottetown is also part of Team Canada’s staff.

HISTORY

Cameron began his coaching career with the Summerside Western Capitals junior A franchise in 1985 and has 10 years of experience as head coach in the OHL. He enjoys working with the 16- to-20year-old players and helping them develop into young adults, on and off the ice. Add in the fact Boyd previously worked with Cameron as an assistant coach with Mississauga in the OHL, and there’s an immediate comfort level.

“You are working right away with a good person who is on the same page as you are,” said Cameron. “James and I have been in contact over the last few years, so I know what a great job the ownership of the 67’s have done, and how they have supported James and are (as) interested in the kids off the ice as they are on the ice, which is important to me.

“It was almost a perfect storm. Then throw in Hockey Canada under-20, and it was too good of an opportunity to pass up.”

Cameron’s predecessor with the 67’s and Team Canada is his good friend, André Tourigny, the new head coach of the Arizona Coyotes.

“First of all, I’m very excited that André got an NHL job because he’s an NHL coach,” said Cameron. “We’ve been in contact over the years.

“When you change jobs, you gather information on the team that you are joining. Certainly, a trusted guy like Andre and a trusted guy like James, I know how well run and operated the Ottawa 67’s are.”

Tourigny described Cameron’s appointment as fantastic news for the Ottawa players.

“Dave is one of the best humans I have ever met, and he’ll bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team,” said Tourigny in a media release issued by the 67's. “His track record speaks for itself, but it’s really Dave’s values as a person and coach that make this a phenomenal hiring.

“I’m truly excited about the 67’s future under the leadership of Dave Cameron and James Boyd.”

FAMILIAR WITH CITY

The Camerons are no strangers to Ottawa. Dave spent five years with the NHL’s Senators, including two years as head coach.

“It’s always important to where you live,” said Cameron. “It’s very important for Kelly, and she’s as well-connected in that city with her yoga practice, as I am.

“It’s certainly a win-win in terms of not only working with the right team and organization, but it also happens to be in a city that is Canada’s capital and a city that we are familiar with.”