Interview #6- Cameron Heath

Cameron Heath is an American professional hockey player for the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL. Heath, a defenseman, was a star player at Canisus College, he is currently sitting at second of all time in career defenseman goals for NCAA D1. Heath, an all around talent, has made quite an impact in South Carolina, and has recently resigned with the team for the upcoming season! With loads of potential and a great work ethic, Heath is one of the ECHL's most looked at youngsters.

The Cameron Heath Interview

1. What was your youth career like?

I was always a middle of the road player. I played AAA hockey my entire life and I was always an average player. I played for Belle Tire, Little Caesar’s and Honey Baked and was on some very successful teams. However, I was not a major contributor. The biggest step in my hockey career was making the transition to play high school hockey at Cranbrook Kingswood in Michigan. For me it was the right choice because there were more practices and more time for me to develop my skills and mature physically.

2. How were you recruited by Canisius College?
 Every persons hockey journey is different and mine was no exception. My first year of juniors I played for the Youngstown phantoms and then the Kalamazoo k-wings. I played only 2 regular season games before I sustained a season ending knee injury. From there I decided to play hockey on the east coast in the USPHL, which is now the NCDC, for the Pal Junior Islanders and the New Jersey Hitmen. My first season in the USPHL I took a list of D1 hockey schools that I thought would be a good fit academically and athletically. I emailed the coaching staff for each of those schools introducing myself and I also attached game film. Canisius was the second school to email me back and from there they came to watch me play several games. I then was offered a scholarship and took a visit and thought I would fit perfectly at Canisius.


3. Describe your career at Canisius? What did playing there teach you as a player?
Playing college hockey taught me how to manage my time and priorities. Being a college athlete is a major sacrifice that a lot of people do not understand. It is difficult to juggle school, hockey and a social life. However, it taught me how to focus on what matters most. I cherish my 4 years of college and wouldn’t change anything. As a player it taught me to become more balanced. Your opponents often take away your biggest strength; you have to adjust and contribute in other ways to help your team. The game is a lot faster as well and I learned to be quick but patient.

4. How did you feel after signing your first contract with the South Carolina Stingrays?
It was a special feeling. My dream was always to play Division 1 college hockey and I never really thought about playing professional hockey until around my sophomore year. I was able to play 15 games with South Carolina after my senior season at Canisius finished. I learned so much from the veterans about how to carry yourself like a professional and how to treat your body so you can perform your best over a long season.

5. What drives you to get better every day?
What drives me is that everyday some hockey player is out there in the world and we have the exact same skill set. He is as fast as me as strong as me and wants the same spot that I want. My job is to out work that player wherever he is and to continually get better every single day. If I do not push myself to give everything I have day in and out I am cheating my teammates, my coaches and myself.

6. Did you face any challenges to get to where you are now, if so how did you persevere?
The knee surgery I had that cut my first year of juniors short was the most adversity I faced. It was hard watching all my friends and teammates play while I was not able to be out there. What helped me was taking it one day at a time and making a daily goal. I was out for 8 months total but over that time, I was able to watch a lot of hockey, grow and come back to play at a level that was better than I was before the injury.

7. What do you like most about the sport of hockey?
I like the competition. It’s a game that has that combination of skill and physicality that appeals to me. I love the challenge that hockey brings. I also love the community around hockey. The closest people in my life are largely people I have met through hockey.

8. What do you like most about the sport of hockey?
I like the competition. It’s a game that has that combination of skill and physicality that appeals to me. I love the challenge that hockey brings. I also love the community around hockey. The closest people in my life are largely people I have met through hockey.

9. Do you look up to a player in the NHL if so who?
When I was young my favorite player was Sergei Federov because of how great of a skater he was. Now that I’m older I don’t have a favorite player that I follow. I play defense now and there are so many great defensemen to watch and learn from in the NHL. I watch a lot of them and try to pick up little things to help my game

10. If you had to make a 3v3 team of you and two other people, who would be on your team?
Mcdavid and Crosby. That way I could just get the puck to them and get out of the way. 

11. Describe yourself in three words. 
Competitive, organized, resilient

12. Go to snack on the road? 
I’m trying to be healthier but twizzlers have always been my weakness. 

13. Bauer or CCM?
Bauer!


14. Favorite song?
It really depends on my mood because I do listen to all types of music. I would have to say the  24K magic by Bruno Mars. We had that as our win song in college and we had a long streak with it. Every time I hear it it makes me laugh and reminisce

15. Favorite song?
It really depends on my mood because I do listen to all types of music. I would have to say the  24K magic by Bruno Mars. We had that as our win song in college and we had a long streak with it. Every time I hear it it makes me laugh and reminisce

16. If you could travel back in time where would you go?
I would go back in time and meet my dads father because I never had a chance to meet him.

17. If you could eat dinner with three celebrities and talk about anything and everything, who would they be?
Kobe Bryant, Pat McAfee and Paul Bissonnette. I would talk to Kobe Bryant about his process and what makes him tick as a player. Pat Mcafee is an ex punter who now runs a very successful podcast and business. Bissonnette played in the NHL and now hosts spittin chiclets. It would be awesome to hear their life stories but it would also be a hilarious conversation.

18. Any advice for kids trying to go pro?
From a hockey perspective I would just recommend practicing everything with your head up. The most important piece of advice I would give is to be coachable. It’s such an easy trait that you don’t see as much in sports anymore. Have a desire to get better, welcome criticism, ask questions and listen. Also don’t rush and worry about the future, live in the moment.

19. Any last words for the readers?
Have fun with whatever sport you are playing. It’s a journey but it is a game so have fun, work hard and enjoy the ride.

Interview by Michael Dailey

Gigantic thank you to Cameron for the amazing interview! Keep rocking it out on the ice! Really great player, and person! Best of luck in your future!

photo via https://gogriffs.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5147