Senators Coaching Articles: Cameron will coach B-Sens; Ex-junior boss brings physical, defensive style
August 26, 2004

Posted by: Bob Howard
Credit: Scott Lauber of Press Connects.com

Cameron will coach B-Sens

Ex-junior boss brings physical, defensive style

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Press & Sun-Bulletin

Ray Emery knows Dave Cameron only from playing against his team in junior. But if those games are any indication, the Binghamton Senators' new coach will be well-prepared and hardly opposed to a physical brand of hockey.

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Cameron File

* Birthplace: Kinkora, Prince Edward Island

* Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration from University of Prince Edward Island; Master's of education from the University of New Brunswick.

* Notable: Posted 145-87-30-10 record over four seasons as coach/director of hockey operations for St. Michael's Majors of Ontario Hockey League. ... Drafted by Islanders in 1978. ... Spent 168 games in NHL, retired in 1984-85.

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As expected, the Ottawa Senators have named Cameron to coach their AHL club in Binghamton. Cameron, who signed a three-year deal, replaces John Paddock, who took a job in July as an assistant under new Ottawa coach Bryan Murray.

"I'm really excited to join the AHL," Cameron said by phone Wednesday from Toronto. "As a coach, you're no different than players in that you want to go to the highest level. The American Hockey League speaks for itself. It's one step below the NHL, and any coach that has aspirations, this is the next logical step.

"So when John Paddock went to Ottawa, I made some inquiries. I'm grateful and humble to know I've been successful."

Cameron, 46, had a wildly successful four-year run as coach and director of hockey operations with the Toronto-based St. Michael's Majors of the junior-level Ontario Hockey League.

In leading the Majors to four straight conference finals and two division championships, Cameron set the modern franchise record for regular-season victories by a coach (145). St. Michael's never won fewer than 32 games or posted a losing record with Cameron running the bench.

"I played against (St. Michael's) quite a bit, and we always battled them really good," said Emery, Binghamton's two-time all-star goalie and likely the top netminder again this season with an NHL work stoppage looming. "I remember they had a small rink at St. Mike's and a younger team, and they played really physical. His teams were always tough to play against."

St. Michael's is owned by Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk. Cameron said he had one long face-to-face interview with Ottawa general manager John Muckler and several shorter interviews before being offered the job earlier this week.

Neither Muckler nor assistant general manager Peter Chiarelli were available for comment, but in a prepared statement, Muckler offered:"Dave is an excellent coach who has been successful at all levels and has NHL playing experience. We're confident he'll fit into our organization very well."

Cameron has experience as an AHL assistant coach for the St. John's Maple Leafs in 1999-2000. He also played in the AHL for parts of two seasons, including 12 games with the Maine Mariners in 1984-85. Paddock was an assistant coach on that team.

Cameron's professional playing career lasted for parts of six seasons, including three in the NHL with the Colorado Rockies and New Jersey Devils. He scored 25 goals and 28 assists in 168 NHL games.

Asked to describe his coaching style, Cameron said it depends on his personnel, and he won't know the makeup of his roster until AHL training camp begins in late September. But generally his teams pressure the puck and are responsible defensively.

"Your own coaching philosophy becomes a little bit of a hodgepodge of all the coaches you had as a player," said Cameron, who played for several including Tom McVie. "But if you're going to have any success, especially in the playoffs, you have to be very adequate defensively."

Cameron recently returned from the Czech Republic, where he guided Canada's national under-18 team to a 5-0 record and a gold medal in the Junior World Cup. He is expected to work with the Senators' young players in the club's annual rookie camp starting in early September.

"There are a few players I'm familiar with, but I can't sit down and say I know the roster inside and out," Cameron said. "That's something I'll do within the next few weeks."

When Paddock vacated the position, the leading candidates were believed to be Cincinnati Mighty Ducks coach Brad Shaw, B-Sens assistant coach Mike Busniuk and player/assistant coach Jody Hull. But Shaw returned to Cincinnati, Hull wasn't interviewed and Busniuk is being considered to reprise his assistant role.

Hull said Wednesday he would serve as Cameron's assistant if the Senators asked. But he added he hasn't spoken to the Senators in about a month.

"I really wasn't an assistant last season, but I enjoyed it whenever John gave me (coaching) things to do," Hull said. "Right now, I'm keeping all my avenues open."