Players on the Prince George Spruce Kings can do a lot more than skate and score goals.
While the majority of kids across Canada dream of playing in the National Hockey League, the vast majority of them are equally as good in the classroom. Spruce Kings defenseman Colton Cameron is no different.
The 19-year-old from Surrey is garnering attention of a different kind for his athletic accomplishments. In October, the third-year defenceman was named one of the Provincial Premier Award winners in Indigenous Youth Excellence In Sport.
In total, 10 athletes were selected for their sporting and athletic accomplishments.
“I was lucky enough to be one of those recipients and I am so honoured to be one of them and it’s just such a great feeling,” said Cameron. “My councillor picked Indigenous people from our school and he thought that I would be a good candidate so he told me to apply for it and I got it.”
Cameron, who is Métis, isn’t taking for granted what it means to be a role model for other Indigenous athletes who may look up to him as a shining example. “It’s an amazing feeling being looked up to. I have no words to describe it but it’s a great feeling.”
The Spruce Kings alternate captain is a two-time team leader in plus-minus and also has the distinction of having a 4.0-grade point average.
A gradual rise
It’s been a steady rise to prominence for Cameron, who is quietly becoming one of the BCHL’s most dependable blueliners. The 19-year-old doesn’t pile up points from the blueline but his contributions outstretch what shows up on the scoresheet.
Cameron often plays against some of the league’s best forwards and is tasked with shutting them down on a nightly basis. He also sees time on both the penalty kill and power play for the Spruce Kings.
Cameron joined Prince George as a rookie in the 2019-20 campaign, quickly becoming a favourite among fans and the coaching staff. He tallied six assists in 40 games and also appeared in four playoff contests, a series sweep at the hands of the Trail Smoke Eaters.
In the Chilliwack pod last season, Cameron’s game grew by leaps and bounds. He registered eight points in 19 games, helping PG earn top spot among the three-team setup, which also included the host Chiefs and Merritt Centennials.
Before he was a King
Prior to ending up with the BCHL’s most northern franchise, Cameron had a couple of interesting stops along the way.
In 2017-18, he appeared in two games as an affiliate player with the Port Moody Panthers of the Pacific Junior Hockey League, collecting a pair of assists, while also maintaining a full-time spot with the Cloverdale Minor Hockey Association U18 Tier 1 A1 team.
Cameron then made the decision to play in what was then called the BC Major Midget League for the Valley West Giants in 2018-19. He was a force on the Giants blueline, collecting 20 points in 38 games while also appearing in two postseason games.
This earned him a two-game stint with the Langley Rivermen as an affiliate player prior to signing with the Spruce Kings in the summer of 2019.
As for being one of the Premier Provincial Award Winners, Cameron will also receive $500 and have his biographical information and photo on display in the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
