SPRUCE GROVE, AB – The Spruce Grove Saints are proud to announce that local homegrown talent, Cameron Mitchell, has committed to the University of Omaha Nebraska. Mitchell joins the Mavericks hockey program, located in Omaha, Nebraska, who compete in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). The Mavericks have three NCAA tournament appearances and one trip to the Frozen Four in 2015.
Mitchell is set to don the black and red Maverick threads after impressive freshman and sophomore seasons with the Saints. As a rookie in 2017-18, the Stony Plain, AB native posted 28 points (9 goals, 19 assists) and 10 penalty minutes with 2 assists in 13 playoff games enroute to the Saints 2018 AJHL championship. As a second-year player Mitchell increased his production with 15 goals, 20 assists and 40 pims in the 2018-19 regular season, turning many heads along the way. As the Saints looked to defend their championship Mitchell upped the ante compiling 6 goals, 10 assists and 18 pims in 14 post season games, highlighted by a hat trick to clinch the North Division Banner vs. Sherwood Park.
Standing 5?9?, 165-pounds, the former Saints billet brother turned local star explained why he chose the Mavericks program.
?After flying down to Omaha, meeting Coach Gabinet, and seeing the campus and hockey facilities I knew Nebraska was where I wanted to go, ?exclaimed an excited Mitchell. ?Everything the hockey program does is very professional, from the training facilities to hockey rink and the academic services they offer its all just first class,? Mitchell continued.
?The University is a mid size campus (roughly 15,000 students) which was nice, I didn?t want to be at a big state school or small college. It really was just a natural and comfortable fit for me. I am really excited and I feel that under Coach Gabinet and all the coaches I will have the best opportunity to continue my education and hockey career.?
After speaking about Omaha, Mitchell wanted to make sure he thanked the many that helped him along the way.
?I am so appreciative to Rob, Bram and the whole Saints organization for the support they have given me through this process. I want to thank all of my previous coaches and teammates, but especially, I want to thank my family for all the sacrifices they have made to get me here, it?s really special to be able to share this with them. I can?t wait to be a Maverick,? Mitchell concluded.
Mitchell will be the first Saint turned Maverick blazing a trail for others to follow.
General Manager Rob Sklaruk, who has known Cam his whole life, spoke about his commitment.
?We have been keenly waiting for some time now to see where Cam was going to end up as he had quite a few different offers to chose from. It?s so satisfying to see a local minor hockey product, whose family used to billet Saints players, develop through the PAC Saints program to become a key contributor to the Saints and realize his dream of attaining a Division I scholarship,? Sklaruk continued. ?Cam comes from a great family, is a stand-up young man, and a heck of a hockey player. He is everything we envision a Saint to be, a hard working, team first, winner. We could not be prouder and more excited for him,? Sklaruk finished.
Mitchell kicks off the 2019-20 season as the first Saint to commit to an NCAA Division I school joining four current Saints that have secured scholarships for future years.
Head Coach Bram Stephen sees a budding star in Mitchell, who is starting to get the recognition he knew was coming to him.
?Since Cam started with the Saints as 16-year-old, with the type of energy and relentless nature he plays the game with, we knew he was going to be a special player,? stated an excited Stephen. ?He plays the hard minutes, serving as a trusted penalty killer and late situational game player. Earning that trust turned into powerplay and offensive opportunities in which he excelled time and time again,? Stephen continued.
?With his (Mitchell) overall game getting noticed league wide, he is now off to Russia to represent Team Alberta at the Junior Club World Cup in August, something Cam is well deserving of. We are thrilled for the opportunity that Cam has earned, and that Coach Gabinet in Omaha has offered him. The Mavericks have a state-of-the-art facility, with a rising program that plays in arguably the top conference in all of college hockey. It?s certainly an exciting time for Cam and his family, the whole Saints coaching staff are very proud and excited for what the future holds for Cam.?
The Saints organization would like to congratulate Cameron and his family on his exciting achievement.
You can catch the Saints as they start their quest for a 6th AJHL Championship by purchasing your season tickets or single game tickets, both available now on the Saints website at tickets.sprucegrovesaints.ca
For group and team ticket packages contact the Saints to book your game now by emailing chohmann@silentice.com or by calling the Saints office 780-960-TEAM.