Kimberley Dynamiters defenceman Cam Reid has signed to play NCAA Division III hockey with the Castleton University Spartans next fall.
In three seasons with the Dynamiters, Reid scored 26 goals and recorded 81 points in 105 career regular season games. He added 32 points in 39 KIJHL playoff games. Reid, who came from the Cranbrook Hornets U15AA program, first debuted with the Dynamiters playing one game as an affiliate in 2017-18, then again for two games in the 2018-19 season. Reid also played 27 games with the BCHL’s Cranbrook Bucks over two seasons and had six points.
Reid, 21, said it’s a great opportunity to join the Spartans after speaking with the coach and learning about the facilities and what he will have access to, combined with offering the Sports and Business management program he wants to take, makes joining the program a good fit.
“I want to do anything to stay in the game as long as I can,” said Reid, who was voted the KIJHL’s Top Defenceman and later named Playoff MVP “Getting to play more hockey and experiencing a new level of competition and scenery is exciting.”
Starting this new chapter is something that Reid credited Dynamiters Head Coach-GM Derek Stuart for helping him get.
“He’s definitely earned that opportunity and it’s a huge jump from our level to NCAA D3, but he’s in such phenomenal shape, he’s such a great skater, and his hockey IQ is off the charts,” says Stuart, “I’m confident that he will have a great career in Castleton.”
The improvements that Stuart saw in Reid’s development in his skills come on the defensive side. The Dynamiters put Reid against their opponents top line, making it tough for them to generate anything against Reid because of his ability with gap control and that he can outskate anyone.
“That to me has been his biggest improvement since he joined us a couple years ago,” said Stuart. “His defensive play and awareness, recognizing some shifts you are not going to have offensive opportunities and you just need to play good defence. He has done that great for us all year.”
Reid said his improvement with his defensive play comes with age and learning the league, discovering what works with positioning. The 6-0, 165-pound blueliner said that Stuart is the best coach he’s ever had.
“He helped me out and taught me a lot of things,” said Reid. “He pushed me to be the best I can be.”
