Draft Just the Start for Squires | FEATURE

After the Devils selected forward Cam Squires from Cape Breton, New Jersey's chief scout Mark Dennehy had a message for him.

"I grabbed Cam when I met him and said this the beginning. This is not an end point," Dennehy said. "He's well aware of what he needs to do. He's going to get bigger and stronger. We think he could be a more explosive skater. Hands, vision, shot, he's got a lot of tools."

Those offensive abilities were on full display during the 2022-23 season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He posted 30 goals and 64 points in 67 games.

"Thirty goals your draft year gets your attention," Dennehy said.

And that's why he landed in New Jersey after the club chose him in the fourth round (122nd overall).

"You work your whole life for something like this," Squires said of being drafted. "You're waiting there, you're sitting and all of a sudden it just happens. Things happen quickly. Your heart speeds up. It's a pretty special moment for me. I'm really grateful."

After a slow start to the season, Squires turned it on in the second half with a goals and points explosion.

"Sometimes the puck just starts going in for you," Squires said. "I got on a roll and it was going good. I was finding the back of the net and making plays. I was being myself out there. Confidence was huge. I was playing with swagger. I really enjoyed it.

"It's just sticking with the process really. Not changing anything day to day. Going about your business. Each game in the Q in the second half I got better and better and really took off. It led to today."

Squires knows there are areas of his game that need improved, particularly his physical strength.

"Every player in the NHL is so good. It's so tough to get there," he said. "You have to play hard in all three zones. It comes down to who wants it more in the puck battles and you have to be willing to win them."

But he's also very aware of the strengths in his game.

"I'm a smart, skilled forward. I like to score goals. I'm a playmaker as well," he said. "I get things going in the offensive zone and my 200-foot game has come a long way. I'm turning into an overall three zone play. I play with speed. I'm an exciting player to watch."

And with a skillset like that, he should fit in nicely with the speedy and dynamic Devils.

"There's so much skill and speed and excitement around the Devils," Squires said. "Hopefully, one day I'll be on the ice with those guys and it'll be a dream come true."