Squires Chats Progress and Goals | FEATURE

The Devils drafted forward Cam Squires in the fourth round (122^nd overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft. Squires was coming off of a 30-goal, 64-point season with Cape Breton of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Last season, Squires, 19, improved on those numbers by setting career highs across the board in goals (33), assists (39) and points (72). But most impressive was the nine goals, 11 assists and 20 points he notched in 14 playoff games for the Eagles.  

The 6-foot, 170-pound was rewarded with a three-year entry level contract. He participated in the Devils’ annual Development Camp in early July and answered some questions from the surrounding media.

On areas he improved last season…

I got a lot better in a lot of areas. Continuing to be more constant in all areas of my game. Defensively I’ve come a long way. That’s a big thing that I prioritize. Just my skating is one thing that I took to heart to work on. In-season you’re touching up on a lot of things. Working on my stride, being quicker, more explosive, playing against bigger guys will be huge too.

On what he worked on during this summer…

Getting bigger and stronger is first and foremost in the gym, working on that. Continuing to put on weight and size. And my skating. Touching up on all the details. You can never be satisfied with where you’re at. Working on my skill. Good mix of skill practices, getting in shape toward the end of summer and being in the best area come training camp.

On last year’s Prospects Challenge…

It was fun. It was good to see all the prospects out there. It’s definitely a step up from junior. You get your feet wet. You get your first taste of how it all is at that level. It was fun. It was a learning experience for me. I took advantage of it. Just learned. I picked the brains of the older guys, guys that had been there a few years. Just adjusting to the speed and getting better each game. By the time I left there I felt a lot more comfortable.

On adding a level in last season’s playoffs…

It was coming ready to play at the right time. Building all year. The prospects tournament set the tone. I don’t think I jumped up a level, just sinking down to where you train at all year. Where you bring your level and compete is huge. Playoff time is the most fun time of year. That’s when you see the best players be the best players. For us, our team went on a good run. It was exciting and it was fun to play that hockey.

On winning Humanitarian of the Year…

Being a junior player in a small town, Cape Breton, I think it’s important for me to connect with the community there. It’s a pretty close-knit hockey community and the hockey community is a small world. For me, it was prioritizing how I could connect with the kids and the families around the community in Cape Breton. I’ve been there for three full seasons now, going into my fourth. It’s been a second home to me. They’ve done a great job of taking me in. Doing my part as a hockey player and trying to go above and beyond and give aback, because they deserve it too.

On the initiatives of his community program…

Me and my family got four season tickets behind the net. We brought four kids that may not be able to go to games with their family. The Boys and Girls Club in Cape Breton, a great community place there for kids, they came to the games and got a hat and popcorn and stuff. After the game they would come down and get a picture and I would talk to them for a little bit. It was a small thing, but it went a long way with them.