2023 NHL Draft | Under the Microscope: Cam Squires
Cam Squires has been known for his offensive prowess since his early days of playing minor hockey in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
As a 13-year-old, he put up 32 goals and 67 points in 30 games to finish as the PEIU15AAAHL’s top scorer. The following season, he pushed his totals to 40 goals and 85 points in 26 games, becoming the MVP of P.E.I.’s U15AAA League.
The forward’s talent eventually led to him getting selected 22nd overall at the 2021 QMJHL Entry Draft by the Cape Breton Eagles, the same team his older brother Jacob played for at the time.
Getting to witness firsthand what it took to play Major Junior hockey was very helpful for Cam as he prepared to follow in his big brother’s footsteps. After throwing on the same jersey all of last season, Jacob was traded to the Charlottetown Islanders, but Cam continues to wow Eagles fans with his high-end skill and impressive hockey IQ.
“Cam is a huge hockey nerd and I mean that in the best possible sense,” said Eagles assistant coach Matt Anthony. “His attention to detail is great. He puts a lot of work into his game on the ice and off the ice. The offensive instincts are there to be a next-level player, he just has to continue to round out his game. He’s still pretty light frame-wise, so as he gets older and more physically mature, it will help him out as well.”
As a second-year player on the Eagles, Cam has been taking advantage of the additional opportunities offered to him this season while also working on his 200-foot game and learning to play with more poise. The 17-year-old has recently been identified by the NHL’s Central Scouting Department as a prospect to watch ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft, but he’s refusing to let that impact his love for hockey or his goal of improving every day he’s on the ice.
“I’ve never seen it like it’s added stress or added pressure for myself,” said Squires about the draft. “For me, it’s about playing as much as I can and really letting it all go. I think just to play with confidence and enjoy each day and enjoy each game. The results will come, but it’s important not to lose sight of the present moment. So that when the draft comes around in June, I’m in the best possible position for it.”
Before the start of the 2022-23 season, Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet’s draft and prospects expert, also listed Squires as one of his top QMJHL prospects to watch, describing him as a player who’s “deadly from the dots down, with excellent touch around the net.”
In addition to his brother, Squires’ dad has always been involved in hockey and encouraged both his sons to pick up the sport. He played until university and then coached at the Junior A level in the Maritimes. Growing up, Cam was a big Calgary Flames fan, and his biggest inspiration was Jarome Iginla because of the way he carried himself as a person and as a player. He met the Hall of Famer once as a kid, and always looked up to him for his leadership qualities, both on and off the ice.
Squires understands that a strong work ethic, just like Iginla had, is going to be key to helping him get to the professional ranks.
“Becoming that overall 200-foot player and not just a one-dimensional player, it’s so important as you go up the ranks. Obviously, it’s so tough to score goals at [the QMJHL] level, and it just gets tougher,” Squires admitted. “Even the best players work hard to keep improving. I’m going to keep working on stuff and continuing to grow my game, and really bring every aspect along so I can be where I need to be whenever that time comes.”
Regardless of what happens between now and next summer, Cam is going to continue to play the game hard and play it the right way. Most of all though, he is going to enjoy every minute he gets to spend at the rink, because he feels incredibly fortunate that he gets to play hockey every day.
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Cam Squires
Height: 6’0″ | Weight: 160 lbs
Date of Birth: April 11, 2005
Birthplace: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Shoots: Right
