Game on
When Halifax Mooseheads general manager Cam Russell acquired Cameron Critchlow from the Victoriaville Tigres on Aug. 1, it didn’t seem like such a big deal.
The Mooseheads only gave up a fifth-round pick to get him and Critchlow’s modest career statistics didn’t do much to catch most people’s eyes. But there are some players whose contributions can’t be measured in numbers and Critchlow soon demonstrated to people in Halifax exactly what he brings.
“He’s a gamer and he’s a character guy,” said Halifax head coach Dominique Ducharme. “He wants to be making a difference and he does it in many ways in the room and on the ice. I think the energy he shows and his commitment makes him a natural leader but also he’s got that personality so obviously he’s an important guy for us.”
After just a few weeks of training camp, the Mooseheads named Critchlow their captain. He replaced Travis Randell, who was back for his fifth season with the Mooseheads and was their captain the season before. Randell graciously accepted the change in leadership, saying he too recognized Critchlow’s special abilities in that area.
It also helped that Critchlow had a history of leading a young team. He was the captain for the Lewiston Maineiacs in 2009-10 when they surprised many by advancing to the third round of the QMJHL playoffs.
“We’re comparable because both teams are young and skilled, but overall I think this is a much better team,” said Critchlow, who also spent two-and-a-half seasons with the Bathurst Titan. “We have a lot more star power and I’ve been trying to get the other guys here to understand that.”
As a 20-year-old, Critchlow almost serves as a third assistant coach at times. Ducharme said he frequently consults with the veteran forward privately about the mood in the dressing room and the two often collaborate when it’s time to deliver an important message to the group.
“We talk a lot; more and more as the season got towards the end,” Ducharme said. “I think he’s a pretty smart kid. He’s been in the league for five years and he’s been through a lot. He’s been on good teams and in tough positions so he knows what it takes to win in the league. I think he’s bringing that to our team. He’s showing how much he wants it.”
And even though Critchlow’s strengths are in the intangibles, he also managed to post career highs statistically this year. He was fifth in team scoring with 21 goals and 29 assists in 68 games and was one of Halifax’s most productive players in the playoffs.
“I couldn’t be happier with how things have gone,” Critchlow said. “This is obviously my last year in the league and I don’t want to leave anything on the table. I know when you’re new in the league you don’t really appreciate that so I’ve been trying to get that across to the younger players as much as I can. But for me, I know I won’t have any regrets when I’m done.”
