Fashion Lighting Player Spotlight – Cameron Supryka
Born in Belleville, Ont., twenty-year-old Cameron Supryka was acquired by the Guelph Storm in a trade earlier this season. Cameron spent the start of the season with the Sarnia Sting, and prior to that spent time with the Hamilton Bulldogs and Peterborough Petes. Prior to being to his time with the Storm, Supryka appeared in 122 games, notching 5-goals and 31-assists.
HOW IT STARTED
Q: When and how did you become involved in hockey?
A: “I would have been 4 or 5 years old, and I got into it when my dad was involved in hockey as a coach. My dad and my older brother played as well, so I wanted to play as I watched him.”
Q: Are there any players you style your game after, and if so, who?
A: “Someone I’ve always looked at is Cam Fowler on the Anaheim Ducks, I like the way he plays and he’s someone who I model my game after. A new player who I’ve been watching a lot is Oliver Kylington on the Calgary Flames, he plays with Chris Tanev, and I watch him to pick up defensive elements and the simple part of his game and Kylington is a really good puck-moving defencemen.”
Q: Who would you say is your biggest support system?
A: “My family. My brothers and my sister, they support me a lot. My sister would always come to my tournaments when I was younger, even when she didn’t want to. My parents as well, mom and dad, and my step-mom and my mother’s boyfriend. My girlfriend has been helping me out a lot recently with my hockey and just always being there to support me.”
HOW IT’S GOING
Q: How has your experience in Guelph been so far?
A: “It’s been really good. It’s been exciting and something new. It’s really good to be able to play for George, there are so many things you can learn from someone like George who has been in this league for a long time and has had a lot of good players that he has coached. The entire staff here has been so welcoming and made my life a lot easier. My billets made my transition a lot easier than it usually is for some players.”
Q: What is the biggest difference between Guelph and Sarnia?
A: “Guelph is a bigger city compared to Sarnia, there’s a little more to do here, but it’s been really good. With COVID-19 it has been tough to experience a normal season, but there are so many good things about Guelph. The facilities here are great, we’re very lucky to have Pursuit as a gym that we get to go to. I think we’re a little spoiled here in Guelph in terms of resources, if you need something they’ll find whatever you need to be successful. We have so many skills coaches, power skating coaches, personal trainers, and Brie and Jake do a really good job with making sure we’re on the ice and healthy.”
Q: How would you describe the energy of this year’s team?
A: “It’s really exciting. I’ve noticed it a few times during the first period of play when we’re just flying. It’s so exciting to see and be a part of because we could really be doing something special here. Where we’re sitting at the conference we’re still really hungry and we’re not satisfied with where we’re at. I think that adds new energy to the dressing room. Of course, adding Ashton and Brayden at the deadline gave us that extra boost. We’ve added these guys and we’re able to do our work and make sure we’re pushing forward every single day to be a top team.”
Q: What motivates you to work hard?
A: “My family. I don’t just play hockey for myself, at the end of the day I don’t just look at hockey as a game, I look at it as a business and it’s something I want to do long-term. I look at hockey as something that is bigger than myself. I want to be a better player than I was yesterday, and I want to leave hockey with no regrets, so I put in everything that I can into the sport. Hockey has given me so much already, friendships, school, life lessons, and all that stuff.”
LOOKING FORWARD
Q: What are you personally working on the most this season?
A: “Simplifying my game and putting everything together. Obviously, with the season off last year, it was hard at the start of this season to get everything going again and get the rhythm of a regular season. We have about 22 or 23 regular-season games left before heading into playoffs, so now it’s putting all your tools together and making sure that you’re firing at your highest level when it comes to playoff time.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
A: “I see myself playing professional hockey, not sure where, but I see it. Of course, my goal is to be in the NHL and I want to do whatever it takes to get there, whether it takes 5 years or 10 years. Hopefully, I’m happy in 5-years and living a good life.”
Q: What’s a piece of advice you’d give to someone pursuing an OHL career?
A: “To enjoy it, I know it’s cliché and everyone says it, but it does go by fast. Enjoy every single day at the rink, every single bus ride, everything that comes with it. It’s a small-time in your life, but there are so many things to learn from the OHL and from your coaches that don’t just go towards hockey. When I came to the OHL at 15, I was so young and a little bit immature and I think as time has come you learn a lot. I think it’s great, we already see it with some of our guys, from the start of the season till now, some guys are more mature and growing up a little bit. The OHL offers a lot with your school package, so it’s the best of both worlds.”
RANDOM RAPID FIRE
Q: Spotify or Apple music?
A: Spotify
Q: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
A: Colorado
Q: Jeans or sweatpants?
A: Sweatpants
Q: What is your go-to cheat meal?
A: Chipotle
Q: What is your favourite holiday?
A: Christmas
Q: What song would you sing at karaoke night?
A: Beautiful Crazy by Luke Combs
