Dave Cameron, a Canadian ice hockey player and coach, embarked on his professional journey in the world of hockey with a career that spanned several decades. Born on July 29, 1958, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Cameron's early years in hockey were marked by his time in the junior leagues, where he honed his skills and developed a deep understanding of the game.
Cameron's professional playing career began when he was drafted by the New York Islanders in the eighth round of the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. Although he never played for the Islanders, he found his way into the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Colorado Rockies. His NHL debut came during the 1981-1982 season, where he played as a center. Over the course of his playing career, Cameron also spent time with the New Jersey Devils, following the franchise's relocation from Colorado.
In addition to his NHL experience, Cameron played in the American Hockey League (AHL) and the Central Hockey League (CHL), where he further demonstrated his abilities on the ice. His playing career, however, was relatively brief, and he transitioned into coaching after retiring as a player.
Cameron's coaching career began in the early 1990s, where he took on roles in various junior and minor leagues. He served as the head coach for the Detroit Falcons of the Colonial Hockey League and later moved to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he coached the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and the Toronto St. Michael's Majors. His time in the OHL was marked by his ability to develop young talent and lead his teams to competitive performances.
In 2004, Cameron took on the role of head coach for the Binghamton Senators, the AHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators. His tenure with Binghamton was a stepping stone that eventually led him to the NHL once again, this time as a coach. Cameron joined the Ottawa Senators as an assistant coach in 2011, working under head coach Paul MacLean. His responsibilities included overseeing the team's power play and contributing to the overall strategy and development of the team.
Cameron's opportunity to lead an NHL team came in December 2014, when he was promoted to head coach of the Ottawa Senators following the dismissal of Paul MacLean. Under his leadership, the Senators made a remarkable push to secure a playoff spot during the 2014-2015 season, highlighted by a strong finish in the regular season. Despite the team's efforts, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Montreal Canadiens.
The following season, the Senators faced challenges and inconsistencies, leading to Cameron's dismissal as head coach in April 2016. His time with the Senators was characterized by his ability to motivate players and his tactical approach to the game, although the team struggled to achieve sustained success during his tenure.
After his departure from the Senators, Cameron continued his coaching career internationally. He was appointed as the head coach of the Vienna Capitals in the Austrian Hockey League (EBEL) and later took on the role of head coach for Team Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he led the team to a silver medal finish.
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