Just over two years after suffering a broken back in the horrific 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash that claimed 16 lives and injured 13 others, Broncos captain Graysen Cameron announced on Sunday that he has committed to playing NCAA hockey at Northland College.
“I’m proud to announce my commitment to Northland College,” Cameron tweeted. “Thanks to all my coaches, trainers, teammates, friends, the Humboldt Broncos and most importantly all my family for helping me over the last year and a half get back on the ice and play… Dream come true.”
The 20-year-old’s arduous path back to playing included spending time with trainers of the Calgary Flames, and featured a stop as an assistant coach with the Red Deer Midget AAA Optimist Chiefs — his former Alberta Midget Hockey League team — in 2018-19 before once more trying out for, and earning his spot on, the Broncos this past season.
“My only focus is getting to Humboldt and being able to perform there,” Cameron told the Canadian Press prior to rejoining the team. “I don’t want to show up and be average, I want to make a name for myself in the league, and do whatever it takes to try and get a championship there.”
In 46 games for Humboldt this past season, Cameron scored five goals and added eight assists, while picking up 128 penalty minutes. His hard-nosed style helped lead the Broncos to the eighth-seed in the SJHL standings and a playoff berth, where they ultimately fell to the top-ranked Flin Flon Bombers.
At Northland next year, Cameron will compete at the NCAA Division 3 level.
“His dedication, work ethic and leadership is above anything you could ever ask for,” the Broncos tweeted. ” We are truly honoured to call Graysen a Bronco, and we always will!”
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