ORONO, Maine — At 5-foot-7, 150 pounds, University of Maine sophomore center Cam Brown is the University of Maine men’s hockey team’s smallest player.
But he has also been its most productive player as the 0-4 Black Bears prepare to host 3-0-1 Alaska-Anchorage at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
He has been one of the few bright spots, with two goals and two assists for a team-high four points.
“He plays way bigger than he is,” said Maine junior captain Devin Shore. “He is so quick. He definitely gives our team a lift every time he is out there. He plays so hard and he uses his center of gravity to get into areas where bigger guys can’t get.”
Maine coach Red Gendron said Brown has been a model of consistency throughout his career at Maine. He was 4-15-19 in 35 games a year ago and was sixth on the team in points and third in assists.
“You know what you’re going to get from him every night,” said Gendron. “Like every player, some nights are better than others but he rarely has a bad night. He contributes offensively and with his ability to defend. He loves the game, he loves to train and he attacks practice all the time.”
He also leads the team in plus-minus at plus-two. Players get a plus-one if they’re on the ice for an even-strength or shorthanded goal and a minus-one if they give one up.
Brown feels he has played “all right,” but quickly added, “I can definitely improve. I just try to get better and better every single game.”
He said his offseason focus was on improving his shot and becoming more consistent.
“I want to make an impact every single game,” he said.
He plays in all situations and said receiving considerable ice time has been beneficial.
“Confidence comes with the more you play. The more you do little things every day, like make a play for the team or even something simple, that can give you confidence for the rest of the game. I just try to make something happen every shift,” said Brown, who noted that making a “big defensive play” can also give you a boost.
Shore said Brown is much improved over a year ago and junior center-winger Steven Swavely concurred.
“He has gotten better ever since he got here. His work ethic is awesome. He comes to the rink every day trying to get better and it really shows,” said Swavely.
“I think I’ve improved. I’m a little bit stronger and maybe a little quicker and faster,” said Brown, a native of Natick, Massachusetts, who had 36 points (16 goals, 20 assists) in 61 games for two teams in the United States Hockey League in 2012-13.
He said the team’s start has been “a little frustrating but we’re staying positive. Good things are coming.”
Brown and his mates are eager to get that first win and they will look to do so against a Seawolves team that beat them in Anchorage, Alaska, to open the season, 3-1, on Oct. 10.