Whitehorse Daily Star

Image title

Photo by Whitehorse Star

ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH – Reid Campbell, a fourth-year defenceman with St. Norbert College, is aiming to become a national champion once more.

Campbell sets sights on third Frozen Four title

Before his college hockey career ends, Reid Campbell wants to add one more ring to his trophy case.

By Marcel Vander Wier on March 14, 2014

Before his college hockey career ends, Reid Campbell wants to add one more ring to his trophy case.

The 25-year-old native of Haines Junction is a senior defenceman with the St. Norbert College Green Knights in De Pere, Wis., a suburb of Green Bay.

Campbell won national titles with St. Norbert in both 2011 and 2012, before an early exit from the championship round last year.

Last weekend, the club won their conference and the inaugural Harris Cup with a 5-1 win over College of St. Scholastica, clinching the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association's (NCHA) automatic berth into the 11-team NCAA Division III Tournament.

The Green Knights (25-3-1) are ranked first in their division. The team had previously won the Peters Cup 11 times from 1998 to 2013 before that trophy became the NCHA's regular-season championship award this year.

Despite the recent championship victory, Campbell said the team isn't ready to celebrate just yet.

"A lot of teams down here, if they win the conference, they get rings and trophies, but we kind of look past that,” he said. "It's just another game to us and our ultimate goal is a national championship.”

Tomorrow night, the Green Knights will host the Adrian College Bulldogs (22-2-4) in the quarter-final round of the NCAA Div. III tournament. The two teams split their season series.

The winner will advance to the Frozen Four tournament March 21 to 22 in Lewiston, Maine.

"It's a must win,” Campbell said. "It's all single elimination games from here on out, so in order to win a national championship, we've got to win at least three more games.”

A defensive defenceman who has worn an ‘A' on his sweater the past two seasons, Campbell recorded two goals and nine assists in 29 games this year.

He said despite his club's top-ranked position, they will need to put together some of their best hockey in order to reach the Frozen Four.

"We're favourited, yes. Right now, we're the No. 1 seed in the nation, but that doesn't really mean anything when it comes down to single-elimination games,” the Yukoner said.

"We put ourselves in a good position, but now it's just about coming down and executing. We're not really focused on Maine at all. We've got to win Saturday in order to get there.”

While Campbell knows the elation that comes with a national championship win, he also endured the feelings of missing out last year.

Last year, the Green Knights lost 2-1 to the eventual champion Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds in the quarter-final game.

"I've been through it all,” the five-foot-10, 185-pound blueliner said. "I've won the national championship twice and I've also lost in key games.

"It was frustrating. But we have a lot of the same guys back. I think we have to build off last year's loss a little bit, knowing the feeling of defeat.”

Campbell has high hopes for this year's squad – and their chances at one more championship ring.

"It's my last kick at the can,” he said of his national title hopes. "I just got goosebumps thinking about it.

The school's won three national championships and we have two.

"To go out on a winning note, not knowing what my future in hockey has for me, it would be the best feeling that anyone could ask for.”

Next season, Campbell said he hopes to take a shot at turning pro, but for now, his focus is squarely on his next game.

"Right now, my focus is just Saturday, this season, winning a national championship,” he said. "Going out on top your senior year ... I want that feeling.”

Be the first to comment

Add your comments or reply via Twitter @whitehorsestar

In order to encourage thoughtful and responsible discussion, website comments will not be visible until a moderator approves them. Please add comments judiciously and refrain from maligning any individual or institution. Read about our user comment and privacy policies.

Your name and email address are required before your comment is posted. Otherwise, your comment will not be posted.