OTTAWA, ON - This is not your typical off-season for a university hockey coach.
But for
Shawn Camp, the head coach of the men's hockey program at the University of Guelph, it has become routine. This summer, while the rest of the country was busy celebrating Canada's 150th birthday, Shawn Camp was focused on celebrating a different milestone: completing his 17th season as a Development Camp Coach with the Ottawa Senators.
Photo courtesy Greg Mason
Aside from his full-time gig as head coach of the men's hockey team at U of G, Shawn has also spent the better part of the last two decades working on the player development side of things with the Ottawa Senators. On top of his year-round responsibilities as the Gryphons head coach, which include around-the-clock recruiting as well as the execution of several hockey camps during the summer months, Shawn has also found the time to temporarily swap his Gryphon logo for a Senators logo. It has made for a busy off-season each of the past 17 summers. The summer of 2017 has been no exception.
Shawn Camp (left) seen alongside Senator's pro scout Steve Stirling
On Thursday, June 22nd, Shawn flew to Chicago to take part in the NHL coaches association conference and remained in Chicago the next day for the beginning of the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center.
On Monday, June 26th, he drove from Guelph to Ottawa where he served as a Development Camp Coach for the 2017 edition of the Ottawa Senators Development Camp. The camp took place from June 27 to July 3rd and was held at the Bell Sensplex, a four-pad ice facility which serves as the primary practice facility of the Ottawa Senators. Over the course of the week, Shawn spent a total of 10 hours on the ice, working closely with the organization's top prospects while also assisting in the weight room and supervising other off-ice workouts.
From a professional development standpoint, it doesn't get much better than this. For Shawn Camp, an Ottawa native, the opportunity to work alongside coaches from both the Ottawa Senators as well as the Binghamton Senators (Ottawa's AHL affiliate) is something he is truly appreciative of, "Honestly, it is such a privilege to be able to work with that staff," says Camp, now in his 11th season as head coach of the Gryphons. "Year after year, it's been such a great learning experience for myself, and it is an honour to be able to work with so many talented and motivated young players."
Photo courtesy Greg Mason
Throughout his time as a Development Camp Coach in Ottawa, Shawn Camp has had the opportunity to work with many players who have since become household names, including the likes of Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza. "As an organization, the Sens do such an amazing job in making sure they go the extra mile to ensure their prospects reach their full potential. It feels great to be able to watch these young players achieve success at the NHL level and I'm extremely grateful to be able to play even a small part in helping with the overall development of these players."
During the 2016-17 season, there were a total of 32 active NHL players who at one point in their careers had worked with Shawn Camp during an Ottawa Senators Development Camp. With the Sens 2017 Development Camp now in the books, Shawn Camp has once again traded in his Sens logo for a Gryphon logo and will now put the finishing touches on preparations for the 2017-18 university hockey season. The Gryphons are set to drop the puck on their regular season on Wednesday, October 11th versus Brock.
Shawn Camp Coaching Bio
2007-present: Head Coach - Guelph Gryphons (OUA/CIS/U SPORTS)
2006-2007: Ast Coach & Ast G.M. - Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
2004-2006: Head Coach - Sarnia Sting (OHL)
2003-2004: Head Coach - Guelph Storm (OHL)
2000-2003: Ast Coach - Guelph Storm (OHL)
1998-2000: Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations - Hawkesbury Hawks (CCHL)
1996-1998: Ast Coach - Hull Olympiques (QMJHL) - won the Memorial Cup in 1997
Hockey Canada Involvement
2011: Ast Coach Team Canada at FISU Games (won Bronze)
2005: Head Coach Team Canada U-18 (won Gold at World Jr. Cup)
2005: Head Coach Team Canada U-18 (won Silver at World Championships)
2004: Ast Coach Team Canada U-18 (won Gold medal at World Jr. Cup)
Additional notes
* currently in 17th season as Development Camp Coach with Ottawa Senators
* 2015: OUA Fox 40 Coach of the Year, OUA Queen's Cup Champion, CIS Bronze medalist
* 2015: Head Coach of CIS All-Star Team (that faced Team Canada World Jr. team)
* During the 2016-17 season, a total of 62 players were active in the NHL who were coached by Shawn Camp at one point either during their careers, either working with Coach Camp in the CHL, within Hockey Canada, or during their time at Ottawa Senators development camp.
