The 2016-17 season was setting up to be a big one for Saskatoon Blades center Cameron “Cam” Hebig. He was coming off a career year in 2015-16 with 26 goals and 43 assists for 69 points. He even garnered an invitation to training camp with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Then Hebig was beset by a mysterious ailment that has yet to really have been identified. Hebig missed every game last year and looks back at what was a challenging year.
“It was very tough. You go in and you want to have a strong year and then you are hit with adversity at the start like that. It was tough, there were a lot of tough nights and a lot of tough days. But I think that if I just kept getting up and just kept pushing and had a positive attitude and tried to look at it like it made me stronger. I came out as a stronger person and a stronger player. I learned a lot. I think when I faced that adversity, I came out stronger,” Hebig said.
It’s one thing to have to battle through a physical ailment, but when the reason is unknown, it can take a toll on you mentally. “It really wears on you. You want to be out there practicing and playing but it’s important to have a positive attitude and just keep working. I’m surrounded by a bunch of great people who encouraged me. I had good doctors and physios and I had my Mom and Dad help me a tremendous amount.”
As for having to watch his team struggle to a 28-35-7-2 record that saw them finish just five points back of Calgary for the final playoff spot:
“It was tough to watch. That’s your goal to be out there and contribute to the team. I had to look after myself and that was number one though. I look back and I think I did the right thing. I put that behind me now and want to move forward. This is the team I’m on now.”
Hebig finally was cleared to play at the start of this season, but a roster spot for him was no guarantee. The Blades had more than the allotment of overage players they are allowed, so he had to earn his spot in training camp.
“I just tried to worry about what I could control. We did have an overage situation at the beginning and I did not worry about it too much. I knew I was just gong to come in and work and play my game. I know I’m a good player and I’m confident in just doing what I could do. They made the decision to keep me and I feel like I just need to prove that they made the right choice and keep proving that as we keep going.”
Hebig has regained his form from two years ago early this year as he has scored 24 times and added 18 assists for 42 points through 29 games. That is good enough to lead the team once again. After a tough start to the year, the Blades have rebounded a bit and are sitting just four points behind the Prince Albert Raiders for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Their 12-16-2-1 record so far is not bad considering they are in the extremely talented East Division, where the top three teams in the entire conference all reside.
“We had kind of a tough start there but we kind of found it there. We just have to work as a team, battle and just keep our consistency going. There are a lot of good teams out there and we just have to work hard. With those talented teams ahead of us, I think we just have to go out there and be a working team and outwork guys. I think if we all play together, we can string some wins together.”
Hebig has already shown a lot of perseverance in not giving up hockey when many others would have. He seems fitted to lead a franchise that has not seen the playoffs in his five years there, back to the post-season.
