Jefferson Hagen / MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – When dissecting how the MacEwan Griffins won the ACAC men's hockey championship last March, there were plenty of heroes.
Among them was the performance of freshman Cam Gotaas, who led the team with seven points in five playoff games. Three of those came in the decisive 4-3 Game 3 overtime win that delivered the Griffins their first championship since 2004.
Pretty great stuff from a player who just got better as his first ACAC season went along.
"From the start of the season to the end of the season, I think it was a gradual progression in the right direction," said the Sherwood Park product. "I got a lot more confident with the puck.
"I felt like toward the end of the year, my confidence was at a high point and that was something that was great to see from start to finish."
Gotaas will lead the Griffins into a new season on Friday night in Calgary (at SAIT, 7 p.m.) before taking a moment to relive the 2016-17 title with his teammates during a pre-game ceremony before Saturday's home opener (vs. SAIT, 6 p.m.).
A year older and wiser, he'll be wearing a letter on his jersey. Gotaas joins Taylor Bilyk, Nolan Yaremchuk and Brett Njaa in wearing an 'A' behind captain Ryan Benn.
"He's a guy that comes to rink, he's got a low ego – he doesn't need attention – and he's got a high output," said Griffins interim head coach Michael Ringrose. "He's always pushing and always puts forth his best effort. He leads by example on the ice and he's vocal in the dressing room. He's an exceptional leader for our group."
The son of a former NHL player – dad Steve Gotaas played 52 NHL games for Pittsburgh and Minnesota from 1987 to 1991 – Cam Gotaas brings some unique experiences to his ACAC career. He never saw his dad play live in the NHL; Cam was born in Kalamazoo, MI when his father was playing for the Kalamazoo Wings of the now-defunct International Hockey League.
"It was unique growing up because he had some interesting insight," he said. "For now, he's kind of let me be. He's kind of soaking in the experience, as well, where he actually gets to sit back and watch his son play hockey.
"Maybe it's kind of like him watching himself out there. But I think he gets more enjoyment out of watching me."
Cam Gotaas has a younger sister – Katie Gotaas – who is entering her second season of U Sports hockey with STFX in Halifax, NS.
"I'm not sure if she really cares how I'm doing, being the older brother," he chuckled. "But I should probably watch more games than I do. I try to keep up to date with her stats. Mom and Dad are always telling me how she's doing. With school, sometimes it's hard to watch a game when you're got an exam to study for."
The Griffins have become like a second family for Cam Gotaas, who entered as one of five former Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL) on the team. Quickly, the entire team was friends.
"We really gelled," he said. "I would say it's probably the tightest-knit group I've ever been a part of playing hockey. That was a huge part of why we won."
And a huge part of why they'll get to see their championship banner unveiled on Saturday.
"It's the first time I've ever won a championship, so I'm looking forward to it," he said. "It's going to be very exciting and will bring back up some emotions, I'm sure. But at the same time, we've got a hockey game to play after it, as well."
And a new season to prepare for – one where they'll have a target on their backs as defending champs. The Griffins will be among the favourites to win it again. They have 19 players returning from the championship squad and have added six new recruits – including former WHL player Tyler Mrkonjic and former NCAA player Sean MacTavish.
"Certainly, we're going to play with pace," said Ringrose, who is taking over the program from Bram Stephen this season. "We're going to play with structure. And to me those are two things that produce an exciting brand of hockey. Those are things that you can expect from our group this year."
