Cam Ellsworth Explained

Cam Ellsworth
Birth Date:8 July 1980
Birth Place:Leamington, Ontario, Canada
Current Title:Head Coach
Current Team:Norwich
Current Conference:NEHC
Alma Mater:Michigan Technological University
Player Years1:2001–2005
Player Team1:Michigan Tech
Player Years2:2005–2006
Player Team2:Augusta Lynx
Player Years3:2005–2006
Player Team3:Greenville Grrrowl
Player Years4:2006–2008
Player Team4:Stockton Thunder
Player Years5:2007–2008
Player Team5:Pensacola Ice Pilots
Player Positions:Goaltender
Coach Years1:2008–2011
Coach Team1:Sioux City Musketeers (asst.)
Coach Years2:2011–2018
Coach Team2:Massachusetts–Lowell (asst.)
Coach Years3:2018–Present
Coach Team3:Norwich
Overall Record:66–14–10
Tournament Record:2–1
Championships:2019 NEHC tournament champion
2020 NEHC champion
2020 NEHC tournament champion
Awards:2020 Edward Jeremiah Award

Cam Ellsworth is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former player who was the NCAA Division III coach of the year in 2020.[1]

Career

After a very successful junior career with the Soo Indians, Ellsworth joined the program at Michigan Tech. He arrived during the team's dark age when the Huskies were routinely finishing near the bottom of the conference standings. As a result, his four years as a starter ended with an abysmal record of 27–72–10. He did, however, set program records for both games played (117) and saves (3,510).[2] Even with the poor results, Ellsworth performed well enough in goal to embark on a professional career after graduating with a degree in business administration.[3] Over the course of three years, Ellsworth played for four teams in the ECHL, producing decent results at times. He retired as a player in 2008.

Following his playing career, Ellsworth moved behind the bench as an assistant coach for the Sioux City Musketeers. He worked with the club for three seasons before returning to the college ranks. During his 7-year stint with Massachusetts–Lowell, Ellsworth helped the team reach the Frozen Four for the first time in program history while also receiving an MBA.[4]

Upon the retirement of long-time Norwich head coach, Mike McShane in 2018, Ellsworth was named as the successor. In his first year behind the bench, Ellsworth led the team to the national championship game, falling to an undefeated Wisconsin–Stevens Point team. The next year, the Cadets' starter, Tom Aubrun, produced one of the most stunning performances by allowing 21 goals in 27 games and setting several NCAA records including 13 shutouts. Norwich was the #2 team entering the NCAA Tournament and a heavy favorite with Aubrun not having allowed a goal in over 9 games. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the team from getting a shot at the national title.[5] Despite the cancellation of the tournament, Ellsworth was named as the national coach of the year.

Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

  Regular Season Playoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPWLT/OTMINGASOGAASV%GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
1998–99Oakville BladesOPJHL23 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1999–00Soo IndiansNAHL46 29 11 5 2587 96 2 .916 2.233 0 2 - - 0 .855 4.19
2000–01Soo IndiansNAHL41 32 9 0 - - - .916 2.1110 5 5 - - - .923 2.66
2001–02Michigan TechWCHA28 5 19 2 1492 114 0 .866 4.58- - - - - - - -
2002–03Michigan TechWCHA35 10 21 3 2025 133 1 .893 3.94- - - - - - - -
2003–04Michigan TechWCHA24 5 14 2 1308 84 0 .888 3.85- - - - - - - -
2004–05Michigan TechWCHA30 7 18 3 1708 92 1 .916 3.23- - - - - - - -
2005–06Augusta LynxECHL1 0 0 1 65 4 0 .900 3.70- - - - - - - -
2005–06Greenville GrrrowlECHL34 22 10 1 2001 94 4 .902 2.821 - - - - - - -
2006–07Stockton ThunderECHL32 14 13 3 1835 80 1 .907 2.62- - - - - - - -
2007–08Stockton ThunderECHL9 3 5 0 477 30 0 .885 3.77- - - - - - - -
2007–08Pensacola Ice PilotsECHL37 8 26 3 2234 132 0 .895 3.55- - - - - - - -
NCAA totals117 27 72 10 6533 423 2 .892 3.88- - - - - - - -
ECHL totals113 47 54 8 6612 340 5 .899 3.091 - - - - - - -

Notes and References

  1. Web site: American Hockey Coaches Association . 2012-07-11 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100116180435/http://www.ahcahockey.com/coty.html . 2010-01-16 .
  2. News: Cam Ellsworth . Norwich Cadets . August 10, 2022.
  3. News: Cam Ellsworth . Linked In . August 10, 2022.
  4. News: UMass Lowell men's hockey History and Records . UMass Lowell River Hawks . November 15, 2019.
  5. Web site: NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships due to coronavirus concerns. NCAA.com. March 12, 2020. March 12, 2020.
  6. News: All-WCHA Teams. College Hockey Historical Archives. 2014-04-13.