Cam Ellsworth
Birth dateJuly 8, 1980 (age 46)
Birth placeLeamington, Ontario, Canada
Current teamNorwich
Current conferenceNEHC
Alma materMichigan Technological University
Player years 12001–2005
Player team 1Michigan Tech
Player years 22005–2006
Player team 2Augusta Lynx
Player years 32005–2006
Player team 3Greenville Grrrowl
Player years 42006–2008
Player team 4Stockton Thunder
Player years 52007–2008
Player team 5Pensacola Ice Pilots
Player positionsGoaltender
Overall record66–14–10 ()
Tournament record2–1 ()
Championships2019 NEHC tournament champion
2020 NEHC champion
2020 NEHC tournament champion
Awards2020 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 IndiansNAHL46291152587962.9162.23302--0.8554.19
2000–01Soo IndiansNAHL413290---.9162.111055---.9232.66
2001–02Michigan TechWCHA28519214921140.8664.58--------
2002–03Michigan TechWCHA351021320251331.8933.94--------
2003–04Michigan TechWCHA2451421308840.8883.85--------
2004–05Michigan TechWCHA3071831708921.9163.23--------
2005–06Augusta LynxECHL10016540.9003.70--------
2005–06Greenville GrrrowlECHL34221012001944.9022.821-------
2006–07Stockton ThunderECHL32141331835801.9072.62--------
2007–08Stockton ThunderECHL9350477300.8853.77--------
2007–08Pensacola Ice PilotsECHL37826322341320.8953.55--------
NCAA totals11727721065334232.8923.88--------
ECHL totals1134754866123405.8993.091-------

Awards and honors

AwardYear
All-WCHA Third Team2004–05[6]

References

  1. ^ "American Hockey Coaches Association". Archived from the original on 2010-01-16. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
  2. ^ "Cam Ellsworth". Norwich Cadets. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  3. ^ "Cam Ellsworth". Linked In. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  4. ^ "UMass Lowell men's hockey History and Records". UMass Lowell River Hawks. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  5. ^ "NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships due to coronavirus concerns". NCAA.com. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  6. ^ "All-WCHA Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved 2014-04-13.