Assistant coach, Cam Keith, of the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL has accepted the role of head coach of the Trail Smoke Eaters. Along with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL the Cyclones are a minor league affiliate of the NHL’s Nashville Predators. The ECHL is a tier below the AHL and both leagues are the only minor leagues recognized by the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the NHL Players Association.
Cam is a native of Nelson, BC and made his coaching debut with Cincinnati after completing a 10-year playing career, spanning three leagues as well as overseas. In 146 games in the AHL with Hartford, St. John’s and Peoria he amassed 36 points, (14 goals, 22 assists). In 213 regular season games in the ECHL he scored 54 goals along with 98 assists for a total of 152 points. In the ECHL he played for the Pensecola Ice Pilots and the Alaska Aces winning the Kelly Cup with the Aces in 2006. The Partrick J. Kelly Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champions of the ECHL. In that playoff year he finished 7th overall on the Aces with 12 points (6 goals and 6 assists) in 17 games and was instrumental in helping his team capture the cup. In post season contests, playing for the Kelly Cup, Cam was nearly a point-per-game player stockpiling 43 points (13 goals, 30 assists) in 49 games.
During his tenure in collegiate hockey, playing for University of Alaska-Fairbanks. he accrued 100 points with 41 goals and 59 assists in 144 games. He finished in the Nanooks top six in scoring during each of his four seasons.
During his BCHL career Cam played for the Victoria Salsa in 1997/98 and 1998/99 seasons. He played for the Trail Smoke Eaters during the 1999/2000 season and in 54 games had 28 goals and 30 assists for 58 points.
Cam also played in the CHL, Italy Serie A, a European Elite hockey league and Del-2 (Germany), the second highest level in Germany.
On bringing Cam on board with Cincinnati, Matt Macdonald, head coach, said he was confident Cam would bring a high level of professionalism, work ethic and knowledge to the team. The Smoke Eaters are also confident that Cam will bring those same attributes to our organization.
“My past experience in Trail and my roots in the Kootenays have drawn me back to Trail hockey and the BCHL,” quoted Cam. “My history with the Trail community gives me the confidence and pride to recruit the character players that best exemplifies Trail Smoke Eater Hockey.” “I am deeply honored to be selected as the Head Coach for the Trail Smoke Eaters and look forward to giving back to a community that gave me so much.”
The Smoke Eaters welcome Cam and his family to Trail and wish him the best of luck for the coming season.
