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Continuing the Gaudette family pipeline at Northeastern University

July 13, 2021, 12:17 PM ET [0 Comments]
Anthony Travalgia
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As Adam Gaudette was dominating college hockey at Northeastern University during the 2017-18 season to the tune of 30 goals and 30 assists in 38 games, brother Cam was watching from the stands at Matthews Arena, hoping someday, that would be him.

Adam would win the Hobey Baker that season, putting the cap on what was three extremely successful seasons at Northeastern, turning pro and playing five games with the Vancouver Canucks later that season.

“I always went to games, it was awesome to go there, and it was awesome to see the Beanpot and stuff like that,” Cam Gaudette told HockeyBuzz. “He’d performed well, and it was awesome seeing him excel there and just seeing him do well was always special to me.”

Now, with the 2021-22 hockey season rapidly approaching, Cam will have the opportunity to pick up where Adam left off, set to begin his freshman season at Northeastern in the fall.

Cam committed to Northeastern in June of 2020, set to play under head coach Jim Madigan. But the longtime Huskies coach stepped away from his head coach position to assume the role of Athletic Director for the University last month.

After serving as assistant coach under Madigan for 10 years, Jerry Keefe was promoted to head coach.

“I’ve had a close relationship with the coaches there, Madigan and Keefe,” said Cam. “My brother had a great relationship with them, and I know they’re great coaches, true to their word. They’re player coaches from what I’ve been told and always there for their players and on top of that, just being great coaches in general.”

Adam’s tenure at Northeastern was one of the best the program has seen, finishing his three-year college career with 142 points in 116 games.

Cam knows what his brother managed to do at Northeastern, and what he’s done since at the NHL level. He knows he’s often compared to Adam and the career he’s had.

“I think I already am compared, or already in the shadows or whatever. I’m always getting chirped in games and stuff like that, but it never really affects me,” Cam said.

“Obviously my brother has been successful, but it will never bother me, even if I ever am. I just do my own thing and keep pushing. I don’t really care what people think, I just do my own thing.”

Cam is the youngest of three boys. Middle brother Brady is entering his junior year at the University of Maine where he appeared in 13 games for the Black Bears last season.

While Brady went out of state, electing not to follow in his brother’s footsteps, Cam always knew what he wanted.

“It’s close to home and the Beanpot, it’s just a no-brainer for me that If I had the choice to go there, I’d take it for sure which I did. If I had the choice to stay at any other school, I’d still stay at Northeastern,” he said. “This is my dream school, playing close to home in front of friends and family and in intense games like the Beanpot and Hockey East playoffs.”

Cam begins his college career at Northeastern at the perfect time. Winners of three-straight Beanpot titles, he is excited to finally get to play in one of his own after watching the tournament each February.

It means a lot (to play in the Beanpot), always gone there every year, even before my brother went there,” said Cam.

“Just watching all that talent, it’s a great two days of unbelievable hockey and it’s just cool to know some guys before my brother went there and you see all of your friends at the games. It will be cool playing knowing that your friends and family will be there, just an awesome experience.”

Cam joins a young, but talented group of Huskies that are looking to build on what was a solid, but disappointing season last year.

Newly named captain Jordan Harris (Montreal) is returning after turning down an offer to turn pro with the Canadiens. Players such as Devon Levi, (Florida) Gunnerwolfe Fontaine (Nashville) and Sam Colangelo (Anaheim) should take big steps forwards in their development, making the Huskies one of the favorites in Hockey East.

“It’s pretty huge knowing that we’ll be good for a few years and I don’t season any reason why we wouldn’t, we got great young guys that had success last year—all the freshman and sophomores,” said Cam. “Even later in my career there I still think we’ll be a top team and do really well, that will be huge.”

Cam refers to himself a physical defenseman that can pitch in offensively when needed, pretty much on par with what the Huskies blue line has looked like in the past.
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