After averaging nearly a point per game in during his rookie USHL season, Cam was Neutral Zone’s 177th rated player entering the 2020 NHL Draft. Although he went undrafted, Neutral Zone’s scouts still feel Cam has the overall game to be a National League player and we will continue to watch him closely for the 2021 NHL Draft.
| Cameron Berg | Muskegon Lumberjacks | USHL | L | F | 6’0″ | 192 | Nebraska Omaha | 2021 | White Bear Lake, MN | 2002 | 2019-2020: C+ |
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, April 2021: I like how Cameron plays and I really like how he competes every game, every shift. Especially how he works away from the puck. He forechecks like he understands that there is a purpose to what he’s doing. Lots of guys go flying in hard as an F1, but he understands that he’s cutting the ice in half, taking away time and space. He is excellent at containing the corner and turning that into a turnover. His stick take may take away passing lanes, but it also looks like he has the skill to knock down sauce passes. He’s just as good as an F2 or F3, reading or anticipating the breakout and causing more disruption. We had him as a “C+” last year and he looks like that would have been a steal.
USHL: Muskegon Lumberjacks vs. Youngstown Phantoms, March 26, 2021: Berg is the epitome of an all-around hockey player. He plays the game the right way; he’s hard, he’s direct, he competes at both ends, he has details to his game and a selfless, blue collar approach. He scored a nice one-touch on a hard net drive with his stick on the ice that showed some hands and touch around the goalmouth. He stopped on pucks, he got back on the backcheck, he finished checks and covered his points in the defensive zone with his stick in lanes. He can play anywhere in the lineup, he can score from both inside and outside, he doesn’t shy away from the tough areas and he gives you consistent effort every shift. Not flashy but plays a winning brand of hockey. College: Nebraska-Omaha Grade: B+
USHL: Dubuque vs Muskegon, January 2, 2021: Berg competed hard in this game for Muskegon and showed off good north/south speed, especially with the puck on his stick. He created some turnovers and loose pucks on the forecheck, driving his feet to put pressure on opponents. Through the neutral zone he has good vision, making accurate passes to teammates in support, helping to generate rush opportunities. Without the puck Berg is physical and competes hard in battles to win it back. He likes going to the dirty of the ice, looking for screens and tips offensively in front of the net. In his defensive end berg is responsible and does a good job of helping his defenseman low and in front of the net. Overall, Berg had a good game for Muskegon and competed consistently. Grade: B
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, December 2020: Cameron has turned himself into a legit goal scorer in the USHL. Over his past 42 games he has 29 goals and his goals come in every way. He has a quick release and can fire it while his feet are moving, he can one-time poor passes and he does not need to dust it off after his first touch. But when watching him the thing that stands out is Cameron’s compete. He does not stop. He will not be out worked and he has a second or third effort that coaches crave. He also looks bigger, thicker and more physically ready for the professional game. One year ago we watched Cameron play against Lincoln and he was generously listed at 5’10” 180lbs. Today he looks like the 6’0″ 192lbs that is reported on the roster and he still looks like he can carry more weight. Obviously that’s a huge difference in twelve months, but the thing that really stands out is he looks faster at 192lbs. Quicker and certainly more powerful. I honestly think Cameron should have been drafted last year and I think he not only gets drafted in 2021, I think he continues moving up NHL organization’s draft lists.
USHL: Dubuque vs Muskegon, November 2020: Berg proved to be really effective when he had a chance to put the puck in the net in this game. On Muskegon’s first goal he set himself up perfectly to receive a hard pass from Gushchin on the powerplay and fire a one-timer into the back of the net. Following that up, on Muskegon’s second goal Berg made a great individual effort to poke the puck around a defender, drive in towards the net and make a beautiful move on the goalie to deposit his second of the game. Berg displayed a clear nose for the net and paired with his skill, he looked used to putting pucks in the back of the net. Grade: A-
USHL: Muskegon Lumberjacks Draft Prospects, December 2019: Cameron had a great night and was all over the place registering 2-1-3 in the game. He had energy and used his strong skating ability to his advantage. His shot is heavy and he showed the ability to score from the top of the circles. Nonstop motor tonight along and showed he can make skill plays when needed. He had a strong impact on the game and was responsible down the middle. He has the ability to make a strong push as a late draft pick if he can put more games together like this down the stretch. GAME GRADE: A-
USHL: Omaha vs. Lincoln, November 2019: A good skater, Berg was able to get himself in good position in all zones. He had a nice assist on a 2-on-1 where he separated himself from the defensive player and fed his teammate on the rush. He was in good lanes defensively, and was a positive player for his team–finishing with one assist and +2. Grade: B+
USHL – Omaha Lancers NHL Prospects, October 2019: Cam is still adjusting to Junior hockey after successful Midget and youth career. While we think it is important to track the next stages of development, we do not feel that Cam is currently rated higher than an NHL “C” Grade. We will be watching the season progress.
NTDP Evaluation Camp Report, March 2018: Berg came to camp off a wrist injury and did his best to play through it but wasn’t 100%. He’s a strong skating, first on the puck, hard-working forward who has not quit or no fear to his game. He finishes checks, he goes hard to the dirty areas and isn’t afraid to drive the net and dig pucks out of corners. His speed and compete level are his two greatest strengths but he’s also strong on his skates and on the puck and can fire it. His shot is not just power, he is able to get it off in tight areas and with little windup and he shoots to score. He didn’t make as many plays as we were accustomed to seeing here, but he showed his grit and speed consistently and was highly effective away from the puck. College: Nebraska-Omaha
HPHL U16 Plymouth, MI Showcase, February 2018: A quick first couple of steps and the strong push after to be able to attack with speed. He was a constant threat with the puck on the rush as he would fire the puck with velocity. He competed extremely hard and went into all of the traffic areas to win pucks. His ability to play fast and physical with speed made him a player that got things done. COLLEGE: NEBRASKA-OMAHA
CCM World Hockey Invite U16 , December 2017: Cameron showed a big-time compete level along with the ability to finish. He flew through the neutral zone and beat defenders down the wing. He had a big time shot and snapped it off with velocity and accuracy. It was evident that he had an extra gear and was able to separate from defenders. He showed the willingness to go to the hard areas and pay the price to get opportunities. College: Nebraska Omaha
Minnesota Bantam AA State Tournament, March 2017: Berg is a good size, strong skating forward who plays both ends of the ice well. We like his hands and how he can handle the puck in tight quarters. Usually he is the scoring force for WBL but this weekend Newpower took the reins and Berg chipped in when he could, scoring a nice goal in the PP vs Moorhead, catching a pass from the point in the slot, and maneuvering around the goalie before tucking it in. Cameron should be a WHL pick this Spring and a USNTDP-U17 could come calling in a year for their evaluation camp as well.