| Camron VanSickle | Green Bay Gamblers | USHL | L | F | 6’0″ | 195 | Denver | 2022 | North Pole, AK | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
USA Hockey Selects 17’s, July 14, 2021: VanSickle is a big, strong power forward who played some games with Green Bay (USHL) this season and continues to diversify his skill set. He’s got a power game, he’s got a skill game, he’s got a speed game and he’s got a grit game. He has put on some muscle which has taken away some of his burst and first step quickness but he’s stronger on the puck, he can get to the net and power through bodies and his explosive release has gotten even better. He’s a mature player; he catches hard passes in stride, he stays on the right side of the play, he has a powerful one-timer and follows plays up to the net stopping in front with his stick on the ice. He showed touch around the net settling a bouncing rebound and noticing the goalie was down was able to elevate the puck over his pad with little to no room. Van Sickle has a hard net drive which shows both his speed and balance and he is tough to defend against because he can beat defenders in a multitude of ways (speed, power, finesse, shooting, toughness). He had a goal and an assist and was kept off the All Star team which he’s good enough to play better but at the same time we appreciated the development in his game as a two way player demonstrating good stick in his own end, hard nosed penalty killing, playing the body and getting pucks out on the breakout. He can play up and down the roster and should have a chance in Green Bay to play for a top team and carve out a role. College: Denver Grade: B+
U16: Appleton, WI Showcase, February 24, 2021: Good size forward, quick, patient, and smart. Camron has joined the U16’s from the Gamblers USHL team for the rest of the season. He dominated in Game 2, picking up an assist and 2 goals. Camron’s assist came when he started the rush in the neutral zone sending Beahm and Hunter in on a 2on1. His goals were scored on the powerplay and on a backdoor tap in. The powerplay goal, Camron found space on the backdoor and Hunter made a great pass to him and Evan buried the pass. The second goal, Camron turned on the jets and went to the backdoor and Hunter again found him this time for an easy tap in goal. Camron was playing at a high pace, found open ice and buried his chances. This should be a great addition the U16’s for the remainder of the season. Grade A-
USHL/NAHL: Green Bay Gamblers vs Janesville Jets, January 22, 2021: In 11:47 of even strength ice time VanSickle was a positive factor for the Gamblers tonight. He was a constant presence in front of Janesville’s net and was rewarded with 1 goal on 4 high quality scoring chances. He handled hard passes in stride and showed some wiggle by avoiding potential huge open ice hits in the neutral zone after receiving passes. In general he looked more comfortable with the pace of play and was very effective at cycling the puck with his linemates.
USHL: Green Bay Gamblers vs Chicago Steel, November 20, 2020: In 5:08 of even strength playing time VanSickle had 3 giveaways compared to 1 takeaway. As he transitions into Junior hockey he is going to have to learn when and how to change on the fly. A lot of times it’s difficult for a younger player to realize that a 25 second shift that positively impacts the game is far more beneficial for his overall ice time than trying to stretch out an extra 10-15 seconds just hoping for that chance to score. He was guilty of a few hopeful shifts in this one.
USHL: Green Bay Gamblers vs USNTDP U17, October 23, 2020: VanSickle saw fourth line action in this preseason game. He started out fairly conservatively, but picked up his pace and confidence as the game wore on. This was clearly evident in his game totals for giveaway versus takeaways. During the first two periods VanSickle had 5 giveaways, 3 in the first & 2 in the second, compared with 0 in the third period. His goal in the third period is another example of how the game slowed down for him. He came off the bench to catch Team USA in a long shift. His linemates were the first two on the forecheck and were below the goal line. Rather than rushing full speed down the slot looking for a turnover, VanSickle showed poise and awareness by taking away the wall. His patience allowed him to pick off an attempted breakout pass, he then executed a perfect give & go that resulted in a royal road feed for a one timer goal. A great game for the first rounder to build on.
USHL Draft Recap, May 8, 2020: He is a long, gifted player that can score and sees the whole ice. He plays a high compete, dog-on-a-bone type game, wins puck battles and can get to the net with a combination of power, will and skill. His best attribute is his versatility; he can play power play, penalty kill, he blocks shots, takes hits to make plays and can get off checks in the offensive zone and make plays in traffic.
Brian Murphy; VP and Director of US Scouting on Camron VanSickle. May 5, 2020: There very few players who seem to become more relaxed and more focused near the net. You almost see a smile one their faces. Rutger McGroarty would be one. Camron CanSickle is another. He is cool, cold blooded, poised; a goalie assassin. I don’t believe his pulse gets much over 75 as he rips pucks home. I love how he moves to scoring spots and tracks rebound. His stick is always prepared and strong as he drives the net. He has plenty of wiggle and that often surprises opponents. He mostly lets the puck do all the work and slips into the side or high slot. Camron can wrap the puck around in a hurry and is rangy. His speed is fine now but will get better as his frame is wiry, athletic and begging for more weight and strength. The Denver commit also is a terrific passer and most goal scorers are but what I like is watching him near the net. It’s just different. High ceiling for the Denver commit. Everyone is looking for scorers and Camron is one at 6’1″ plus!
U15 HPHL Playoffs, February 14, 2020: Cam is a big, strong kid who works hard on the forecheck and will play a physical game. He is a smart player who has good vision and has the ability to set up his teammates for goals. He has a quick release as he scored a top shelf goal in tight traffic. He is effective on the cycle as he uses size and strength to protect the puck. In the championship game he raised his level of play as he scored on a penalty shot, shooting low glove. In the third period with the game tied he received a pass in the slot and used his quick release to score the game winning goal.
Toronto Marlies Classic, February 2, 2020: VanSickle is a throwback player who is highly skilled and not afraid to drive the net as a decoy for his teammates. He has quick hands that trick defenders and will step by them if they play the puck. He knows to have his stick down going to the net with this talented group and was rewarded with a redirection goal against Clarington. Grade: B+
Whitby Silver Stick (2004), December 2019: VanSickle who was absent at the Battle of the Borders a few weeks before definitely left an impression as a reliable player in all situations. He may not have blazing speed, but he is a smooth skating winger who relies on outthinking defenders rather than beating them with speed. He has quick hands and pulls defenders wide on entries and will often hit the seam coming across or delays to give another player time to get to the net where he hits them with a pass. VanSickle plays with his head up and assesses the situation before getting to the puck and demonstrates a great work ethic every shift. Grade: A-
USA Hockey Select 15 Development Camp, August 24, 2019: Vansickle has real strength and had his way along the wall. He scored a nice goalie as he came off the edge and buried on day one against Black. He followed it up with a nice celly which we liked. He is heavy and he hit to create turnovers on the forecheck. He took an offensive zone penalty which was some youthful overexuberance. He zipped passes on the rush wall to wall and also was consistent getting pucks up and out, usually via a pass to his center from the wall. His feet are still a work in progress but we liked them in the 3v3 portion as he is quick but not yet a burner. His reach and strength really help him in traffic and in front of the net. He is balanced and often used his wide stickhandle to get defenseman off balance and bully his way to the cage. We think he is a scorer as his hands are smooth and he has a nose for the cage. He did not do that a lot here but was a huge part of LC winning the National Championship. The U15 level will be good for his development next year as he can expand his overall game. His ability to separate is an area he must focus. Grade: B- College: Univ. of Denver
USA Hockey Nationals U14, April 30, 2019: VanSickle picked up three goals and three assists here. He is long and can fire the puck. He can catch and shoot or rip pucks on the rush. We liked his diversity as he showed he can play a lot of different ways. Played on the first line and first power play. Also, showed a gritty side as he was able to carve himself space. We never saw him have a bad first touch. He has terrific, soft hands. He can dangle/toe drag around opponents off the cycle or in space. Camron has a nice frame that can take on weight, Tons of upside for the North Pole, AK native. Played cool as a cucumber with very few mistakes. College: Denver
Silver Stick Finals 2004s, February 10, 2019: Camron is long, athletic and played with great pace here. He can access all his skills at top speed. Instinctive offensive player as he seems to know where to do with and without the puck. Takes great paths to pucks and values possession. Has slick hands but does not force them on the game. Takes the less risky path usually. He is strong enough to win battles in the trenches and skilled enough to make people miss. It seems like he waits and if it’s time to take a game over, he can do that. Got better as the games got bigger. He is highly athletic and on one play twisted his body to make a pass to Nazar for a goal that defied the laws of physics. His talents are versatile and he is one of the top prospects here because his abilities will translate in any style game. Grade: A
CCM World Invite, November 14, 2018: VanSickle has a real nice combination of size, speed, and skill. He can beat defenders one-on-one but also can dish the puck off well and find open teammates. Nice vision and overall instincts. Grade: A
U14: USHL Fall Classic, October 24, 2018: Vansickle has a tall, athletic build, he’s strong on the puck and has a quick, powerful release. He is smart, patient with the puck and allows the play to develop and then moves it to the soft spots. He can handle the puck in space and in traffic, he skates through checks and makes plays all over the ice. His skill set translates well at the next level because of his versatility; he can get to the net and play a power game or he can pull up on the rush, create separation and hit the late trailer with a pass in the scoring lane. Grade: B+
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Game Stats are from InStat.