Catching Up with Comets’ Rookie, Cam Squires
Dec 1, 2025Utica, NY – Last week, we grabbed some time with Comets’ forward and first-year pro, Cam Squires.
Squires was born and grew up in Charlottetown, the capital and largest city of Canada’s province of Prince Edward Island. Despite it being the capital, he described it as a small town where everyone knew everyone.
Coming from a smaller family, Cam recounted his first experience out on the ice with his brother Jacob, who is two years his senior. “I think I was about four years old. My dad rented a sheet of ice for an hour, tossed me and my brother out there, and basically told us to learn to skate. We probably cried for the first 20 minutes and then realized we weren’t getting off the ice and had to go from there.”
Squires’ father, who played hockey collegiately and went on to coach at the junior level, was a pivotal figure as Cam learned how to play the game as a kid. Cam was also close with his brother, essentially following his path from youth hockey through the junior ranks. He even had the privilege of being teammates with Jacob for one year when they played for the Cape Breton Eagles of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in 2021-22.
Growing up on an island and being surrounded by water made for a fun upbringing. The summer consisted of frequent trips to the beach and country music concerts, and during the winter, Squires and his friends would skate for hours on the frozen lake. He looks forward to spending time at home in the offseason, describing it as the perfect place to reset.
Prior to his career in the QMJHL, Squires made his way south of the border to Rochester, NY where he played for the Bishop Kearney Selects 15U AAA team. While playing major junior had always been a goal of his, he said playing for Bishop Kearney allowed him to assess the prospect of going the NCAA route. He ultimately decided on the junior hockey path when he was drafted by Cape Breton. Having the opportunity to be close to home and to play with his brother made it virtually a perfect situation as he began his junior career.
Squires recorded 34 points in his first season with the Eagles and then took off the following three seasons, notching 64 points, 72 points, and 75 points, respectively. When asked what helped him hit his stride, he said, “It was the right situation for me. Coming into Cape Breton, the team was in a little bit of a rebuild and I was able to slide in and work my way up. You’re in a new environment and you’re playing against older guys, so you have to earn your respect and find your way.”
In 2023, the Squires family headed to Nashville where Cam was selected in the fourth round of the NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils. While he said it was a stressful day, it was a special moment that he was grateful to share with his family. It also served as an emotional boost as he headed into his final two years with Cape Breton and prepared for the next step on his journey.
His pro debut came in April of last season. After Cape Breton was eliminated in the playoffs by his current teammate Matyas Melovksy’s club, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, Squires had a week to recuperate before making his way to Utica. On April 16th against Toronto, in his first pro game with the Comets, Squires scored the first goal of the game and recorded three assists over the next two games to finish out the regular season. Reflecting on his first few games, he noted, “I came in and the team had a few games left. I just showed up to practice and played where they put me in the lineup. I was fortunate to get the opportunity to play with some good players last year. It was fun to come in and be a breath of fresh air around the guys. I just tried to use my speed and take it shift by shift.”
Squires had the privilege of attending NHL training camp in New Jersey prior to the start of this season. As one of the younger guys out there at just 20 years of age, he embraced the opportunity to be around NHL veterans and observe their daily habits at the rink. He also noted the importance of having a growth mindset, not being concerned about the possibility of being cut, but focusing on putting his best foot forward and making a good first impression.
After leaving New Jersey, Squires spent nearly two weeks at Comets training camp before arriving in Glens Falls where he would start the season with Utica’s ECHL affiliate, the Adirondack Thunder. Prior to his recent callup to the Comets, he played in eight games with the Thunder, recording two goals and an assist. He described it as a very positive experience, praising the coaching staff for their support and for promoting the mantra, ‘less is more.’ He’s also grateful for the advice that he got from some of the older guys on the team.
Back in Utica, Cam is focused on taking things one day at a time and honing his craft each practice. Away from the rink and during the offseason, he enjoys spending time outdoors, fishing and golfing. He also shared that he has the rare trait of being ambidextrous.
Squires and the Comets are back at home this Friday against the Bridgeport Islanders at 7 pm. For tickets, just visit uticacomets.com/tickets or call 315-790-9070.