麻豆社区

Reid Campbell cemented his place in NCAA hockey history last weekend, winning his third national championship in a four-year span.

On Saturday, his St. Norbert College Green Knights beat out the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Pointers 3-1 in the title game of the NCAA鈥圖ivision III Frozen Four tournament in Lewiston, Maine.

The win gave Campbell the third ring of his college career.

"It's an unbelievable feeling,鈥� the 25-year-old native of Haines Junction told the Star from De Pere, Wis., today.

"Knowing it's your last kick at the can, I鈥坱hink it's pretty cool to go out on top. It's kind of sinking in now, but it took a while, that's for sure.鈥�

Campbell, a senior defenceman and assistant captain with the Green Knights, scored a big goal in his club's 6-2 semifinal win over the Geneseo Knights, one night before the championship win.

The Yukoner's shot from the point at 5:23 of the first got St. Norbert on the board.

"I don't score too often, but it's nice to chip in offensively every once in a while,鈥� Campbell chuckled. "It was a slapshot that had seeing eyes ... It felt pretty special.鈥�

The national title capped a record year for the Green Knights, which saw the club put together a 28-3-1 record, its most wins in a season.

Getting a chance to hoist the coveted U.S. college trophy once more was a feeling Campbell couldn't quite put into words.

"I feel like your last one is the sweetest,鈥濃�坔e said of the three national titles to his name. "Going out on top 鈥� I don't think there's a better feeling.鈥�

Longtime Green Knights coach Tom Coghlin said Campbell was the heart and soul of his club for the past four seasons.

"We got Reid out of Powell River four years ago, where he had been a stalwart defenceman for them,鈥� Coghlin said.

"He was just a Steady Eddy guy, an energy guy, and was one of their team leaders. We brought him into the mix and he did exactly the same thing for us for four years.

"He's really the emotional leader of this team. He's a real vocal guy, vocal in the locker room and he brings it every night. He plays with his heart on his sleeve and never takes a shift or a practice off.鈥�

Coghlin, who turned 50 two days after the championship victory, said replacing Campbell and the rest of the graduating seniors will be a tall task for him and his staff this off-season.

Campbell and the rest of St. Norbert's senior players joined rare company with their third U.S. title.

"I think we're maybe only the third class ever in the history of NCAA to win three times in four years,鈥� he said. "It's something special and something I'll remember forever.鈥�

Off the ice, Campbell is working on wrapping up a degree in communications and business.

While unsure of what's in store for his future and hockey career, he expects to return home to the Yukon this summer.

Campbell plans to share his extra championship rings with two people who helped make his career a reality.

"I鈥坱hink I鈥坢ight end up giving one to my dad (Boyd) and one to my brother (Evan),鈥� he said.

"They supported me throughout the four years and I wouldn't be here without my family, so I think it'd be kind of cool if each of us had one.鈥�

Campbell has received plenty of congratulatory texts from his Yukon supporters since his latest victory.

"I've got a lot of friends and family back in the Yukon who have supported me over four years,鈥� he said.

"They've all got my back. It's pretty cool to know that people are watching the games and supporting me.鈥�