A pond filled with kids skating around, but one little boy stood out. He would stand up and immediately fall. His dad would skate over, and pick him right up like nothing even happened. Shortly after the boy would plop right back to the ground, crying. This would continue until finally, he started to get the hang of it. That little boy was Cam MacPherson, at the age of four, learning how to skate for the first time. 

This is how MacPherson’s childhood went. His love for the sport started at a young age. Growing up in a hockey family made it almost impossible to not admire the sport. 

Little Cam MacPherson was often seen running off the bus to his dad with a big smile on his face. “The first thing he would ask me after school was if we could watch hockey,” his father said, “That’s when I knew he was going to be a hockey player.”

A lot of nights in the MacPherson household the TV would be on, and game film running. Watching the games his father would point out where he should have been on the ice, or how he should have played the puck. The two, bundled up on the couch, full concentration on the screen, would continue switching from film to NHL games for hours. 

MacPherson’s father, Chris MacPherson, played hockey for Skidmore College. From coaching his son’s youth teams to skating with him, he spread his love of the game. 

“I would consider my dad as my role model, 100%,” MacPherson said. “There are not many games that he missed if any at all. His knowledge of the game is insane and I would not be the player I am without him.”

Starting at a young age it was clear he was one of the better players in his age group. Growing up he played on numerous different club teams with other high-level players. He played for the Minuteman Flames for seven years but most recently MacPherson joined the River Rats, where he had 17 goals and 15 assists, after only half of the season.  

Earl Cronan coached MacPherson on the Minuteman Flames.

“I wasn’t fully aware of the player I was receiving until I watched Cam on the ice for the first time. Not only is Cam one of the most hardworking players I have coached his vision of the ice is as one of an upperclassman. His ability to score and make plays all originates from his outstanding vision and understanding of the game,” Cronan said.

MacPherson embraced his love of the sport.

His neighbors soon got used to the sight of him and his friends playing street hockey for hours every weekend. The sound of the sticks smacking against the pavement and boys’ voices yelling at each other was a common occurrence. When the group wanted to switch to basketball or maybe video games MacPherson was the one to convince everyone to continue playing street hockey until it got too dark to see anything. 

“I have never met someone who likes hockey as much as Cam does,” MacPherson’s friend, Cory DeCosta, said. “It amazes me.”

Combined with his love of the sport and hardworking personality, MacPherson constantly works to improve his game. 

Shooting pucks in his driveway, working with strength and conditioning coaches, playing on numerous teams, and just continuously analyzing the game.

With the 2022/2033 season approaching Macpherson was just focused on making the Varsity team. 

“Going into the season I never thought about starting or even getting on the ice as much as I did. I was just focused on playing my game,” MacPherson said. 

His biggest challenge would have to be learning how to compete against older players. As a freshman, the adjustment to playing Varsity is even more difficult. Allowing the game to slow down mentally as well as learning to play against players who are most likely bigger and stronger. 

MacPherson’s incredible hockey IQ and ability to find open spots on the ice differed him from his opponents. He would become one of the Hillers’ primary players, having a big impact on the team’s success.

MacPherson broke the school record for points scored as a freshman, a combination of goals and assists, helping his team to a 20-5 record and the Division 2 state championship. 

“It was difficult at first playing against bigger players who have more experience than me but as the season progressed I learned how to outsmart them on the ice,” MacPherson said. 

Dylan Mansur, a senior defenseman shared a lot of ice time with MacPherson this season.

“Cam is a very skilled player, being able to excel despite playing against players 3-4 years older than him. He still has a lot of developing but his future is very bright,” Mansur said. 

Although MacPherson was almost always competing against players much bigger than him he would be in the right spot, allowing him to either put up shots or help contribute to other players goal scoring opportunities. He kept the offense active through his outstanding ability to share the puck and awareness of when he was able to give up a good shot for a better shot.

MacPherson scored 13 goals and had 30 assists this season.

The Hiller’s primary goal scorer, senior Pavit Mehra, and MacPherson quickly discovered a connection. “I’d say about half of my assists were to Cam and the same thing for him,” Mehra said.

The two often found themselves playing off of each other and putting up a large majority of the Hiller’s points. 

“He’s got an unbeatable vision on the ice,” Mehra said, “That’s why we put up so many points together and had such a strong connection on the ice. He would be in the right spot, I’d be in the right spot and it would just work, we fed off of each other the entire season.”

The Hillers ended up ranked eighth-seeded for the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Hillers fell to a (22-4) Canton in the Division 2 state finals, ending their season. Returning from a .500 record last winter the Hillers improved immensely this season. 

“I had an incredible first season,” MacPherson said, “My teammates not only welcomed me on the team but looked out for me on and off the ice, which I respect. I don’t think we could have had such a successful season without the team chemistry we all shared.”

MacPherson, as well as the Hillers, will continue to be looking to improve for next season.