December 27, 2010

By Russell Jaslow
Special to USAHockey.com

Not many athletes get to win four gold medals in three years in world championships for a team sport. In fact, for hockey, it’s never been done by an American. Team USA goaltender Jack Campbell has that opportunity next week in the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, N.Y.

It started with the Under-18 team in 2009. He played in five games, getting a decision in four of them, all regulation wins. Campbell posted an astounding 0.75 goals-against average and .967 save percentage. He had two shutouts, including a 5-0 victory over Russia in the gold medal contest.

It got better in 2010. First, he made the Under-20 team in a backup role. He got into three games at the World Junior Championship, but the key one was entering the wild gold medal game against Canada midway through the second period. He desperately held off a valiant comeback by Canada, eventually helping his team win 6-5 in overtime.

Then, Campbell was back on the Under-18 team for their world championship in April. He allowed just five goals in 359:39, winning five of the six games and losing one in a shootout. That translated to a 0.83 GAA and .965 save percentage with three shutouts, two of those in the playoffs. He was given the directorate award as the tournament’s best goaltender.

This gave Campbell three gold medals in two years. Along with Jason Zucker, his teammate on all of those teams, it’s the only time the feat has ever been accomplished by an American at IIHF events. Together, they both have a chance to make it four golds in three years.

“Fortunately with this year’s team, we have a lot of guys bringing back gold medals and a lot of international experience,” Campbell said. “And not only myself. We’re bringing back eight guys from last year’s team.”

His large frame (6-feet-2) is put to good use for this standup goaltender, who likes to cut down angles down and challenge shooters. He hones his craft for the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League.

“The OHL is a real high-scoring league,” he said. “In international competition in the past it’s been real low-scoring, great defense. Just battling it out till the final buzzer. I really like this way of hockey. I’m really excited about playing in the tournament.”

In 2009, the Under-18 team won on home ice in Fargo, N.D., and Moorhead, Minn. Now, Campbell is on home ice defending the Under-20 gold medal it took from Canada after the Canadians had won it for five consecutive years.

“I wouldn’t say it’s easier or harder,” he said. “It’s just another challenge. It’s a little bit of adversity being the defending champion against the team that won it five straight years. This year we’re just trying to go out every day and get better as a team. I’m really excited about the team we’re bringing to Buffalo.”

And, he’s even more excited about the tournament being in Buffalo: “It’s a tremendous event for not only our team but our country -- and for it to be in Buffalo, such a rich hockey city. And the culture there, it’s just all about hockey. It’s really exciting because all the fans are really excited about the tournament. We can’t wait to get it going.”

Of course, being from Port Huron, Mich., less than a four-hour drive to Buffalo, also adds to the excitement, knowing his family and many friends will be making the trip to see him play.

Campbell was the first American selected in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft (11th overall by the Dallas Stars). However, the only stars he’s thinking of right now are those that appear on the American flag, which he hopes to see raised to the rafters with a fourth gold medal in three years hanging from his neck.

Story courtesy of Red Line Editorial, Inc.