By LINDA BOUVET, LSSU Sports Information Director

Sophomore Colin Campbell has bounced around from line to line during most of his first two seasons at Lake Superior State, taking pride in being one of the forwards to whom coach Jim Roque looks when he wants to jump-start other players.

Campbell, who is the Lakers' fourth-leading scorer with five goals and 12 assists, provides size and speed on the right wing. While he's open to every opportunity that comes his way, the 6-1, 200-pound forward feels most-comfortable following the lead of LSSU's captain, Fred Cassiani. They have been linemates in eight games so far this season, and both average nearly point a game when they are paired together.

Campbell is tied for third on the team in overall plus-minus. Cassiani has struggled a bit in that area, showing a -7 rating, but he is even with paired with Campbell.

“He's a big, strong power forward and he's willing to work, which is what I like on a line,” Cassiani said. “He sees the ice really well, and his puck protection is second to none. It makes it really easy when the puck is in our possession most of the game.”

Cassiani scored a goal during both games of last weekend's series at Michigan State. Campbell didn't pick up a point, but was +2 for the weekend. He played minimally with Cassiani during Saturday's 2-2 tie due to lines being jumbled after Buddy Robinson's game misconduct penalty at 8:25 of the second period.

“We found good chemistry,” Cassiani added. “He (Campbell) has a way of finding me in the scoring areas. We, along with Dan Radke, are committed to playing team defense, which has really helped out our plus-minus and given us more offensive opportunities.”

Cassiani was paired with Radke and Lain when he tallied the game-tying goal Saturday. Cassiani said that Radke brings good passing to the line and has a knack for doing “subtle things you might not notice.”

“I've been on Kellan Lain's line a lot this year, and I'm on a line with Freddy right now,” Campbell said. “Those are the two guys I've played with the most. They're always hard-working out there, and I know the effort will always be there. Freddy is a guy I can look up to. He's always buzzing around out there, trying to get open to get me the puck or feeding to whomever else is out there. We have size and strength in the corners and try to help each other out.”

Campbell most-appreciates Cassiani's honest and open mentoring.

“Fred and I have pretty good chemistry and talk on the bench after shifts,” said Campbell. “We know where each other is on the ice…Freddy is definitely our role model, off the ice with homework or going out on weekends, with the blueliners, with how to act and how to dress, and his work ethic on the ice is second to none. He's a great leader for our team and a great choice to be captain.”

“Some guys aren't open to opinions, but he and I are very open to criticism,” Cassiani said. “We can talk after a bad shift, and let each other know. Some guys are afraid to do that. Maybe they don't have that good bond. Maybe it's a senior and a freshman. But constructive criticism goes a long way. The only way to fix things is if you talk about them. It's worked well for us.”

Work ethic resonates throughout the interview with Campbell, who noted that he doesn't want Lake Superior State to be the team looking back and saying “what if…” during a season in which the Central Collegiate Hockey Association is loaded with evenly-matched teams.

“We do need the make the next jump,” he said prior to the series at Michigan State. “We're working hard, but have to come to play night in and night out. We have the whole 'Friday thing' going on, but it's not about a Friday or Saturday. I think we're prepared. But if we want to be one of the top teams in the CCHA, we have to play every game like it's our last.”

One of the reasons Campbell chose to play college hockey at LSSU was the opportunity for immediate playing time. He appeared in 37 of 39 games as a rookie and has played in 25 of 28 games this season. He has aspirations that are higher than the Lakers accomplishing their first winning season since 2006-07.

“It took a little bit for some of our guys to believe,” Campbell said. “When Notre Dame was here, we realized we can actually beat these guys. Mentally, things have changed for sure over the last two months. We know we can finish first in the CCHA this year.”

Campbell, a native of Pickering, Ont., is a product of the Vaughan Vipers junior A organization. He and Laker goaltender Kevin Kapalka were teammates at Vaughan.

“It's obviously a big step from juniors to NCAA Division I, and you have to modify your game a bit,” Campbell said. “You're not going to score as many goals as you did in juniors. I've tried to simplify my game – make some hits, go out to the corners and make some good passes, and follow the system that coach structured for us.”

Campbell is one of three current Lakers who lost a parent during his childhood. Both parents are his biggest influences in life, but he is inspired by his mother's memory.

“She'd be so happy for me. I know for sure it was one of her dreams, my brother was telling me, to see me play beyond juniors. She'd by very proud of me,” Campbell said. “She's made me who I am so far, all of my morals. I think about her every day before I go on the ice. She was truly an inspiring woman.”

Campbell's aunt, Marion Pora, has become a mother figure and tries to see as many Laker games as possible.

“She takes care of me a lot,” he said. “She wants to see me all the time. She's been great for me.”