Born in Comox, B.C. on June 6, 1965, Cam Neely played his minor hockey
in Maple Ridge before moving on to the junior ranks with the Western
Hockey League's Portland Winter Hawks.
Neely was the first player selected by the Vancouver Canucks (ninth
overall) in the 1983 National Hockey League entry draft.
After three seasons in a Canucks' uniform, he was traded to the Boston
Bruins in what is still referred to as one of the worst trades in
Vancouver Canucks' history.
It was in a Bruin's uniform that Cam Neely really blossomed into a bona
fide NHL star. Three times the right winger reached the 50-goal plateau,
including the injury-plagued 1993/94 season, when Neely scored 50 goals
while appearing in just 49 games.
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His dedication to the game was recognized in 1994, when he was named the
winner of the Bill Masterton Trophy, which is presented each year to the
player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship
and dedication to hockey.
Neely also made five appearances in the NHL All Star Game, and was voted
to the league's second all star team on four occasions.
A chronic hip injury ended Neely's career prematurely during the 1995/96
season.
With career totals of 694 points and 1241 penalty minutes in 726 games,
Cam Neely was one of the first - and one of the best - to display all of
the qualities of the consummate NHL power forward.
Since his retirement, Neely has been heavily involved with the Cam Neely
Foundation which helps to support the families of cancer sufferers in
the New England area.
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