RALEIGH, NC. – Spend a minute talking to Cam Abbott and it’ll be hard not to leave the conversation thinking, “There’s some Rod Brind’Amour there.”

In terms of physical appearance, the individual hailing from Sarnia, Ontario is impeccably maintained, appearing as though they possess the ability to surpass or conquer any competitor in a fitness contest.

In terms of his mentality, he possesses kindness, thoughtfulness, and a natural ability to inspire through his words. It is evident that there is also a passionate drive within him.

Similar to Brind’Amour’s demeanor upon being appointed as the Carolina Hurricanes head coach back in 2018, there is an element of novelty present. He approaches the forthcoming opportunity with a serious mindset, but at the same time, exudes overflowing delight when discussing it.

After leading Rögle BK of the Swedish Hockey League for parts of seven seasons, Abbott was named Head Coach of the Chicago Wolves in June, set to lead the Canes’ American Hockey League affiliate this fall.

“I am filled with immense excitement. This is literally a dream come true,” Abbott expressed during his interaction with journalists on Monday. “Being an avid follower and fan of the Carolina Hurricanes from a distance, I can confidently say they are an exceptional organization. Now, having the opportunity to learn from Rod and bring their remarkable style of play to Chicago is truly incredible. Working with young players is an exhilarating experience, and I cannot contain my thrill.”

"We're not allowing the team any calm ice so that they can make a play."@roglebk Head Coach Cam Abbott shares how he approaches closing out games with a lead.

Best of #TCSLive on defensive tactics: https://t.co/FndZ2qfoFL pic.twitter.com/VQqULIO0QK

— The Coaches Site (@TheCoachesSite) June 4, 2023

Although part of the excitement arises from the joy of winning, it is acknowledged that winning games in July does not guarantee overall success.

However, it is possible to establish connections right from the beginning that foster a positive culture.

The players on the ice at Invisalign Arena this week could potentially join Abbott’s Wolves roster in the coming fall. Abbott has already begun the process of building a rapport with them to create a sense of comfort.

The coach, who holds a degree from Cornell University, expressed his belief that the importance of X’s and O’s may be overemphasized in some regards. According to him, building strong relationships and providing guidance to both the younger and older players is what truly matters. He also highlighted that everyone, including himself, is relatively new to the Chicago team, with only a handful of recent players having experience there. As a result, he sees this as an excellent opportunity for the entire team to embark on this journey together.

Abbott’s impressive track record of nurturing young talent and guiding them towards the NHL makes him a perfect fit for the Wolves’ roster, which is anticipated to be brimming with promising youngsters in the upcoming season.

Assisting young players and guiding them towards their full potential fills me with immense energy. In Chicago, my focus will be on teaching the game and emphasizing the required skills as a Carolina Hurricanes prospect and a member of the Chicago Wolves team. My purpose is to support the players and the Chicago Wolves organization, and I strive to fulfill this role to the best of my capabilities.

Notable young players Cam Abbott has coached for Rogle:

– Rasmus Sandin
– Nils Hoglander
– Simon Ryfors
– Adam Edstrom
– Mo Seider
– Marco Kasper
– Calle Clang
– William Wallinder
– William Stromgren
– Adam Engstrom
– Tom Willander
– Lian Bischel

and a whole lot more

— Canes Prospects (@CanesProspects) June 20, 2024

It’s easy to grasp Abbott’s intentions if you remember that he was once a young athlete, just like any other, striving to establish himself in the professional sports scene of a foreign nation.

After a single season in both the Central Hockey League and the ECHL (2006-07), he went on to spend seven seasons in Norway and Sweden. Throughout his career, he has learned the importance of taking care of his players both on and off the ice in order to maximize their performance.

“Some of these individuals are quite young, reserved, and quiet. It seems to be a common trait among many European players, although most of them have experience in professional hockey. These young men are highly capable, respectful, and talented. I believe that for some of them, the adjustment can be extremely difficult. It is important for me to recognize this and understand their needs in order to provide assistance. My role is to ensure they receive ample support off the ice, in all aspects related to adapting to a new country and being away from their support system. There are numerous challenges that come with this change, and I can relate to it personally as I have gone through it myself. My goal is to establish strong relationships with them and be a reliable source of guidance and support right from the beginning.”

That mentality is part of what made Abbott stand out to Hurricanes brass during the interview process, as Assistant General Manager Darren Yorke pointed to today.

Yorke mentioned that prior to this process, he didn’t have any connection with Cam. However, when they began listing down the various qualities they desired in a coach, the objective of the interview process was to assess Cam’s ability to fulfill those expectations. It quickly became evident that Cam possessed all the necessary qualities, and Yorke expressed gratitude for securing him as their coach, considering he likely had other opportunities available.

New Wolves coach Cam Abbott talks about his coaching style, balancing winning with developing players for the NHL and so much more in this conversation.

https://t.co/qF4YO5bRWt pic.twitter.com/cpoAf8gLGq

— Chicago Wolves (@Chicago_Wolves) June 27, 2024

Yorke acknowledges that the new hire’s relationship with the organization is off to a positive start, but also recognizes the significance of this week for Abbott.

Yorke further emphasized the importance of establishing a connection and fostering a rapport with Rod, the players, and the staff. He highlighted the need to comprehend the expectations placed on the players, which aligns seamlessly with Rod’s coaching style. Yorke also pointed out the striking similarities between Rod and Cam, not only in their dedication to self-care but also in their communication methods, relationship-building approach, and preferred style of hockey. Yorke emphasized that Cam’s performance in Rögle closely mirrors the desired qualities we seek in our players, both in Carolina and Chicago.

Taking it step-by-step, Abbott openly expresses his aspiration to become an NHL head coach in the future, just like Brind’Amour. However, at present, his primary focus lies in handling affairs in the bustling Windy City.

Abbott expressed his desire to coach in the NHL, but he emphasized his current mindset of focusing on what he is passionate about and what is currently in front of him, which is coaching the Chicago Wolves. He feels incredibly fortunate to be part of the AHL and the organization, viewing it as a dream come true. His main focus is on the present, and he believes that the future will unfold naturally.

During the Prospects Development Camp at Invisalign Arena, Cam Abbott observes the skate on Tuesday.

© Josh Lavallee / Carolina Hurricanes

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