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An undersized winger for the WHL’s Vancouver Giants, Cameron Schmidt is out to prove those who say that he’s too small are wrong. Drafted seventh overall in the 2022 WHL Draft, Schmidt has been a key contributor for the Giants. In 2023-24, Schmidt scored 31 goals and 58 points in 59 games. He added two goals in five playoff games. Schmidt also played for Team Canada White at the Under-17s and scored five goals in eight games including the Gold-Medal Winning Goal.
Schmidt continued his international success this season. He scored three goals and four points in five games at the Hlinka, and two goals and four points in seven games at the Under-18s. Schmidt came home with gold medals from both tourneys. He also had a strong WHL season. Schmidt scored 40 goals and 38 assists for 78 points in 61 games. Schmidt added four goals and nine points in five playoff games.
Cameron Schmidt NHL Draft Scouting Report
Right Wing — shoots Right
Born January 19th, 2007 — Prince George, British Columbia
Height 5’7″ — Weight 161 lbs [170 cm/73 kg]
Skating
Cameron Schmidt is one of the best skaters in the draft. He has outstanding speed, but its more than just that. His first few steps and acceleration are off the charts. His ability to change speeds allows him to fool defenders with and without the puck. He can take them wide and accelerate to drive the net. Schmidt’s speed must be respected, and he can also slow down to create passing and shooting lanes. He has outstanding agility and edgework as well. Schmidt can make quick cuts and lose defenders both with and without the puck. His powerful lower body and great balance also allow him to protect the puck and win battles for loose pucks despite his lack of size. He can only improve as he continues to add muscle going forward.
Offensive Game
Schmidt is a pure sniper. He has an excellent array of shots and a deceptive lightning-quick release that fools goalies. With a quick toe-drag, Schmidt can fire a shot off the wing and pick corners on goalies. He also has a knack for getting open and can score with his hard and accurate one-timer. Schmidt has the soft hands to finish in tight to the net when he gets there. He can quickly deke a goalie and elevate the puck upstairs. He can also get a deflection or pounce on a rebound and beat the goalie. Schmidt can even score with his backhand.
Schmidt is also an effective playmaker. His speed and hands allow him to control the puck through the neutral zone and generate effective zone entries. Schmidt also has the vision and passing skills to set up teammates. He uses his balance to protect the puck, and when a teammate gets open, he can set them up with a tape-to-tape pass. Schmidt is also effective on the forecheck. He uses his speed to get in quickly and force mistakes and turnovers from opponents. Schmidt has high-end hockey IQ. He makes smart plays and finds open teamates as well as open ice both with and without the puck.
Schmidt must get more consistent, though. He can go on incredible hot streaks, but can also spend weeks with limited production. Learning to shorten those cold spells will help him to succeed at the next level.
Defensive Game
Schmidt’s defensive game is a bit of a work in progress. Some of the issues here can be chalked up to his lack of size and being dominated by physically bigger and stronger opponents. However, Schmidt can also do more to improve in his own end. He needs to bring the same intensity to board battles in his own end that he has in the offensive end of the ice. He also could learn to be better at poking the puck away from opponents and using his stick to cut down passing lanes. At other times, Schmidt seems to get caught puck watching and loses his man.
Projection and Comparison
Cameron Schmidt has the potential to be a top-line offensive winger, but must continue to develop his game. His defensive game needs the most work. However, he can also spend the next couple of years continuing to add muscle to his frame so he can survive at the next level, playing bigger and stronger professional opponents. His skills should be very effective in the left circle on the power play. However, it is doubtful that he will ever contribute much on the penalty kill. Schmidt is a bit of a project, and the team that drafts him will likely wait at least two to three years before he is NHL-ready.
However, if Schmidt develops, he could provide the type of offensive production not usually seen from players drafted in the late first or early second round. History tells us that concerns about his size are likely to see him drafted later than his talent suggests. Schmidt’s game is reminiscent of Cole Caufield. However, this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill and ability.
Main photo by: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
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