Florida Panthers Assistant GM Gregory Campbell continues to progress in ‘the family business’

Gregory Campbell and a family portrait with the rewards of the ‘family business’, the Stanley Cup. (Contributed Photo).

By Jeff Tribe

Florida Panthers Assistant GM and three-time Stanley Cup winner Gregory Campbell strode forward to shake hands, still looking in the kind of game shape he maintained through an 800-game NHL career.

As we sat down to chat however, he admitted being reminded of a 41-year-old body while skating at sister Lauren’s Colin Campbell Hockey School in Tillsonburg, as well as gaining additional respect for the tenacity of its founder.

“I was out on the ice this morning for three hours,” Gregory smiled. “He (his father Colin) did it for 30 years.”

The business of hockey is never far from an NHL front office’s member seeking the rarified air of a Stanley Cup three-peat. However, warming up at a shaded table outside an iconic Canadian coffee shop, Gregory paused to reflect on his own career progression in what might be considered the Campbell family business.

Hockey runs deeply through the clan, a connection underlined through a school founded in the early 1970s and still running strong July 21 through 25 this year in the arena that now bears his father’s name.

“The enthusiasm the kids have at this camp is amazing,” said Gregory, crediting his sister’s organizational ability for bringing participants together quickly through a positive and constructive experience. “Lauren does a great job off the ice.”

He, along with former OHL Kitchener Rangers teammate and NHL defenceman Steve Eminger (currently a professional scout in the New York Rangers organization) were guest instructors, heading up a team including the camp’s namesake, and Lauren’s son Xander, one of several aged-out campers returning to assist. The week-long school serves partially as a reunion for Gregory, friends and family, along with a shared opportunity for he and Eminger’s children.

“The boys love it,” said Gregory, noting his kids are among other offspring of former campers among the attendees. “This is one of the highlights of their year.”

Finn Campbell is the lone nine-year-old to make the jump from Kitchener AA to AAA this past season, Gregory describing his seven-year-old brother Noah as a ‘young Colin,’ naturally defensively-minded with a bit of an edge. Spending time together on the ice is special for Gregory, who as a full-time parent, prioritizes work-life balance when it comes to family. 

“And giving them the best opportunities as my mom and dad did for me.”

As far as the sport has taken him, Campbell retains a value system grounded in Tillsonburg-based roots and upbringing, a ‘pretty special place’ with hard-working people.  “If I have to grind it out for three extra hours at night, I will, because that’s what I learned from my parents.”

Colin’s work ethic, still in evidence as NHL Executive Vice-President in his seventh decade, is what inspired Gregory ‘from day one.’ 

“He is a great role model.”

But his own experience as a parent has also emphasized his mother Heather’s crucial role, allowing Colin to do what he needed to do.

“And she raised us three.”

Each sibling was encouraged to create their own path, Lauren a teacher, Courtney a lawyer based in Oakville. Hockey was a natural progression for Gregory who in retrospect, realized how fortunate he was to be born into it. Among the greatest lessons learned growing up around NHL players and coaches, a sponge absorbing as much as possible, was how important winning was.

“You have to be able to create your own path, offer teams something that will help them win.”

His learning curve is one he shares at development camp, 36 young players used to success throughout their lives, who may have their own view of who they are, who may now have to adjust.

“Now you have everyone in the world coming together and you have to create a new path for yourself. You’ve got to be willing to do whatever.”

Campbell referred to Brad Marchand, an elite player instrumental in this year’s Stanley Cup victory, who started his NHL career on the fourth line with Campbell in Boston.

“You accept a role, get your foot in the door and sometimes your talent will take over.”

Gregory’s own junior hockey career included a Memorial Cup championship with the Rangers where Campbell was the tournament’s leading scorer, named to the all-star team and also recognized as the most sportsmanlike, as well as a world junior silver medal. Drafted 67th overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, he played 64 games with them in 2005-06 and 79 the following season. Following three additional full campaigns with the Panthers, Campbell was traded to the Boston Bruins, where he would contribute to a 2011 Stanley Cup victory as centre on a highly-effective penalty-killing unit. He will also be remembered for courageously completing a penalty-killing shift in the 2013 post-season after an Evgeni Malkin slapshot broke his leg.

Campbell signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets after five years with the Bruins, playing his final full season in 2015-16. He had hoped and thought he would play longer. 

“You’re kind of shown the door.”

Campbell does however look back on a lengthy playing career spanning 12 NHL seasons.

“I’ll never be in the hall of fame and won’t break Wayne Gretzky’s scoring records,” he said, “but at the same time, I always tried to be part of a winning group. 

“I just tried to offer whatever I could, gravitated to making the most of what I had.”

That motivation led to his name inscribed on the Stanley Cup, a tighter fraternity among the tight fraternity of active and former NHL players.

Florida Panthers Assistant GM Gregory Campbell shares a very welcome guest’s visit with his sons Noah and Finn. Being able to share unique NHL-related experiences with his sons as his father Colin did with he and his family, has been a welcome perk of Gregory’s demanding job with Florida. (Contributed Photo).

“That was pretty special for me,” said Campbell. “I’m proud of where I got to - it’s really not easy.”

Ex players can struggle with the transition says Campbell, happy to be a larger part of their family’s lives and yet conditioned to an internal clock indicating the end of August/beginning of September is time to go back to work. Campbell officially retired as a player on June 9, 2017, joining the Blue Jackets as a development coach the same day. Those with an extended NHL career who have invested wisely may well be financially secure.

“At the same time, it’s about having a purpose,” said Campbell. “There’s not a lot of opportunities,”

he continued, rapidly discovering what many others had before him. “You have to work just as hard and you have to learn. The game has changed and you have to keep evolving.”

A new door opened, but one with a new set of requirements.

“If you’re not ready, not willing to put in the work, it can go pretty fast.”

Campbell quickly developed a professional and personal relationship with then Blue Jackets assistant GM Bill Zito. Although highly appreciative of the opportunity presented by John Davidson with the Blue Jackets and welcome to stay, Campbell made the decision to follow Zito to the Florida Panthers, a full-circle experience including Rick Dudley who had originally drafted him.

“I just wanted to keep expanding,” said Gregory, who began in player development, working with a young, hard-working and motivated group.

“Who like me, want to learn.”

His responsibilities subsequently evolved and expanded into GM of the Panthers’ AHL Charlotte Checkers and promotion to assistant GM. Campbell’s growing role includes ongoing GM responsibilities with the Checkers and scouting, which at the pro level, includes filling roster holes with players who may either benefit from a change of scenery or the Panthers’ coaching staff’s expertise.

Gregory is based out of Kitchener/Waterloo, geographically close enough to both drive to area destinations or Pearson Airport for connections further afield. September through June are his busiest months, on the road and in rookie and training camps.

Although his job entails long hours, at times alone, the last two seasons have been particularly satisfying. Campbell notched cups two and three, however in the same vein as watching someone else’s joy at opening a present on Christmas morning, he was thrilled to see others celebrate ultimate victory. 

“That was a special experience to watch that team win the last two years.”

Multiple uncontrollable factors challenge the possibility of a three-peat including health and luck. Campbell is confident Zito has checked every possible box toward that lofty goal, but there are of course, 31 other teams looking to intervene.

“The more successful you are, the more people want to knock you off,” Gregory smiled.

His own post-playing career has also enjoyed success despite his comparative youth, its logical progression raising the possibility of the next level. That may be Campbell’s eventual goal, but beyond the open question of whether the chance will arise, he’s grateful for the challenges and rewards of his current position.

“I’m very content in Florida with this group and the opportunity to continue learning.”

Zito creates a positive atmosphere within the organization credits Campbell, and with three children of his own, has respect for the importance of family. In addition, the Panthers’ GM exemplifies the commitment required to be one of 32 NHL GMs. 

Beyond his own ongoing professional development with the Panthers, Gregory also enjoys sharing the kind of experiences his father shared with him with his own sons: for example, introducing them to Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk, or back-to-back Stanley Cup celebrations. 

“They’ve had those experiences,” said Campbell. 

“The short and the long of it is, it’d be something that’s on my radar, but I have no timeframe for it,” he added in conclusion. “I’m 41 years old, I don’t see the rush. 

“And again, I feel I have a lot to learn.”