Latest Bruin ready to go

October 11, 2007

By Dan Kinvig
Black Press

Recently-acquired Chilliwack Bruins forward Brandon Campos didn’t waste any time showing his new team what he brings to the table.

The 20-year-old, picked up on waivers from the Everett Silvertips last week after Ken Petkau decided to retire, scored two goals and added an assist in Chilliwack’s 5-4 victory over the Vancouver Giants on Friday night.

“I’m elated that we have Brandon Campos,” Bruins coach Jim Hiller enthused. “Adding him to our mix is hard to overstate. He’s a terrific player, and he also makes the players around him better. He gives us one more element of attack that I think we were missing.”

Campos, a five-foot-10, 185-pounder, was one of six 20-year-olds competing for three overage spots in Everett, and he ended up being one of the odd men out. But the Port Coquitlam product couldn’t be happier to land with the Bruins.

“I get a whole new fresh start with Chilliwack,” Campos said. “It’s great playing a lot closer to home.”

Campos’s offensive skills are undeniable, as evidenced by his huge numbers with the junior A Merritt Centennials in 2005-06 (27-53-80 in 46 games). As a rookie with the Silvertips last season, Campos saw his production dip as he spent much of the year on the fourth line.

“We had so much depth on that team, I never really got a chance,” said Campos, who still managed 10 goals and 14 assists in 67 games as a role player. “I thought I played as well as I could for only having a few spot shifts here and there.

Sometimes we’d sit out a whole period before we got a shift, and it would be tough to get our legs into it.”

If his first two games with the Bruins are any indication, Campos should get all the ice time he can handle. He skated on Chilliwack’s second line with Colby Kulhanek and Jadon Potter, and saw plenty of time on the power play.

“I’m thankful to be there,” Campos said. “I came from more of a defence-oriented team, but we play pretty much the same systems here as in Everett. Chilliwack told me as soon as I got here that I’d get to play, and I’d get to free-wheel in the offensive zone, which is what I like to do. At the same time, I’ve got to respect my own end.”