20-year old Sydney Bears forward Cameron Todd won 23 out of 34 faceoffs he took representing Australia in the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships Div II Group A. in Reykjavik, Iceland in mid-April.
Now considered the best faceoff man in the division, Todd led in faceoff percentage at 67.65%, a full three percent higher than the next-best player. This isn’t the first time the 20-year old has had his skill recognised, being ranked by the IIHF as the best face-off percentage at the World Championships four times, the most of any Australian player.
Mighty Roos and Adelaide Adrenaline captain Greg Oddy, who has taken his fare share of draws in a 15-year representative career, was not surprised by the award with how automatic Todd was during the tournament.
“Cameron is one of the better faceoff guys in the league.” Oddy said, “He uses his body well and is strong on both sides.”
Todd achieved it twice internationally in the under-18 ice hockey competitions in 2011 and 2012, dominating at the dot with an impressive 70.10% and 72.63% respectively. After adjustment to a higher division, Todd was then awarded it again at World Juniors under-20 in 2014. This year was the first time he claimed the honor as a senior.
With huge success at faceoffs on the international stage, Todd attributes it to his ability to predict players’ styles and knowing their go-to moves.
“I always look at how their hands are arranged,” Todd said. “How their players are set up and any conversations you overhear about set plays.”
Practicing faceoffs at every opportunity, Todd follows the low stance favoured by centermen but isn’t afraid to mix it up with a bag of tricks in the faceoff circle. The forward likes to be creative believing there are several ways to win, knifing it in there, other times to hit and pull. But what happens if you lose?
“Make sure you go for a tie up, get some help and work harder to get it back,” Todd said.
Faceoffs are critical in controlling the possession and pace of the game and the ability to alter a game from the start with the puck to the getting a shot off a faceoff win in the final seconds are what inspire the forward.
Cameron Todd’s faceoff domination at World Championships may be over – at least for this year – but it’s only just the start of the AIHL season with Todd focused and hands ready for the next puck drop.