On Saturday, Tucson Roadrunners center Cameron Hebig tallied a historic hat trick.
In Tucson’s 6-2 win over the San Jose Barracuda, Hebig scored three times to get to 74 goals and tie Nashville Predator left wing Michael Bunting for most in Roadrunner history.
Cameron Hebig originally came to Tucson in 2021 on a PTO (professional tryout) contract after a couple seasons playing for the Condors.
“It's awesome, I guess if you just stick around long enough and I'm thankful to be here and for the opportunities I've been given, I've really enjoyed my time here in Tucson,” Hebig said. “It’s pretty cool, played with a lot of great players, learned a lot from them and awesome to be a part of that.”
The Roadrunners (9-10-3-0) host the Bakersfield Condors (10-7-4-0) for a two-game series, giving Hebig a chance to get the record at home. The Condors are the AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers.
Hebig’s hat trick also got him to 152 points as a Roadrunner, moving him past Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone for second all-time in franchise history.
"It was great, I think the important part was getting two points, getting the win,” Hebig said. “Obviously it's nice to help the team and contribute like that and hopefully we can build off that and string consistently playing like that.”
Hebig’s rise up the charts comes after he originally came to Tucson in 2021 on a PTO (professional tryout) contract after a couple seasons playing for the Condors. He was not drafted.
“It's really exciting because Cam is a player that has earned a lot of credibility here because of his path," said Tucson head coach Steve Potvin. "It hasn't been an easy path. He was on a PTO tryout when he came to us as a potential member of the Tucson Roadrunners, and then that escalated to an American Hockey League contract, that escalated to more ice time. He was in and out of the lineup, but then he put himself in a position to earn an NHL contract and there has been a lot of self-reflection in that for him, there has been a lot of improvement in his game and even in his personality and trying to take the next step, so there's a lot that's gone into the records and to the time spent here.
“So we're extremely proud of him and we're happy to have a player with that type of character and ability to play the game.”
In March, Utah Hockey Club signed him to his first NHL contract, and then in July, he signed a two-year, two-way deal with Utah.
“I think you just wanna show them that they made the right decision and put the work in every day and just working hard, just sticking to what I do good and I think you wanna make the most of the opportunity and thank them for opportunity,” Hebig said. “You're thankful that they gave you that the opportunity and it's up to the player to make the most out of it.”
With 11 goals this season, Hebig is 12th in the league. He leads Tucson in goals and points (19).
It is Hebig’s second AHL hat trick; the other was Jan. 3 at Texas.
Teddy toss, comedy night
This weekend is a busy one for promotions for the Roadrunners.
Roadrunners player Jon Martin helps shovel stuffed toys towards the door following the first goal of the Roadrunners Dec. 21, 2019, teddy bear toss game at Tucson Arena.
Saturday is the annual Teddy Bear Toss Night, where fans bring new stuffed toys to throw onto the ice after the Roadrunners score their first goal. The toys will be donated to Aviva Children's Services.
“It's exciting, I think it's an exciting moment to be able to score and then see the reaction of the fans, but also the anticipation is what brings a lot of the energy,” Potvin said. “Especially when you have loud fans like ours and it's gonna be a night that's full. I think it brings a lot of anticipation and excitement for sure.”
The Roadrunners will also wear special warm-up jerseys, which will be auctioned to benefit Youth On Their Own.
Also Dusty, defenseman Kevin Connauton, center Kevin Rooney and right wing Austin Poganski made toys at Build-A-Bear that will be silent auctioned to benefit Youth On Their Own.
Eight players have scored the Teddy Bear goal for the Roadrunners in the eight years they’ve had a Teddy Bear Toss game. Last season, Poganski, the captain, scored the stuffie goal.
Teddy Bear Toss games are a tradition in hockey, and the Roadrunners just played in one, spoiling San Jose's teddy toss.
“It’s definitely better being on the right side of it, when the teddy bears are coming down for yourself, but those are definitely fun games, they’re usually for a good cause,” said Tucson right wing Ty Tullio. “Just having all the fans out there and supporting us and giving the community something to do, it’s just pretty fun for us.”
Hebig said the players talk about who will score the bear goal a bit leading up to the game.
“I think once it's game time, we're focused on the game and whoever gets that, that's great,” Hebig said. “We're just trying to help the team any way we can and it's gonna be a fun event, we’re looking forward to it, lots of fans out.”
The Roadrunners are also giving out a holiday ornament on Saturday.
Friday is comedy night. There will be stand up comedy after game by Omar Tarango “and friends.”
Look ahead
The Roadrunners travel north to face the Abbotsford Canucks for a two-game series starting on Dec. 19. Tucson and the defending Calder Cup champions split a series in Tucson on Nov. 28 and 29, with the Roadrunners winning 4-1 and then the Canucks winning 5-2.
Last season, Abbotsford edged Tucson in a first-round series 2-1, while the Roadrunners swept a series with the Canucks north of the border right before the Christmas break.
After that, the Roadrunners return from the Christmas break to host the Calgary Wranglers for a two-game set starting on Dec. 27.
