The grind of an ice hockey season can be a true test of toughness and character. Saint Augustine Preparatory senior Cameron DeLeo learned all about it at an early age with his skating coach.
Growing up in Mullica Hill, DeLeo learned his skating stride under Guy Gaudreau at Hollydell Ice Arena at age 6. It’s the same sheet of ice where Gaudreau coached his own sons Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau before they starred at Gloucester Catholic High School en route to prolific hockey careers.
“He was just one of the guys around the rink,” DeLeo said of Guy. “My mom contacted him and asked if he could do lessons with me. He coached me until I was 14 and I’ve stayed close with him throughout everything.”
DeLeo said Guy’s lessons weren’t easy, but they shaped him into a better skater and a better hockey player.
“He can be hard on you because he wants you to do well,” DeLeo said. “When I first started skating, he had me pushing tires up and down the ice. I was crying because I didn’t like it, but he always pushed me and I ended up doing it and it worked out well.”
DeLeo has grown into a special hockey player that has been a key part of the success of Saint Augustine’s program. After cracking the lineup with seven goals and 11 assists as a freshman, DeLeo became one of the Hermits’ top scorers during his second season, netting 11 goals and 12 assist. That included a hat trick in St. Augustine’s wild 10-6 win over Don Bosco Prep in the Non-Public state championship in 2024.
“That was one of the craziest games I ever played in,” DeLeo said. “We had half the school at the game and being able to perform like that with my two line mates was an amazing experience.”
DeLeo led the Hermits in scoring last year with 12 goals and eight assists, and he’s looking to make an even bigger jump this season. He scored three goals and two assists in his first two games this year — both victories for the Hermits.
“Every part of his game is good,” said Saint Augustine Prep coach Roman Ammirato. “He’s quick and he sees guys and can make plays. The intangibles he has, you can’t teach. He’s able to assess where he is on the ice and make plays that the normal hockey player doesn’t really see. He has such a big impact on plays throughout the game.”
DeLeo said he models his game after the late Johnny Gaudreau and he even wears Johnny’s number 13 at Saint Augustine in honor of his hero. But DeLeo’s own resume and work ethic provided an opportunity to debut for the Philadelphia Rebels of the North American Hockey League on Dec. 6. The NAHL is a Tier II junior hockey league with 34 teams across North America.
“I got called up and played [Dec.6] against the [Northeast] Generals,” DeLeo said. “It was fun getting a taste of the NAHL to see what it’s like and show that I can do it. I played about 10 shifts which is pretty good for my first game. I’m looking to play for them next year hopefully.”
DeLeo took part in the Generals’ training camp this year, which certainly gave him a boost in the early high school season. DeLeo and his teammates are trying to recapture the magic of state titles in 2023 and 2024 and overcome an early quarterfinal playoff exit last season during a 10-9 campaign.
“The number one goal every season is to get to that date,” DeLeo said of the state championship. “March 9 this year. We always have that date circled on the calendar so hopefully we can get there.”
In addition to being a heavy contributor at both ends of the ice, DeLeo has taken on a leadership role this season to help fuel the Hermits towards that goal.
“He’s really developed his game from freshman year until now,” said Ammirato, now in his fourth year as head coach at St. Augustine. “He’s accepted the leadership that comes with the territory and he’s done a really good job to start this year.”
Thankful for the foundation of skills and work ethic shaped by his former coach Guy, DeLeo said, “He taught me everything I know and I dedicate all my success to him.”
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