Cameron "Cam" Michael Neely (born June 6, 1965, in Comox, British Columbia) was a right wing in the National Hockey League from 1983 to 1996. Originally drafted by the Vancouver Canucks, Neely and the Canucks 1st choice, 3rd overall in the 1987 Amateur draft were traded by the Canucks to the Boston Bruins for Barry Pederson . Almost immediately, it became apparent that the Bruins had received the better of the deal. In the first full season following the trade, Neely's 36 goals led the club, and his 72 points more than doubled his previous year's performance.
Neely's success stemmed largely from his hard, accurate shot, quick release, and his willingness to engage in the more physical aspects of the game. At 6'01" and 215 lbs, Neely was as devastating with his body checks and fists, as he was with his goal scoring exploits.
In addition, Neely's intense efforts to come back time and again from devastating injuries were recognized with his winning of the Masterton Trophy after the 93-94 season. Sadly, a degenerative hip condition forced Neely into a premature retirement.
Off the ice, Neely's personal family tragedies with both his mom and dad, both dying of cancer, have made Neely very aware of those whose circumstances are less fortunate than his own. Today, Neely remains active in the Cam Neely Foundation run in conjunction with the New England Medical Center, where patients and their families avail themselves of accommodation at the "Neely House" while undergoing cancer treatments.
