Cam York simultaneously was living every kid’s dream and, yet, living a childhood that didn’t make any sense for someone to dream up. 

As a kid in Anaheim, California, he was being coached by one of his sports heroes: Scott Niedermayer. The legendary defenseman for York’s hometown Anaheim Ducks was the head coach of his youth hockey team. He played alongside Niedermayer’s son, Jackson, and dreamt of growing up to be a star just like his coach. 

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Outside of practices and games with coach Niedermayer, York didn’t have much ice or hockey hype surrounding him in sunny Southern California to help foster his dreams. 

But his father wouldn’t take that as an excuse. Maybe it was the “Happiest Place on Earth” down the road or the moviemaking capital of the world up the freeway, but Jeff York decided here was as good a place as any to dream. So he built young Cam a roller hockey rink in his backyard. 

That ultimately was what turned York’s dreams into a reality: the ability to develop a playing-in-the-backyard affinity for hockey in a state where most of his friends would have never had the access or imagination to even invent that dream. 

York came into his own as a defenseman on the Anaheim Jr Ducks hockey team, which, along with the Los Angeles Jr. Kings, has turned into one of the few youth hockey programs in SoCal that consistently produces NHL-caliber talent. Niedermayer and fellow SoCal hockey legend Craig Johnson — read about him in my column edition about his son Ryan Johnson — coached York on the Jr Ducks. 

From there, he was recruited for prominent national hockey programs: Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and more. He ultimately committed to play hockey at the University of Michigan. 

Prior to attending Michigan, he was drafted in the first round, 14th overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, who retained his rights throughout his career at Michigan. 

During York’s sophomore season for the Wolverines in 2020-21, he led all Big Ten defensemen in scoring with 4 goals and 16 assists for 20 points. Remarkably, four of his assists set up game-winning goals. At the conclusion of the season, he was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. 

On March 31, 2021, the Flyers signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract. He very quickly ascended to the NHL level, first showcasing his No. 8 jersey May 7, 2021, versus the Washington Capitals. 

This season, he’s played in all 56 of Philadelphia’s games and has already set career highs in games played and goals scored. He also has the highest time on ice per game of his young career this season. He’s played a consistent role in helping the Flyers put themselves in playoff position at third in the Metropolitan Division. 

In Philly, York is doing the very thing he first dreamed of when playing for Niedermayer all those years ago: becoming a franchise staple and hockey icon in a big city with bright lights. He’s endeared the Philly fans with his high on-ice IQ and unforgettable fiery orange hair. 

But even though he’s on the opposite coast, York will never forget the Anaheim backyard that made him into the player he is today. 

Ethan Inman is a junior writing about Los Angeles’ unique hockey heroes in his column, “L.A. on Ice,” which runs every other Wednesday.