The Tucson Roadrunners were 7:18 into their first game in a two-game series against the Bakersfield Condors. It was a must-win series for the team. The Condors were one point behind them for the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division. If the Roadrunners lost the series or even split it, their playoff spot might’ve been in jeopardy.
With 12:42 remaining in the game, almost the entire Roadrunners bench got to their feet and started clapping. All except one player. Cameron Hebig was sitting still on the bench while the crowd in the Tucson Convention Center was applauding and cheering. His teammates were telling him to get up and acknowledge the crowd. Hebig stood up and waved to the Roadrunner fans before quickly sitting down. It was obvious he just wanted to get back to the game, which wouldn’t surprise anyone who knows him.
Funny enough, Hebig was the reason why the fans and the team were clapping and applauding. It was the celebration of him breaking the Roadrunners’ franchise record for the most amount of games played. Playing in 280 American Hockey League (AHL) games is no joke. Despite it not being the highest level of hockey, it still is an incredibly hard one to play in year after year.
Cameron Hebig gets his tribute video for breaking the franchise record for most amount of games played. #UtahHC #LetsGoTucson pic.twitter.com/q9PjcGyiRL
— Chase Beardsley (@ChaseBeardsley_) April 6, 2025
The 2024-25 season has been a year full of celebration for Hebig. He’s climbed up the ladder of multiple Roadrunner franchise records amidst an incredible 44-point season, was named an AHL All-Star, and even earned an NHL contract with the Utah Hockey Club. However, he does not enjoy the spotlight. Just like every season in his pro hockey career, he’s just doing his best to help his team succeed on and off the ice.
Becoming the “Mayor of Tucson”
Hebig’s road to the pros started right in his hometown of Saskatoon when he was drafted in the third round by the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 2012. He played three and a half seasons with the Blades, improving every season. Eventually, he got to the point where he was an above-average point-per-game player, scoring 69 points in the 2015-16 season. The season was so impressive that he was invited to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ development camp over the summer.
Entering the 2016-17 season, Hebig was projected to be the top centerman for the Blades. However, an upper-body injury kept him out for the whole season. It seemed like his hockey future was nearing its end. However, his determination to get back on the ice and play the sport he loves was enough to overcome his injury.
Related: Utah’s Cameron Hebig’s AHL All-Star Selection Was Earned
In his final season of WHL eligibility, Hebig scored 58 points in 40 games with the Blades, earning an NHL entry-level deal with the Edmonton Oilers. With the Blades out of playoff contention, he was flipped to the Regina Pats, where he scored 32 points in the team’s final 26 regular-season games and then scored eight points in the Pats’ seven playoff games.
Coincidentally enough, when the Roadrunners celebrated Hebig, it was in a game against the Condors, who was the first AHL team he played for. Although he only played 95 games, it was his first taste of AHL and pro action, which is completely different than juniors. Hebig called the transition between the two leagues a big one.
“When you come in, it’s a big jump,” Hebig said. “I think you play against men, and there’s a lot to learn. It’s a lot of learning along the way, a lot of good mentors along the way, and I’m thankful for the teammates and the coaches that I’ve had and gotten to learn from. I think as you grow, you need to find out what works for you and keep working on your game. Each summer, you have to reflect and find some things to work on to get better, because if you’re not growing, guys are going to pass you.”
Hebig was sent down to the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder towards the end of the season. Entering the 2020-21 season, he signed a contract with the Florida Everblades. It was with the Everblades where Hebig finally rediscovered his game. In 12 games with the team, he scored 14 points, which led the entire ECHL in scoring at the time. His scoring prowess caught the eye of the Roadrunners whom he was loaned to.
Everblades head coach Brad Ralph has coached the team since 2016. He’s won three straight Kelly Cups in the past three years. He’s met a lot of players who have gone on to do great things. However, Hebig was a player who stood out to him since day one. Ralph isn’t surprised at the slightest by the number of games he’s been able to play in the AHL.
“Cam stood out as a player that had a lot of want, a lot of compete in his game,” Ralph said. “He’s a tenacious skater and had a tremendous shot while he was here. I could certainly see why he would sustain as many or play as many games in the American League as he has.”
Outside of a return to the Everblades towards the end of the season, Hebig has spent every hockey season since then in Tucson. While he struggled to find a scoring touch in his first couple of seasons with the Roadrunners, he put together a solid 32-point season in 2023-24. This season, he has 23 goals and 44 points, which have shattered all of his career highs. It earned the honor of being the Roadrunners’ lone representative at the 2025 AHL All-Star Game.
Here’s Cam Hebig’s attempt at the puck relay race as he beats Wilkes-Barre’s Owen Pickering.#UtahHC #LetsGoTucson #AHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/LnW23eo8LT
— Chase Beardsley (@ChaseBeardsley_) February 3, 2025
Jason Davidson has been Hebig’s agent for quite some time. He’s seen him at his lowest points and also at his highest points. Davidson also knows that he isn’t the biggest and most skilled guy the Roadrunners have ever had. However, he does know there isn’t a single player more committed to the game of hockey and trying his best to always succeed in it than Hebig.
“Cam may not be the biggest guy or the loudest voice in the room but there isn’t anyone more passionate about the game,” Davidson said. “That is evident in his commitment to bettering himself on and off the ice each and every year. You could say Cam leads by his actions. The All-Star nod this year is a result of his character and play as a Roadrunner.”
In the past five years, Hebig has played 287 games with the Roadrunners, which, as mentioned, is the most anyone has played with the franchise. Surviving in the AHL for that long is an impressive feat in itself. It’s a hard-hitting league filled with rookies who are on the verge of breaking out in the NHL and veterans who will do anything to try to get one more shot in the big leagues. Hebig says it’s about having a strong mental game and having good confidence.
“You got to figure out ways to grow your confidence,” Hebig said. “I think that’s a huge thing. You also have to work on the mental game. It’s a long season, (there’s) lots of ups and downs in this league. You have to be mentally strong and have good support and try to stay positive. Health is important thing too so you have to take care of the body and work out.”
The Face of the Roadrunners
Hebig has earned the nickname “the Mayor of Tucson” for a reason. Besides his long-continued stint with the team, he’s done a lot for the community and the players who have been a part of the locker room in the past five years. If you ask anyone who has met Hebig, they’ll tell you how important he is to the Roadrunners franchise.
“He’s a great teammate,” Jaxson Stauber said. “He’s been in Tucson a long time. I think that shows the growth that he’s had as a player, not only through his pro career, but in Tucson in general. I’m really happy for him. He’s having a really good year, and he’s been huge for us, scoring a lot of big goals.”
Head coach Steve Potvin has been with the Roadrunners franchise since 2016. He’s seen Hebig play ever since he entered the league with the Condors. Potvin is proud of what he’s seen Hebig do and accomplish, especially because he knows how hard he’s worked to get to this point in his career.
“The best thing about him is that he knows exactly who he is,” Potvin said. “He’s a guy that knows what he wants, and he just does everything he can to prepare for a good outcome. When you put in the work and you prepare as well as he does, you’re going to get rewarded.”
Even guys who are in the NHL call Hebig one of the best in hockey. Josh Doan has had a couple of stints with the Roadrunners in the past couple of years, but has managed to grow into an everyday role with Utah. He hasn’t forgotten about Hebig, who was his usual roommate on the road.
“I think, above all, he is one of the best guys I’ve ever played with and someone that I’ve gotten along with really well over the years,” Doan said.
Hebig is only 28 years old, but his maturity and ability to keep competing at such a high level make him a good mentor and role model to the rookies who play with the Roadrunners. Artem Duda is about to finish his first pro season with the team. He’s been able to become one of their top defensemen despite it only being his second year playing on North American ice. He credits veterans like Hebig for helping him get to that point.
“Hebs has broken lots of records for Tucson and it’s good for me too, watching guys like him out there for checking, shooting, and fighting for the team,” Duda said. “It’s a good example for me.”
It speaks volumes when so many people are quick to say how great a person and a player you are. It also speaks volumes when you’re a fan favorite around the community, especially in a minor league town. You can usually spot a good number of Hebig jerseys in the Tucson Convention Center during Roadrunner games. You’ll probably be able to spot more in the future after the team sold most of their record-breaking commemorative T-shirts during the game. They were also worn by the whole team when they entered the arena before their game against the Condors.
Rep the record 👑 #LetsGoTucson pic.twitter.com/grssERDwye
— Tucson Roadrunners (@RoadrunnersAHL) April 6, 2025
Hebig does not like to be the center of attention. In fact, it’s the first thing that he mentioned when the T-shirts were brought up. However, he is nothing but grateful for the support from the community and his team.
“To have the support from the guys and them walking with it and the team to show their support means a lot,” Hebig said. “The fans coming out and supporting and wearing the T-shirts too. I’ve been grateful for my time here in Tucson, and I love the city and the team.”
With the contract he signed with Utah, Hebig is now allowed to be called up to the NHL at any point in time. He has never played in an NHL game before and has yet to be called up this season. However, he did get to spend some time in Salt Lake City during training camp and experience the newest market in the NHL. He called it a first-class experience.
“I think Utah’s a great organization,” Hebig said. “Going into camp, it was first class and the new owners treat them so well. It was awesome.”
When Hebig signed his NHL contract, there was no one happier and prouder of him than Potvin. It’s not only great for the player but also the entire organization that both men have represented for the past couple of years. It’s another showing that general manager Bill Armstrong pays attention to the hard work players put in down in the AHL. Last season, the team rewarded Aku Räty’s strong AHL campaign with a game in the NHL towards the end of the season. This organization continued that mentality this season with a contract for Hebig.
“He’s put in the work and he earned it, but I was proud that we (as an organization) recognized it,” Potvin said. “It’s not always an easy thing, right? When a player has been on an American Hockey League contract for a long time, a lot of organizations don’t always do that. I’m proud of our organization, proud of Cameron for having that fight and that push to fulfill his vision, and I couldn’t be more happy for him.”
Although it has yet to be seen if Hebig will get a call-up to the NHL, his mind is focused on the Roadrunners’ push for a playoff spot. The team ended up sweeping their series against the Condors, which now gives them a five-point lead in the standings. The Condors do have two games in hand, but if the Roadrunners can win at least half of their final four games, they should be in pretty good shape.
Hebig’s contract does end after this season, meaning he and Davidson will have to negotiate a new contract with Utah and the Roadrunners. However, with his impressive 2024-25 season, he should be getting an extension with the franchise. If he does stick around, there will be another wave of future NHL players coming into the Roadrunners locker room like Owen Allard, Dmitry Simashev, and Daniil But, who will be able to learn from Hebig on what it takes to be a pro hockey player.
No matter what happens in the future, the native of Saskatoon will forever be a Roadrunner. It’ll be a while before anyone even comes close to touching his all-time games played record, along with his other stats with the team. For Hebig, he is just grateful to everyone who has helped him get to this point, and he couldn’t be happier than where he is now.
“To be part of this organization is special, and to have that many games with this organization, means a lot,” Hebig said. “It’s been a great journey. I learned a lot along the way, and I’m thankful for the health and the opportunity and playing with good players and good coaches. To have the teams showing the support like that and the fans coming out means a lot. I wouldn’t be here without them. I just love it here in Tucson.”
To some, Tucson is just a minor league town, acting as a pit stop for a journey to the NHL. That’s not the case for Hebig. To him, it’s a city with great weather, great fans, and a great team. There is no place he’d rather be. After all, Tucson is home for him.
