DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — When the NCAA tournament began for Miami University's hockey team, conventional wisdom might have pointed to freshman defenseman Cameron Schilling as one of the least likely candidates for the role of hero.

The walk-on from Carmel, Ind., had played in little more than half of the RedHawks' games this season, had scored no goals and by his own account had not been having what could be called a stellar season.

"The whole season I've been up and down," Schilling said. "I wasn't playing my best in mid-season. I was fighting through it. It was just mental stuff. I was not playing well. I got out of it and stopped feeling sorry for myself."

But his teammates knew about Schilling, knew about the passion with which he played, and weren't surprised when he put it all together in the NCAA West Regional. He blocked shots, assisted Justin Mercier's second goal in Miami's 2-1 victory over Minnesota-Duluth which clinched the program's first Frozen Four berth and was named to the all-region team.

"Cameron has a very good hockey mind, and he plays with an intensity and a fire in his eyes," Mercier said. "If there is any kid in the locker room who has a chance to make the NHL, it's Cameron. He's constantly trying to get better."

"It feels amazing," Schilling said. "I haven't really won anything since midget (youth) hockey in my younger years, so it's kind of a cool feeling."

Schilling's ability to step up when his teammates needed him fits the pattern set this season by Miami's four freshmen defensemen, who have turned what might have been a weakness, and certainly was a question mark, into a strength.

Miami coach Enrico Blasi had said prior to the start of the season that he had complete confidence in the foursome of Schilling, Matt Tomassoni, Will Weber and Chris Wideman.

"We didn't have much of a choice," Blasi said with a smile after Miami returned home with their West Region title. "Their progression has been great. We said it would be a work in progress, and their progression would help determine how far we go."

"We sort of threw them in the fire," Miami senior captain Brian Kaufman said. "I knew it was rough on them at first. They've done an unbelievable job, and with a full year under their belts, it's like they're not even freshmen anymore."