QUEBEC CITY -- Gregory Campbell is proving there is nothing better than having a knowledgeable hockey father to help guide him through his career.

With every shift he takes for the Kitchener Rangers, however, Campbell is proving he is a fine hockey player in his own right. He acknowledged that he hears plenty of garbage on the ice -- mostly that his dad, NHL executive vice-president and director of hockey operations Colin Campbell, pulls strings for him.

"A lot of people say that I have been able to go to a lot of places because of his position," the 19-year-old said.

"I hear stuff all the time -- that he does me favours. But it doesn't really get to me."

The belief among some that Campbell has accomplished such things as being drafted by the Florida Panthers 67th overall last June and playing for the Canadian junior team in Halifax last winter because of his father's position is silly. It certainly is a sore point with Colin Campbell.

"It's frustrating," Campbell said. "Gregory never gets recognition from his peers. He gets crap all the time, but he steps up to the plate."

Indeed. Campbell, a six-foot, 192-pound winger, led the Rangers with 15 goals during the Ontario Hockey League playoffs and had two assists in the club's Memorial Cup opener. He piled up 56 points in 55 games during the regular season and is not a flash-and-dash type player. But Campbell emerged this season as a solid NHL prospect.

"He has done nothing but improve, almost on a weekly basis," said NHL director of central scouting Frank Bonello. "I think he is one of the most complete junior hockey players that you will see. This youngster can score and he is smart defensively as well."

Colin Campbell played and coached in the NHL and every hint he provides is stored away by his only son.