"They still were basking in the glow of winning the Stanley Cup when Joel Quenneville sat down with Brian Campbell in June to review the historic season and look ahead to 2010-11.

The Blackhawks coach had a simple message for the veteran defenseman who often found himself playing in the shadow of the team's top blueline duo of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook.

"Joel said, 'Don't let them take all the accolades; take a lot for yourself, too, because you're capable of that and deserve that,' " Campbell, 31, said. "That's going to stick with me. I really would like to be more of a force and not just sit back and let Duncan and Brent do everything."

While Keith and Seabrook raised their games to become arguably the NHL's top defensive unit, Campbell quietly went about his business with a steady season. With partner Niklas Hjalmarsson he formed a formidable — if not as heralded — pairing.

Now Campbell is looking to build off that and reach the level that made him a three-time NHL All-Star and garnered an eight-year, $56.8 million in July of 2008.

"I know what I can do out there," Campbell said. "I know I can be a dominant force. I have been here for a reason and I have been an All-Star for a reason. I have done great things and I just have to continue that and be more assertive. I can be more of a force at all times."

Following a season in which he had seven goals, 31 assists and was a plus-18 in 68 regular-season games and added a goal, four assists and a plus-11 rating in 19 postseason contests, Campbell is focusing on both the physical and mental aspects of the game during training camp."