The Los Angeles Kings selected Cammalleri in the second round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, 49th overall. He chose to remain in college, rejoining a much-younger Wolverines team as an alternate captain and expected to be the team's offensive leader. Early in the season, on October 1, 2001, he played in the "Cold War" against Michigan State University, an outdoor game that set a then-world record attendance for a hockey game at 74,554 fans. Though he nearly missed the game due to a hip-flexor injury, Cammalleri figured in all three of Michigan's goals as the game ended in a 3–3 draw.