The Montreal Canadiens signed centre prospect Cameron Hillis to a three-year contract with undisclosed financial terms. This contract carries him through the 2022-23 season.
The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract (2020-21 to 2022-23) with forward Cameron Hillis.#GoHabsGohttps://t.co/d7eNd3BPsP
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) May 12, 2020
Cameron Hillis Signs With the Montreal Canadiens
Hillis has spent the past three seasons playing for the OHL’s Guelph Storm. He has put up 54 goals and 110 assists for 164 career points in 155 career games. He was originally drafted in the third round, 66th overall of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Canadiens.
Last season he scored 24 goals and 59 assists for 83 points, which equates to 35 points over a full 82-game NHL season. He also added 43 minutes in penalties. For this past season, Hillis also served as captain of the Storm.
His contract will begin in the 2020-21 season.
What This Means for the Future
Hillis is an understated and possibly underappreciated piece for the Habs down the road. In a scouting report from 2018, our own Ben Kerr states his potential to slot in as a top-six forward down the road for the Habs. For a team that not so long ago had major worries at the centre position, it now projects to be one of strength not too far from now. Players like Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Ryan Poehling are promising pieces. They’ll complement centres Phillip Danault and Max Domi in the present but will certainly play more impactful roles throughout the remainder of their careers.
General Manager Marc Bergevin has done a stellar job drafting in this regard, and the payoff will come sooner rather than later. A smooth, safe two-way forward, Hillis projects to a part of better things to come in Montreal.
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