The Montreal Canadiens training camp is just around the corner and it will be filled with young players and draft picks that have the potential to be NHL players in the future.
One recent Canadiens draft pick that will not be in attendance is Cam Hillis, but he is going to get a chance to catch on with a division rival. He signed a professional tryout (PTO) contract with the Red Wings and will attend their training camp without the guarantee of an NHL deal.
Hillis was drafted in the third round of the 2018 NHL Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He was playing in the Ontario Hockey League with the Guelph Storm and had scored 20 goals and 59 points in 60 games as an OHL rookie.
After being drafted, Hillis scored 22 points in 33 games in an injury riddled 2018-19 season and then wrapped up his OHL career with 24 goals and 83 points in 62 games. The 5’9″ and 174 pound center was known as a skilled playmaker and earned an entry-level contract with the Canadiens following his Junior career.
His first pro season was interrupted by Covid, and he played 18 games with the Laval Rocket, scoring just one point and being buried on the fourth line. In 2021-22 he made his NHL debut, playing one game when the Canadiens were ravaged by injuries and had Covid running rampant in the dressing room.
He also played 24 games with the Rocket, scoring nine points and was sent to the ECHL where he scored nine points in 14 games with the Trois-Rivieres Lions.
He started last season with the Lions and played three games before being traded to the Rockford IceHogs for Nicolas Beaudin. He had two points in 18 games with the AHL’s IceHogs and was sent back to the ECHL with the Indy Fuel where he scored 50 points in 45 games.
Detroit #RedWings have signed UFA forward Cameron Hillis to a professional try out. https://t.co/FIUsEfTEZp
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) August 28, 2023
Now, he will have a chance to impress the Red Wings. He clearly can put up points at the ECHL level, but the 23 year old is yet to even show an offensive touch in the AHL. He showed some offensive promise as a Junior, but hasn’t been able to translate that to the pro level. At least not yet.
The Red Wings must be considering an AHL contract for Hillis or may need to add some depth to the organization for the upcoming season. Hillis will have a chance to show he can bring that to their AHL affiliate next season.
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