Cameron Hillis

Cameron "Cam" Hillis (born June 24, 2000) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for Kiekko-Espoo in the Liiga. He was selected in the third round, 66th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Hillis played Canadian High School hockey with St. Andrew's College and also featured in the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association league. He was selected 28th overall in the 2016 Priority Selection Draft by the Guelph Storm and was later committed to join the major junior club for the 2017–18 season.

In his rookie season with the Storm, Hillis lead the league in assists among rookies with 39 and added 20 goals to finish with 59 points through 60 games to earn a selection to the OHL First All-Rookie Team. He was later selected in the third-round, 66th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

Following a successful three season junior career with the Storm, claiming the OHL championship in the 2018–19 season, Hillis was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Montreal Canadiens on May 13, 2020.

In turning pro, Hillis appeared in the pandemic shortened 2020–21 season with the Canadiens American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Laval Rocket. He was limited to just 18 games, registering a goal.

In the following season, Hillis began the season assigned to the Canadiens secondary affiliate, the Trois-Rivières Lions in the ECHL, before continuing his tenure with the Laval Rocket in the AHL. On December 27, 2021, with the Canadiens suffering a spate of injury and covid-related absences, Hillis was added to the taxi squad. He made his NHL debut with the Canadiens on January 1, 2022, featuring on the fourth-line in a 5–2 defeat against the Florida Panthers. After his solitary game with Montreal, he was later returned to the minor leagues for the remainder of the campaign.

Entering the final season of his entry-level contract, Hillis for a second consecutive year was assigned to begin the season in the ECHL with the Trois-Rivières Lions. Hillis contributed with 2 goals in 3 games with the Lions before he was traded by the Canadiens to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Nicolas Beaudin on October 26, 2022. He was immediately reassigned by the Blackhawks to join AHL affiliate, the Rockford Icehogs.

Leaving the Blackhawks at the conclusion of his contract, Hillis remained un-signed over the summer. On August 29, 2023, he was signed to a professional tryout contract to attend the 2023 training camp of the Detroit Red Wings. At the completion of training camp, Hillis was among the first cuts and was released from his tryout with the Red Wings on September 25, 2023.

Following his fourth North American professional season, Hillis opted to pursue a career abroad, agreeing to a one-year contract with Finnish club, Kiekko-Espoo of the Liiga, on July 30, 2024.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and honours

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hillis, Cameron
2000 births
Living people
Guelph Storm players
Hartford Wolf Pack players
Indy Fuel players
Laval Rocket players
Montreal Canadiens draft picks
Montreal Canadiens players
Rockford IceHogs (AHL) players
Trois-Rivières Lions players