In 2018, the Montreal Canadiens had a very clear NHL Draft strategy — load up on centres to help bolster a long-time position of weakness in the organization. With Jesperi Kotkaniemi at the top of the draft, the Canadiens used one of their third-round picks on Guelph Storm centre, Cam Hillis.
There was an unofficial competition of sorts in the following year between Hillis and fellow picks Allan McShane and Cole Fonstad, to see who would end up earning an entry-level contract. Hillis won out, signing his contract in the spring after an outstanding 83-point season with the Storm.