Hillis: 'I want to give back as much as I can'

MONTREAL - When it comes to dealing with adversity, Cameron Hillis certainly knows how to take a walk in the shoes of those facing it.

After an exciting 2017-18 rookie OHL season where he finished third on the Guelph Storm with 59 points, Hillis was limited to just 33 games in an injury-riddled sophomore campaign.
It wasn't an easy time for the Canadiens' third-round pick (66th overall) in 2018, but it gave Hillis a chance to reflect on his good fortune getting to play the game at such a high level with an eye on making the NHL.
"It made me appreciate the game a little more," recounted Hillis. "It opened my eyes, and I asked myself the question, 'What can I do to give back to the game and help others play the game that I love so much?'"
The answer, it turns out, was for the 20-year-old to launch his own foundation, the Hillis Found8tion, which partners with the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities to help "give as many possible kids the chance to try sports, fall in love with any game, make long-lasting friendships, and learn everything sport has to offer."

Working closely with the Storm's Community Relations Coordinator, Steph Coratti, the Found8tion launched in late March after play in hockey rinks the world over had come to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hillis was undeterred by the circumstances in his efforts to get his initiative off the ground, believing that the pandemic made it all the more crucial to get going and help out.
"A lot of people are struggling right now, whether it be mental health or job loss... I think everyone is struggling with something right now," shared the 5-foot-10, 171-pound center, whose foundation is just over halfway towards reaching its $8,000 fundraising goal. "It's to give a breath of fresh air to some people and - with some of the initiatives we've done, just to get people outside exercising. We just launched our merchandise, too, a couple of weeks ago. It's just something for people to look forward to."

This isn't Hillis' first foray into the world of charitable endeavors; far from it. The Oshawa native rolled up his sleeves for a series of initiatives - from work with mental health organizations, to school visits, to fundraising for Australian wildfire relief - which led to him being named winner of the Storm's Mike Kelly Humanitarian Award for 2019-20.
Hillis credits his mentors on the Storm for steering him towards philanthropy.
"Because the game means so much to me, I want to give back as much as I can. My first year in Guelph, Garrett McFadden started his movement called McFadden's Movement. He was a big help for me my first year," recalled Hillis, who was named captain of the Storm for the 2019-20 season. "I'm just following in his footsteps and wanting to make an impact off the ice, too, with something I hold close to my heart."

Getting ready for the big show
The playmaking pivot didn't get to close out his Junior career the way he presumably would've wanted to due to the pandemic, but he finished seventh in the OHL this past season with 59 assists, and his 83 points tied for 12th in the league.

Hillis' solid work on the scoresheet earned him an entry-level contract with the Canadiens in May, and he's been putting his time away from the rink to good use as he gets set to turn pro.
"It's been a really long offseason, but I think that's what I needed. I know it's been tough not getting the season going underway right as we planned, but I've used this time to really put on some strength and some size," said Hillis, who finished in the top-3 in the Western Conference in three separate categories in the 2019-20 OHL Coaches Poll. "Hopefully I can get going here soon, but I think the long offseason has been a blessing in disguise for me."

Given the Canadiens' offseason additions up front Hillis may not crack the big club's lineup right off the bat, but he will be looking to emulate his one-time teammate on the Storm as he gets closer to that goal. After all, he and Nick Suzuki were both members of the OHL and Memorial Cup-winning Storm squad in 2018-19 and Hillis was thrilled to see his friend shine in the 2020 NHL postseason.
"I just talked to him the other day. It's pretty impressive to see what he did in the playoffs last year. He played Junior two years ago now. Last year was his first year making the jump and it looked pretty effortless," praised Hillis. "It's pretty impressive to see and it's something to look up to as well."
For more information on the Hillis Found8tion or to make a donation, click here.
To buy Hillis Found8tion merchandise in support of the initiative, click here.