Canadiens future watch
Cole Fonstad, Cam Hillis and Rhett Pitlick continue to impress in their respective leagues
by Pierre-Antoine Mercier, translated by Matt Cudzinowski @CanadiensMTL / canadiens.com
MONTREAL - A few Canadiens prospects have stood out recently.
Cole Fonstad
The fifth-round selection of the Canadiens (128th overall) in 2018 has clearly found a home with the WHL's Everett Silvertips. Acquired by the club on October 13, Fonstad has six goals and 39 points in just 26 games with his new squad.
Before joining Everett, the Estevan, SK native had two goals and nine points in nine games with the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders.
Fonstad has eight goals and 48 points in 35 games during the 2019-20 campaign, ranking him eighth in the WHL in scoring.
But he ranks first in the league with 40 assists on the year.
His average of 1.37 points per game is also the seventh highest in the WHL ranks thus far this season.
Fonstad and the Silvertips own a 26-9-2-1 record in 38 games, which is good for third in the league.
Cam Hillis
The captain of the Guelph Storm has been a key contributor for his OHL squad since the start of the season.
Hillis, who won an OHL title with Guelph last season, has 14 goals and 53 points in 36 games thus far this year.
He has already matched his career-high with 39 assists, and he is just six points shy of matching his career-high in that department as well.
He currently ranks 11th in the OHL in points.
A third-round selection of the Canadiens (66th overall) in 2018, Hillis has collected at least a point in 25 of his 36 outings this season. He has six goals and 20 points in his last 15 games with the Storm.
Hillis is also enjoying success in the faceoff circle. The Enniskillen, ON native has won 56.2% of his draws (453 of 806).
Hillis and the Storm sit third in the OHL standings with a 22-10-1-4 record in 37 games.
Rhett Pitlick
After starting the 2018-19 season with the USHL's Omaha Lancers, Pitlick was traded to the Muskegon Lumberjacks on November 26.
The change proved beneficial for Pitlick, who has two goals and nine points in eight games with Muskegon.
Pitlick actually scored his first goal with the Lumberjacks against his former club.
He has six goals and 19 points in 25 games this season.
That ranks him fifth among rookies in points in the USHL ranks.
The Chaska, MN native is committed to the University of Minnesota for next season.
He was a fifth-round selection of the Canadiens (131st overall) in the most recent NHL Draft.