McNiven: Taking it all in

MONTREAL - While Michael McNiven didn't log any minutes during his two stints with the Canadiens this season, he didn't walk away from the experiences empty-handed.

On the contrary, the 21-year-old goaltender believes time spent around the big club for a three-game road trip in late December and for one game during Family Weekend at the Bell Centre will undoubtedly prove beneficial in the long run.
McNiven, who is back plying his trade with the AHL's Laval Rocket, can't say enough good things about having the opportunity to work with veteran Antti Niemi.
The 35-year-old Finnish netminder made his younger counterpart feel right at home when he joined the squad for his first NHL call-up that included him backing up Niemi for tilts against the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lighting and the Dallas Stars.
"It was a new scene for me, but Antti tried to make it as comfortable as possible. He was always asking me how I was, and even asking me about goals he let in. He'd say - 'I didn't see it develop as much as you might've seen it.' Just being able to see him play those games was big, especially in Dallas because that was such a strong game for him. He was outstanding," said McNiven, of Niemi's 45-save effort in a 3-2 overtime victory in Texas. "That game was a good learning point. In Tampa, we had a few bad bounces, and Antti came right back and stood on his head for the guys. That's a big thing at that level. I don't think the team would have asked for much more from him that night. It's definitely a big help when you have a goalie partner up there like that."

Seeing Niemi's work ethic first-hand was also eye-opening for McNiven, who feels privileged to have spent some quality time observing the 11-year NHL veteran and one-time Stanley Cup champion.
It only strengthened his resolve to be at his best game after game and reach his ultimate goal down the road.
"Watching Antti, I've almost never seen a guy work as hard as he does. To see his mindset, it makes me a lot more determined. I should be doing the same thing and I'm 14 years younger," mentioned McNiven. "Seeing how hard he works, it only makes me want it even more. Getting that opportunity, seeing the guys all up there, you get a good sense of how hard they work and what it takes to be at that level."

The call
It's safe to say that the Winnipeg native will always remember where he was when he found out that he'd be joining the Habs.
"After what I've been through in my career, I couldn't wait to eventually get that call. I really wasn't expecting it so soon. It came when it did and I just had to be ready regardless," said McNiven, who signed with the Canadiens in September 2015 after attending Development Camp on a tryout basis. "I was sitting in my hotel room and [Rocket head coach] Joel Bouchard called me. I was wondering why he was calling since I just came from the rink from morning practice. We had a game at Belleville. He just said - 'You're going to go up. Just go and enjoy your time and do what you've been doing this season.' He was happy for me."
Hitting the ice for warmups at BB&T Center in Sunrise, FL on December 28 proved equally shocking for the 2017 OHL and CHL Goaltender of the Year Award winner, too.
"It was definitely exciting and a little nerve-racking. It was something to see, especially in Florida. The amount of people that were around the glass, it must've gone up like five or 10 rows, just people packed on top of each other with Canadiens jerseys. It was amazing. I wasn't expecting that at all," described McNiven. "It was definitely a special moment for me, putting on the jersey and walking onto an NHL ice surface for the first time."

Going strong
McNiven has been stellar for the Rocket since early December.
In his last eight starts, he boasts a 5-1-2 record, along with a 1.80 goals-against average, a .938 save percentage and one shutout.
"Over the last two months, I've stepped up my game a couple of levels. I think that's where it needs to be," stressed McNiven. "It all starts from practice and then translating it into a game."

It's up to him to keep it going, of course, but he has all the motivation he needs to keep on trending in the right direction.
"I'm definitely very happy with where I am right now and what I accomplished over the last two months," concluded McNiven. "I have to keep on the same track I'm on right now and just continue doing the job I'm doing."