Canadiens agree to terms on a three-year contract with goaltender Michael McNiven

Montreal Canadiens Media Release

MONTREAL – Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin, announced on Thursday that the team has agreed to terms on a three-year, entry level contract (2015-16 to 2017-18) with goaltender Michael McNiven.

In 24 regular season games with the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack in 2014-15, the 6’1’’ and 212 lbs goaltender displayed a 15-8-0 record. Two of his wins were shutouts. In 1,334 minutes of ice time, McNiven maintained a 2.79 goals against average and a .914 save percentage, stopping 661 of the 723 shots he faced.

A native of Winnipeg, McNiven has played only one other game at the junior level, in 2013-14 with Owen Sound, allowing one goal on 18 shots in 31 minutes of ice time.

The 18-year old goaltender attended the Canadiens’ development camp last July as a try-out. He currently takes part in his first training camp with the team. McNiven also participated to the rookie tournament held earlier this month in London, Ontario, stopping 47 shots in a 6-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs’ rookies.

“It’s a very big day for me and my family. I wasn’t expecting to come out with it, but it definitely came across my mind with the way I pushed myself during the offseason. It’s a great feeling. It’s just a first stepping stone to many more. I’ve just got to keep on going from here on in,” offered McNiven. “This past summer, I wasn’t selected at the NHL Draft in Florida. It just goes to show that I’ve come a long way with my training and my nutrition, and I came out with the best result I could possibly have. I wasn’t too upset after the draft, and I’m especially not upset right now. I kind of feel like it still hasn’t hit me yet.”