The NHL draft is not the only opportunity that the Montreal Canadiens have to add prospects out of junior hockey to their development pipeline. Ryan Johnston, Markus Eisenschmid, and Michael McNiven are all examples of undrafted players who were dubbed either “too small,” “too slow,” or some other dismissive qualifier.
They were each passed over in the NHL draft, but were then extended a tryout opportunity by the Canadiens at the team’s development camp, based on the evaluation of the amateur scouting team, led by Trevor Timmins.
McNiven appeared at development camp in 2015, and is currently among the top goaltenders in the OHL and should be making his pro debut next season.