Port Alberni, BC – Alberni Valley Bulldogs alumni continue to excel as former Bulldogs star forward and 2009/10 BCHL Coastal Rookie of the Year Mark MacMillan has signed a two-year entry-level contract with the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens.
Terms of the deal weren’t immediately disclosed.
MacMillan recorded career numbers as an Alberni Valley Bulldogs rookie in 2009/10 when he posted 26 goals and 54 assists (80 points) in 59 regular season games. MacMlllan followed that up with 14 points in 13 playoff games.
The Montreal Canadiens selected MacMillan in the 4th round, #113 overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
MacMillan committed to the University of North Dakota where he just finished his senior year. MacMillan was leading the conference with a career-high 16 goals when he suffered a fractured knee cap while blocking a shot during a game on February 28. He missed UND’s playoff run to the NCAA Frozen Four.
However, MacMillan was recognized several times for this accomplishments at the NCAA level. In 2011/12 he was a WCHA Champion, was named to the 2012/13 NCAA All-Academic Team, and this past season (2014/15) was named the NCAA (NCHC) Defensive Forward of the Year and was named to the NCAA (NCHC) First All-Star Team.
MacMillan is the third former Alberni Valley Bulldogs player to sign with an NHL team in the last month, joining alumnus Kenney Morrison who signed with the Calgary Flames and Casey Bailey who signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bailey recorded his first NHL goal on April 11 against the Montreal Canadiens; Dion Phaneuf and Peter Holland assisted the goal.
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are holding their annual Spring Identification Camp in Osoyoos, BC, on May 1-3, 2015. Prospects can register online by visiting www.albernivalleybulldogs.ca.
MARK MACMILLAN IS THE 3RD FORMER BULLDOG IN A MONTH TO SIGN AN NHL CONTRACT
