This is his third invitation to a professional camp, after participating in the Toronto Maple Leafs camp and then accepting the invitation from the Boston Bruins last year at the same time.
The player who cracked the Team Canada junior roster this winter is the subject of trade rumors in the QMJHL and despite a final year of eligibility in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League, St-Hilaire is also taking advantage of the possibility of making the jump to the pros this season, whether in the American League, the ECHL or in Europe.
The trend, however, is for the goalie to play his last QMJHL campaign at age 20, whether in his case in Sherbrooke or elsewhere. As did his counterpart William Rousseau, who also played for Team Canada during a dream season with the Quebec Remparts before being traded in his last junior season to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, who were hoping to make a long run in the playoffs and reach the Memorial Cup, which was not the case.
The Phoenix goalie was also nominated for the Patrick-Roy Trophy, awarded to the goalie of the year in the QMJHL.
Samuel St-Hilaire has only played 77 games in junior hockey, including the playoffs, as he served as second goalie during his first year in the QMJHL in 2022-2023.
Injuries slowed down the Beauceron goalie last season, which forced the recall of Jacob Brochu, who returned to the Phoenix next season.
Let us recall that another well-known hockey player in Sherbrooke was also invited to an NHL camp: Jules Boilard with the Montreal Canadiens, older brother of Raoul, drafted by the New York Rangers this weekend.
