At the last draft, the Canadiens selected defenseman Bryce Pickford 81st overall. We’re talking about a defenseman who was actually in his second year of eligibility for the NHL draft.
He was unclaimed in 2024.
And clearly, that motivated the kid, who really improved during the 2024-25 season. That’s why the Habs gave him a chance in the third round… but he might never have made it.
Because following the 2024 draft, Pickford was invited by the Red Wings to their development camp. And that clearly didn’t sit well with Pickford, as he explained to Nicolas Cloutier(TVA Sports).
He responded to the invitation by saying he wasn’t going to show up, because if the Red Wings liked him that much, they should have drafted him. Nothing less.