From Jr. C to world juniors, Sam Hillebrandt isn’t taking USA opportunity for granted
PLYMOUTH, Mich. – There’s a good chance you’ve never heard of Stayner, Ontario.
Statistics Canada listed the population as 4,699 in the 2021 Census. It’s part of an amalgamated community known as Clearview, a rural township west of Barrie.
But they love their hockey, and since 1972, they’ve supported the Siskins in the Provincial Junior Hockey League – a Junior C hockey organization. The league houses a whopping 61 teams, with the Siskins playing in the Stayner Community Centre – a building with a listed capacity of 250.
It’s homegrown hockey. And now one of their own is ready to represent the United States at the World Junior Championship.
Goaltender Sam Hillebrandt only played six games with the Siskins in 2022-23, but he left a lasting impact. He won all six games regular season starts and went 5-0 in the playoffs alongside starter Derek Hartley. Stayner lost out in the Schmalz Cup semifinals, but Hillebrandt’s impact was evident.
“I talked to Barrie to figure out where it would be best for me to get as many games as I can,” Hillebrandt said. “That was one of the teams.”
Given he played just 14 games in his NHL Draft year last season – 11 in Jr. C, and three with the OHL’s Barrie Colts – Hillebrandt wasn’t on any NHL’s team radar. He wasn’t invited to USA’s World Junior Summer Showcase tournament, either. By all accounts, Hillebrandt was as far off as an option as it gets. Heck, he got his start with the Colts as an emergency backup.
But with reports that Andrew Oke declined the invitation after making the team the past two years, the opportunity opened up to Hillebrandt, who was just as surprised as anyone to find out he was headed to Sweden.
“I couldn’t believe it, I was speechless,” Hillebrandt said, who didn’t know he was on USA’s watchlist until a week before he was selected.
Given Hillebrandt wasn’t drafted to any junior league – not the USHL, not the CHL, not the NAHL – he’s had to fight for his opportunities. And they haven’t come easy, either. The Port Huron, Michigan native has had to outplay 20-year-old Ben West for starts on Barrie, and Hillebrandt has had the edge so far. While an .898 save percentage isn’t anything special, it’s still top 10 in the OHL.
Hillebrandt cited the NCAA’s transfer portal, and how it can be difficult for younger players to get opportunities as a reason he elected to go the major junior route over heading to college. Only two other major junior players – Gavin Hayes and Carey Terrance – made it to USA’s camp roster, so it’s pretty exclusive territory.
Hillebrandt’s path to USA’s roster couldn’t be much different from his other goalie counterparts. Detroit Red Wings prospect Trey Augustine was the top goalie on the USA Hockey National Team Development Program the past two years, and he was USA’s starter at this event last year. Montreal Canadiens draft pick Jacob Fowler helped USA win gold at the World Junior A Challenge in 2022, was the USHL’s top goalie last year and is standing out at Boston College as a freshman.
Both are among the best goaltending prospects in the game and have significant experience with USA Hockey. Hillenbrandt had been to some summer camps, but that’s it.
It’s unlikely Hillebrandt will get any starts in Sweden. The other two are among the tournament’s top keepers. So, part of this is about the experience for an 18-year-old who has had to prove people wrong throughout his career. USA looks like one of the favorites to win gold, and Hillebrandt wants to be part of that experience.
And, hey. Look at Adam Gajan last year. He came out of nowhere as a last-minute addition to Slovakia’s roster and stole the spotlight like few before him have. You never know what’ll happen at this illustrious tournament.