McNiven finds solace in camp invite
BOISBRIAND, QUE. Michael McNiven’s mind is clear as he attempts to earn a job at Team Canada’s world junior selection camp.
Circumstances beyond his control dictated a different path to the camp for the 19-year-old goaltender with the Ontario Hockey League’s Owen Sound Attack.
In late November, McNiven attended the funeral of his birth mother, with whom he had been in contact during the last three years and only on the phone or through social media.
“I flew out to Winnipeg on an off-day and met some new cousins, stayed with them,” McNiven said.
“It was a great 12 hours I had there. I got to release a lot of energy that was built up inside and I finally got to let it go. I feel a lot better now and I came back and just tried to play as strong as possible.”
McNiven, who was born in Winnipeg, was raised by his paternal grandparents Jim (who died in 2013) and Christine McNiven in Georgetown, Ont., and for the past few years has been building a relationship with his father.
The hockey road to this camp has had its bumps for McNiven and those have been overcome. He was passed over in the 2015 NHL draft, but was signed by the Montreal Canadiens three months later.
For Owen Sound, McNiven has put together solid numbers in 2016-17, going 15-7-1 with a .914 save percentage and a 2.41 goalsagainst average.
Competition this week at the Centre d’Excellence Sports Rousseau for the two goalie spots comes in the form of Carter Hart, who could have the inside track to be the starting netminder, and Connor Ingram. Both have been great to start the season in the Western Hockey League, Hart with the Everett Silver tips and In gram with the Kamloops Blazers.
“All three are playing elite hockey … and even though they don’t have world junior experience, a lot of international experience, they are the hottest in Canada,” Hockey Canada director of player personnel Ryan Jankowski said.