Pickford signs NHL entry-level contract with Canadiens

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 27, 2025.

sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

Medicine Hat Tigers captain Bryce Pickford is having quite the year.

The 19-year-old defenceman captured his second Ed Chynoweth Cup in the spring with the Tigers and is on pace for one of the best seasons by a WHL defenceman in recent history, coming after he was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in June.

The year’s work was capped off ahead of Christmas as the Chauvin, Alta. product signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Canadiens. Announced on Wednesday, Pickford’s deal begins in the 2026-27 season.

Pickford, the 81st overall pick by Montreal in June’s NHL Entry Draft, leads all WHL skaters and CHL defenceman in goals this season with 25, adding 44 points in 31 games. He is three points away from his career-high point total, set last season.

In last year’s playoffs, en route to the WHL championship, he set a modern CHL record scoring 13 goals in a single postseason.