As the days ticked away in June 2019, Scott Walford knew he needed to sort out his future. A 2017 third-round draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens, the defenceman went unsigned and became a free agent despite once ranking highly as a prospect.
For the Coquitlam, B.C., native, who had been an assistant captain with the Western Hockey League's Saskatoon Blades and Victoria Royals, it left a void in his career.
He sought other pro opportunities, but nothing came to fruition. Eventually, he took to McGill University in U Sports. Walford and 21 other U Sports men's hockey players will swap their school colours for all-star team sweaters between Dec.
12-13 in Oakville, Ont., taking part in a two-game exhibition series as part of Hockey Canada's world junior hockey championship selection camp ahead of the tournament in Gothenburg, Sweden.