Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 3rd year left wing Sonny Milano(22) pots his first NHL goal in his 8th game.
He is still only on the 2nd year of his entry level deal, as he was able to skate with affiliate Cleveland Monsters on a slide in his first campaign due to his young age, and even helped them win the 2016 Calder Cup Championship scoring 4 goals and 4 assists in 17 playoff appearances.
The 6′ 195 lbs. forward plays with speed and has great hands for play-making, which he put on full display last season in a career high 63 AHL games.
He was the team’s leading scorer with 47 points getting 18 goals and 29 assists.
At still only 21-years old with three years of pro experience under his belt, he was able to crack the parent club’s opening night roster and with this tally will likely not be looking back.
Sonny Milano (22)
Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 1st round pick in the 2014 draft (#26 overall) rookie left wing Sonny Milano(22) is having a pretty decent first year with affiliate Lake Erie Monsters.
The only 19-year old forward has 12 goals and 15 assists in 48 AHL games with a +10 rating on a league leading squad.
Taking a bit of a unique path before turning pro at such a young age, he played two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program in the USHL as a point-per-game performer, while also playing for the under 17 and 18 of the USDP recording even better numbers.
As a highly touted player, he would leave to skate the next season with Plymouth Whalers, once again exploding on the score sheet with 22 goals and 46 assists for 68 points in 50 OHL games.
He would sign his three-year entry level deal at the conclusion of that campaign and be reassigned to join then minor league team Springfield Falcons for the remainder of the calendar getting five assists in 10 games.
His impressive play and possibly that the parent club is out of the postseason picture, earns him a first recall.
In two games, utilized for an average 12 minutes of ice time, he recorded his first NHL point, an assist with 1 shot, 3 hits, 2 breakups and 1 giveaway with a +1 rating.
He’s easily impressed and if he comes into 2016 training camp in good shape, should get a serious look to start the season in the show.