We continue our 2014 NHL Draft coverage today with our next prospect profile; over the next month Defending Big D will be dedicated to covering every aspect of the draft and the Dallas Stars needs and goals heading into the summer.
Today’s draft profile looks at the USHL forward Sonny Milano.
Sonny Milano: Left Wing, 6’0″ 185lb, Shoots Left
| Regular Season | Team | GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIMs |
| 2012-2013 | USNTDP Juniors (USHL) | 38 | 10 | 12 | 22 | -27 | 12 |
| 2012-2013 | US National U17 Team (USDP) | 56 | 20 | 27 | 47 | 27 | |
| 2013-2014 | USNTDP Juniors (USHL) | 25 | 14 | 25 | 39 | 21 | 21 |
| 2013-2014 | US National U18 Team (USDP) | 58 | 29 | 57 | 86 | 23 |
Sonny Milano is a speedy winger whose been playing with the United States development team for the last two years. He’s an impressive offensive forward with high hockey IQ and at his current level is an impressive goal scorer and playmaker. Some scouts believe that Milano’s skills will carry over best to the NHL as a goal scorer rather than a playmaker. Nevertheless the talent is there.
Milano’s biggest issue is that his defensive work needs a lot of refining and consistency. While some games he does go and back check and help out in his own zone he doesn’t normally. He is often caught out waiting for the breakaway rather than helping his own team get out of the zone. It’s this lack of defensive consistency that puts Milano further down the draft order.
He has committed to Boston College and so will have a good few years on a good NCAA team to refine his game and to become more defensively aware.
Milano is probably the best offensive forward coming out of the USHL this season and will be taken in the top 20 of this draft.
To see some of Sonny Milano’s stick work watch the video on this link from the NHL Combine. It’s quite impressive.
Scouting reports across the web:
An impressive playmaker, Milano drags defenders away from the play creating passing lanes. A pass-first forward, he is a versatile player capable of playing center or left wing when called upon. His relatively short stature allows him to be nimble on his skates, and his fluidity when accelerating and stopping is top notch.
Sonny Milano has good top end speed, but his quickness is outstanding. By that I mean that he has a tremendous first step, great acceleration, and the ability to change direction on a dime. This really helps him to get by defencemen as the moment he sees an opening, he can fly through it. His ability to change speeds is deceptive and makes him very elusive. Milano also has very good agility and edgework. His balance and strength on the puck would be improved by adding more muscle to his frame.