Sonny Milano Set to Sign With Blue Jackets Instead of Going to NCAA
A month ago we reported that the Columbus Blue Jackets 2014 first round pick, Sonny Milano, seemed to be having doubts about his NCAA commitment. At Blue Jackets development camp, he wasn’t too sure on whether or not he’d be heading down to Boston to attend college. Less than a month later and news has broken that Sonny Milano is indeed choosing to stay in North America instead of heading to the NCAA.
The first-round pick was committed to join Boston College this fall to play for the Eagles however, doubt arose surrounding Milano’s commitment, at development camp when he wasn’t sure where he would be playing this fall. However, just last week he reinstated the fact that he would indeed be heading to Boston to join the Eagles.
"“Less games gives you more time to work out. You’re playing against older guys. Just BC as well. It’s one of the better colleges in history, Jerry York is a great coach, he knows what he’s doing. It’s the best way to get to the NHL.” Sonny Milano"
Over the last week something changed and now Milano has his sights set on signing with the Blue Jackets and thus allowing them to control his hockey future. While he’s still a few seasons away from cracking an NHL line-up, he will be closer to the team that drafted him when he joins the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers.
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It appears that the Blue Jackets willingness to sign their 16th pick from the 2014 first round has played a large role in convincing Milano to opt out of his NCAA career. The Blue Jackets are expected to ink Milano in the next few weeks while he warms up for a season with the Whalers, much closer to the NHL. Milano broke the news by reaching out to Eagles coach Jerry Yorke who released the following statement;
The news has to be a big blow for Eagles fans and Boston College, who has had the benefit of some exceptional talent go through their school en route to reaching NCAA hockey dominance. With several graduates already turning pro and leaving their system, the loss of Sonny Milano is not a pleasant one for the Eagles.
As more details emerge, it appears that Milano may have never wanted to play in the NCAA, wanting to turn pro and hit the NHL as soon as possible. By committing at Boston College, he would not be eligible to turn pro for the next three seasons and if he doesn’t impress after four, he may have been left without an NHL contract.
This past season he scored 29 goals recording 85 points in 58 games with the American U-18 team in 2013-14 and earned a gold medal with the US at the 2014 U-18 World Championship.
Sonny Milano will now become a member of the Plymouth Whalers for the 2014-2015 season. The Blue Jackets will give him a long look in training camp and Milano will have lots of chances to impress with the Whalers.