Sonny Milano

Frank "Sonny" Milano (born May 12, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey left winger who is currently playing for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Milano was born on May 12, 1996, to parents Frank and Caroline Milano in Massapequa, New York.

Growing up, Milano was a fan of the New York Islanders and his favorite player was Ziggy Palffy.

He began skating at the age of two after seeing his sister skate during her figure skating lessons.

Growing up in New York, Milano played in the 2009 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the New York Rangers minor ice hockey team.

He left home at the age of 15 after being recruited by Cleveland Barons coaching director Tim Alexander to play for the Barons' Midget Minor Tier 1 team.

Milano spent his freshman year at the Portledge School in Locust Valley before moving to Rocky River High School while playing with the Barons.

During the 2011–12 season with the Barons, Milano led the entire Tier 1 Elite Hockey League with 44 goals and 43 assists for 87 points through 40 games.

He subsequently tried out for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in January 2012 but failed to make the team.

He trained with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program team during the 2012–13 and 2013–14 seasons, and was invited to participate in the 2013 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game.

Milano was committed to play for the Boston College Eagles men's ice hockey team in the Hockey East Association.

He was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round, 16th overall, of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Milano was rated as a top prospect who was widely projected to be a first round selection in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

However, on August 16, 2014, Eagles' head coach Jerry York announced Milano had advised the team of his intention to sign a professional contract with the Blue Jackets, thus forgoing his college eligibility.

During the 2014–2015 season, Milano was playing for the Plymouth Whalers in the OHL.

On September 11, 2014, Milano signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Blue Jackets.

On March 23, 2015, Milano concluded his OHL career and was assigned to the Blue Jackets American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Springfield Falcons.

He immediately made his professional debut with the Falcons and recorded five assists through 10 games.

Milano participated in the Blue Jackets training and development camp before being re-assigned to their new AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, for the 2015–16 season.

He finished the 2015–16 regular season with 14 goals and 31 points through 54 games.

He finished tied for fifth in goals and sixth in points for the Monsters.

Upon joining the Monsters, Milano tallied 12 goals and 27 points through 48 games before being recalled to the NHL level on an emergency basis on March 30, 2016.

He scored his first career NHL assist in his second game on April 2 to help the Blue Jackets beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5–1.

Milano remained with the Blue Jackets for three games before returning to the AHL for the remainder of the season.

Milano was an important player for the Monsters in their 2016 Calder Cup playoffs push.

He accumulated four goals and four assists for eight points through 17 games as the Monsters clinched the Calder Cup.

Following their Calder Cup win, Milano returned to the Blue Jackets' 2016 development and training camp prior to the 2016–17 season.

Although he was originally assigned to their newly named AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, to begin the season, Milano was recalled to the NHL on October 21.

At the time of the recall, he had accumulated one goal through two games.

He did not play during his callup and was returned to the AHL for two more games before returning to the NHL on November 4.

Milano made his season debut on November 9, playing on the second line alongside center Boone Jenner and right wing Cam Atkinson.

Despite the numerous call ups, Milano ranked second among all Cleveland players with .33 goals per game in all situations through six games played.

By February 21, Milano ranked second in team scoring with 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points while also tying Markus Hännikäinen for most goals among active Monsters players.

His production continued to steadily increase as the season continued and he added five goals and 13 assists by April.

As a result of his play, Milano earned his third call up of the season on April 3.

Milano played in one game with the Blue Jackets before returning to the AHL level on April 5.

He earned two more call ups on April 9 and 15 as the Monsters concluded their regular season.

Milano finished his second professional season leading the Monsters in points and assists with 18 goals and 29 assists for 47 points.

While with the Blue Jackets, Milano made his Stanley Cup playoffs debut on April 16 during their first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

His debut came during Game 3 as he replaced a suspended Matt Calvert.