Seattle Thunderbirds goalie Thomas Milic, the Western Hockey League goaltender of the week. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds

Seattle Thunderbirds goalie Thomas Milic, the Western Hockey League goaltender of the week. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds

Seattle Thunderbirds Milic named WHL goaltender of the week

Saves 56 of 58 shots in two victories by Kent-based team

Seattle Thunderbirds goaltender Thomas Milic was named Western Hockey League Goaltender of the Week for the week ending Dec. 12.

The WHL announced Dec. 13 that Milic had received the honor.

Milic posted a 2-0-0-0 record, 0.96 goals-against average and .966 save percentage over 125 minutes of work this past week, turning aside 56 of 58 shots in the process, according to a WHL news release.

The product of Coquitlam, B.C., began his week Dec. 7 by turning aside 31 shots in a 2-1 Thunderbirds shootout victory over the Kelowna Rockets at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent.

Three nights later, the 18-year-old posted a victory in his first-ever start in his home province of British Columbia, stopping 25 of 26 shots in a 6-1 victory over the Kamloops Blazers.

Milic, who was named the U.S. Division Rookie of the Year during the 2020-21 WHL season, has helped Seattle, as of Dec. 13, collect nine of a possible 10 points in his last five outings.

The 6-foot, 170-pound netminder was originally selected by the Thunderbirds in the third round of the 2018 WHL Draft. In 30 career WHL appearances, all with the Thunderbirds, Milic holds a 17-10-2-0 record to go along with a 2.65 goals-against average, .911 save percentage and two shutouts.

Seattle entered this week in third place in the Western Conference just behind the Everett Silvertips and Kamloops Blazers. The Thunderbirds play Everett at 7:05 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17 at the ShoWare Center and then travel to play the Silvertips on Dec. 18. They are then off for 10 days before playing the Spokane Chiefs at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28 at the ShoWare.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

Armani Albert runs down the sideline with a defender draped all over him.
Boys soccer: Kentwood ties Puyallup on the pitch

Conks’ record now 1-1-1 through first three games.

Kentwood center fielder Jackson Dulay up to bat. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood baseball drops home opener

Trevor Nyhusmoen goes three scoreless innings on the mound.

Kentwood’s starting pitcher Tyler Maurer faces Liberty on March 14. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kent 2023 high school sports spring preview

The 2023 spring sports season is upon us. Here is a preview… Continue reading

t
Hinton, Gray to be special guests at Tacoma Stars game in Kent

March 18 game to celebrate former coaches of the Stars; Hinton also coached the Seattle Sounders

Sea Dragon WR Jordan Veasy celebrates and looks at the home fans after he scored the go ahead touchdown Feb. 23. Photos by Ben Ray/Sound Publishing
XFL is back in Seattle – here’s what you need to know

Sea Dragons drop home opener to St. Louis Battlehawks.

Kentridge senior Dorian Thomas goes up for a lay up against Union in the second half. Photos by Ben Ray/The Reporter
Basketball: Kentridge boys hit with early exit at district tournament

Coach Jamison says “I’m done” and set for retirement after 25 years

Kentridge sophomore Tia Schanbeck takes a three in the fourth quarter. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls take out Kentwood on the road

The Charger girls need one win to secure a spot in the state tournament