Frank Sonny Milano Bio
Frank Sonny Milano is an American professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League while also seeing time with their American Hockey League affiliate, the Hershey Bears. Selected in the first round, 16th overall, by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Milano has built a career spanning multiple organizations over nearly a decade at the professional level. Known for his offensive instincts and playmaking ability, he has contributed to Calder Cup championship hardware and recently delivered his first career NHL hat trick. Milano has represented the United States internationally at multiple youth tournaments, capturing gold at the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championships.
Early Life and Background
Milano was born on May 12, 1996, to parents Frank and Caroline Milano in Massapequa, New York. Growing up on Long Island, he was a fan of the New York Islanders and cited Ziggy Palffy as his favorite player. Milano began skating at the age of two after watching his sister participate in figure skating lessons, immediately showing an early interest in the sport. He played in the 2009 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the New York Rangers minor ice hockey team, gaining valuable international tournament experience at a young age.
At age 15, Milano left home after being recruited by Cleveland Barons coaching director Tim Alexander to join their Midget Minor Tier 1 team. He attended the Portledge School in Locust Valley for his freshman year while playing for the Barons before transferring to Rocky River High School. 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, establishing himself as one of the top prospects in his age group.
Path to Professional Hockey
Milano was rated as a top prospect heading into the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and was widely projected as a first-round selection. He trained with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons and was invited to participate in the 2013 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game. Milano initially committed to play for the Boston College Eagles in the Hockey East Association but changed course after being drafted by Columbus.
On August 16, 2014, Milano notified Boston College of his intention to sign a professional contract with the Blue Jackets, forgoing his college eligibility. He played the 2014-15 season with the Plymouth Whalers in the Ontario Hockey League before signing a three-year entry-level contract with Columbus on September 11, 2014. This decision marked his transition from junior hockey directly into the professional ranks, bypassing the collegiate route that many of his peers pursued.
Frank Sonny Milano Career
Columbus Blue Jackets and AHL Development (2015-2020)
Milano concluded his OHL career on March 23, 2015, and was assigned to the Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons. He made his professional debut immediately, recording five assists through 10 games to close the season. The following year, he was reassigned to the Lake Erie Monsters, Columbus’ newly aligned AHL team. With the Monsters during the 2015-16 season, Milano tallied 12 goals and 27 points through 48 games before receiving an emergency recall to the NHL on March 30, 2016. He recorded his first career NHL assist on April 2, helping the Blue Jackets defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-1. He finished that season with 14 goals and 31 points in 54 AHL games while contributing four goals and four assists during their Calder Cup championship run.
The 2016-17 season saw Milano shuttle between the AHL and NHL multiple times. After initially being assigned to the Cleveland Monsters, he was recalled four times throughout the season. He made his Stanley Cup playoffs debut on April 16 during the Blue Jackets’ first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, entering as a replacement for a suspended Matt Calvert. He led the Monsters in points and assists that season with 18 goals and 29 assists for 47 points.
Establishing NHL Footing and Trade to Anaheim (2017-2020)
For the 2017-18 season, Milano made the Blue Jackets’ opening night roster directly out of training camp for the first time in his career. He scored his first career NHL goal on October 6, 2017, in a 5-0 shutout victory over his hometown New York Islanders. He accumulated eight goals and five assists through 35 games before suffering a torn oblique muscle during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on January 8, 2018, which expectedly sidelined him for four to six weeks. Upon returning, he finished the regular season with 14 goals and 22 points in 55 games and made his post-season debut in Game 2 of the first round against Washington.
The 2018-19 season brought limited NHL opportunities as Milano scored only one goal in eight games before spending the remainder of the year in the AHL. After a productive offseason where he switched trainers and felt renewed confidence, Milano made the Blue Jackets’ opening night roster for the 2019-20 season and played his first NHL game in 349 days. He recorded five goals and 13 assists through 46 games before Columbus traded him to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Devin Shore on February 24, 2020. Upon joining the Ducks, he recorded two goals and three assists through nine games before the season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anaheim Ducks Tenure (2020-2022)
On July 28, 2020, the Ducks signed Milano to a two-year, $3.4 million contract extension. He was placed on the Ducks’ top line alongside Ryan Getzlaf and Rickard Rakell to begin the 2020-21 season. However, the line struggled to produce early, managing only one point through the team’s first four games. Milano later suffered an injury that led to him being assigned to the San Diego Gulls on a Long-Term Injury Conditioning Loan. Despite establishing new offensive career highs, the Ducks did not tender Milano a qualifying offer at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Washington Capitals Era (2022-Present)
After going unsigned over the summer, Milano joined the Calgary Flames on a professional tryout contract to attend training camp in September 2022. He was released from his tryout without securing a contract on September 27, 2022. Beginning the season without a club, Milano signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Washington Capitals on October 17, 2022. He was immediately placed on waivers and, upon clearing, was assigned to the Hershey Bears in the AHL.
Milano recorded three points through five games with Hershey before being recalled to the NHL on November 2, 2022. He collected a primary assist in his 200th career NHL game during a 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 8. As he became a mainstay in the lineup, Milano found chemistry on a line with Dylan Strome and Nicolas Aube-Kubel before later being paired with veterans Tom Wilson and Nicklas Backstrom. By early February 2023, he ranked fourth on the team in goals and sixth in scoring since his NHL debut, with eight even-strength goals and 14 assists through 40 games. His strong performance earned him a three-year contract extension with an annual salary cap hit of $1.9 million.
Late in his second season with Washington during the 2023-24 campaign, Milano scored his first-ever NHL hat trick in a dramatic 7-6 shootout win over the favored Carolina Hurricanes at home. The victory boosted the Capitals’ hopes of avoiding back-to-back postseason misses. He later scored twice in the Capitals’ final regular-season meeting with the Tampa Bay Lightning, breaking his previous single-season goal record of 14 and helping solidify Washington’s hold on the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, which was clinched on the regular-season finale against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Driving Style and Strengths
Milano is known for his offensive instincts, quick hands, and playmaking ability from the left wing position. His hockey sense and ability to create scoring chances have been evident throughout his career, particularly on the power play where he has seen regular ice time. His speed and skill set make him effective in transition, and he has shown the ability to complement different linemates throughout his career with multiple organizations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Several milestones stand out in Milano’s career, including his first professional championship with the Lake Erie Monsters in 2016, his first NHL goal against his hometown Islanders in 2017, and his first career hat trick against Carolina in 2024. He has represented the United States at five international tournaments, winning gold at the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championships and bronze at the 2016 World Junior Championship.
Frank Sonny Milano Career Wins
Throughout his professional career spanning the AHL and NHL, Milano has accumulated wins across multiple organizations and levels of competition. His most significant team achievement remains the 2016 Calder Cup championship with the Lake Erie Monsters, while his 2024 hat trick represented a personal milestone at the NHL level.
American Hockey League Highlights
Milano’s AHL career has been marked by consistent production when playing at that level. His most impactful season came in 2016 when he contributed four goals and four assists through 17 playoff games as the Lake Erie Monsters captured the Calder Cup championship. He led the Cleveland Monsters in points and assists during the 2016-17 season with 47 points and was among the top producers for Hershey Bears during his 2022-23 recall. His ability to produce at the AHL level has been a consistent thread throughout his career, often serving as a bridge between call-ups to the NHL.
National Hockey League Highlights
At the NHL level, Milano’s career highlights include scoring his first professional goal against the New York Islanders on October 6, 2017, in a memorable 5-0 shutout. His first career hat trick came much later in his career during the 2023-24 season against the Carolina Hurricanes, a dramatic victory that showcased his offensive abilities at the highest level. He has appeared in Stanley Cup playoffs with Columbus and contributed to the Capitals’ playoff push during the 2023-24 season.
Other Wins and Performances
Milano’s international career includes a bronze medal with Team USA at the 2013 World U17 Hockey Challenge and a gold medal at the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championships where he helped the USA squad capture the title.
Frank Sonny Milano Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Milano was born to Frank and Caroline Milano in Massapequa, New York. His family provided support and stability during his early years in hockey, with Milano beginning to skate at just two years old after observing his sister’s figure skating lessons. Growing up on Long Island in a hockey-friendly market, Milano was exposed to the sport early and developed his skills through local programs before advancing to higher levels of competition.
Personal Life
In July 2019, Milano and then-Colorado Avalanche forward A.J. Greer were arrested in New York City for an alleged third-degree assault. The alleged incident involved a dispute over money after the victim demanded payment for table service at a nightclub. Charges against Milano and Greer were subsequently dropped in January 2020 after they paid an undisclosed amount for the victim’s medical bills and completed community service requirements.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NHL season presented challenges for Milano and the Washington Capitals organization. He missed a significant portion of the season after sustaining an injury early in the campaign during a 3-2 home victory over the Nashville Predators on November 6, 2024. The injury sidelined him for an extended period, disrupting the momentum he had built following his breakthrough 2023-24 season where he set new personal bests. As Milano works toward recovery and a return to the lineup, the Capitals continue to rely on their veteran core while integrating younger players into significant roles. The organization remains hopeful that Milano can provide offensive depth upon his return, particularly given his chemistry with key teammates and his ability to contribute in various situations throughout the lineup.