After the official offer to join the Kraken for camp, Milic Face-Timed his parents first thing.
"They were super happy," said Milic. "They've been my biggest supporters, even when nothing happened with the draft."
Milic grew up watching Vancouver Canuck star goalie Roberto Luongo, but in recent seasons said he has expanded his attention to all high-end goalies he gets a chance to see or play against in an effort to "learn ways to improve."
One way to get better fast is facing NHL shooters at Kraken camp. He does come with some experience. He worked out this summer at the Delta Hockey Academy with a number of NHLers, including Montreal's Brendan Gallagher, Calgary's Milan Lucic, New Jersey's Ty Smith, Colorado's Bowen Byrem and Thunderbirds alum and Washington defenseman Brenden Dillon among others.
"I am definitely looking forward to taking advantage of my first NHL camp," said Milic. "I plan to learn all I can from the pro guys, coaches and fellow younger players."
Milic described his game as "very athletic, calm and collected in pressure situations." He added his skating is a strong suit, which certainly fits into the Kraken list of ideal player attributes.
Milic's WHL career record (including one emergency backup win as a 16-year-old) is 6-4-0 with a 2.85 GAA and 0.910 save percentage in 11 WHL regular season appearances (the pandemic significantly shortened the 2020-21 WHL season.
The young goalie, who projects to be a leading performer for strong U.S. Division contender WHL Seattle this season, is one of seven Thunderbirds teammates joining NHL camps this fall.
Along with Milic, center Henrik Rybinski (Edmonton) and defenseman Jeremy Hanzel (Tampa Bay) are also attending NHL camps as free agents.
Center Matthew Rempe (New York Rangers, 2020, sixth round), D-man Tyrel Bauer (Winnipeg, 2020, sixth round), left wing Conner Roulette (Dallas, 2021, 4th round) and Lucas Ciona (Calgary, 2021, sixth round) are going to camps as drafted prospects.