Kraken Invite Thunderbirds Goalie to Camp

When the Kraken open training camp, one goalie who's already shined for a Seattle team will take the ice. The team announced Wednesday it invited Western Hockey League and Seattle Thunderbirds goaltender Thomas Milic to an amateur tryout to attend both the rookie and NHL portions of camp at the Kraken Community Iceplex in the city's Northgate neighborhood.
"Thomas had a very productive rookie season in the WHL and it's exciting to add a local goaltender to our training camp," said Kraken General Manager Ron Francis. "Seattle has a rich hockey history and Thomas has shown he has the tools to represent the Thunderbirds at our inaugural training camp. We're looking forward to working with him."

The feeling is mutual with the 18-year-old New Westminster, B.C. native.
"It's definitely great news," said Milic Wednesday afternoon right after coming off the ice from a Thunderbirds workout in Kent. "I just found out yesterday [Tuesday]. After practice, my GM [Bill La Forge] told me to answer my phone. I had missed calls from my agent too."
Milic (pronounced "MILL-etch") was named the WHL U.S. Division's Rookie of the Year among all skaters last season and only allowed one goal in two victories as part of Team Canada U18's world championship gold-medal run. He was ranked 10th among North American Goalies by NHL Central Scouting in advance of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
Milic went undrafted but also undaunted: "I was still hoping to get a chance [to attend an NHL camp]. I just kept working and got myself ready for it to happen."

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.