Milne looks to make a name for himself

Brody Milne has received the message loud and clear, and he know what he does during his third OHL season must be equally loud and clear.

He has to be an impact player. It isn’t a make-or-break year for Milne, but he is treating it as if it were. Milne was acquired by the Sudbury Wolves in the pre-season from Windsor for conditional draft picks.

Milne wants to silence his critics and put himself on a trajectory to becoming a professional player while helping his new team make the playoffs.

“It’s always been the knock against me about bringing it every shift,” Milne said. “I’ve trained hard for this season and I want to prove myself. I want to make a new persona about myself. I’ve been known as an offence guy. I’m going to bring the defence every shift and be a complete player. I’m ready to work on my flaws and things I don’t do well. I know I have a lot of work to do and I will do it here in Sudbury.”

Milne came into the league with the Guelph Storm as a highly-touted scoring prospect, putting up two goals and five points in limited action in 34 games as a rookie. He was traded, along with a boat load of picks, to Windsor last season for Kerby Rychel and Nick Ebert as the Storm loaded up with veterans for a run at the Memorial Cup. Milne began to showcase his offensive talents more last season, recording 17 goals and 30 points in 68 games combined with Guelph and Windsor.

Milne hopes to find another level of offensive play, something that would benefit the Wolves greatly.

“I try to use my vision to create offence and work with my teammates,” he said. “I want to establish myself as an offensive player and a guy to rely on.”

The Wolves management brought Milne in to be a producer. They see Milne as an important piece of the puzzle potentially, especially with last season’s leading scorer - Nick Baptiste - out with an injury and also attending the Buffalo Sabres pro camp.

“Brody said it was an eye-opener for him being let go by Windsor,” Sudbury president and GM Blaine Smith said. “He was in shock. We made it clear to him we need to see commitment, consistency and results. He can bring offence and we need it. He has outstanding hands. His shot is hard and accurate. He needs to work on defence. He could end up being a steal for us, but it really is up to him.”

Milne will let his actions on and off the ice speak for him and he hopes it sends the message to his new teammates he is here for them. Milne wants to find a permanent home.
“I’ll be here to work hard no matter what and I hope my teammates respect that,” he said.

“I’ve bounced around the league. It’s a new start for me in Sudbury. It’s a new challenge. I will be here with a good attitude every day. I’m here to be a solid player in the line-up and be a team-first guy.”

Milne is well aware a good season in the eyes of scouts will go a long ways towards him earning a shot at the pros. He can’t leave anything for granted.

“It’s a big year for me,” he said. “I have to impress. I’m giving my all this season. I’m an older guy in the league and I know scouts want to see what I am made of and what I can really bring. I’m going to do my best to show them I have what it takes.”