Capitals' Sonny Milano Returns To The Ice For Shoulder Check Showcase, Full Contact As He Works Toward Comeback
Washington Capitals winger Sonny Milano expects to be ready for the start of training camp.
After an upper-body injury and “significant setback” held him out for the majority of this past season, Washington Capitals forward Sonny Milano is officially back on the ice.
Milano took part in the Shoulder Check Showcase, which featured Ryan Leonard, Trevor Zegras, Chris Kreider and a number of NHL players, in Stamford, Connecticut on Thursday. It marks the first time Milano was publicly seen back on the ice and taking part in a full contact game.
The 29-year-old had an assist in the game as he played for Team Quick, setting up Matt Rempe for one of the several goals on the night.
Video from Shoulder Check Showcase Livestream.
Milano appeared in just three games all of last season, going scoreless with a minus-3 rating. He had tried to come back later in the year and was nearing a return, but a setback during his rehabilitation held him out for the remainder of the campaign.
General manager Chris Patrick said a few weeks ago that he spoke with Milano recently and that he is optimistic that he will be ready at the start of training camp, where he will attempt a comeback for the Capitals.
"He's preparing to be a player for us at training camp," Patrick said, adding, “He's excited, he's ready to go."
This coming season is the final year of Milano’s contract, as he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer. He will face heavy competition at camp, though, with Ivan Miroshnichenko, Hendrix Lapierre, Andrew Cristall and Ethen Frank, along with dark horse Henrik Rybinski, competing for roster spots.
Over three years wtih Washington, Milano has posted 26 goals and 30 assists for 56 points. He has 137 points in 313 career games over 10 years.