Sonny Milano, a first-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in June, has told Boston College he will sign a pro contract instead of joining the Eagles this fall.
The school confirmed the news in a pair of tweets Saturday:
Sonny Milano has informed @BCHockeyNews that he will sign a professional contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets organization.
— BC Hockey (@BCHockeyNews) August 16, 2014
Jerry York: “Sonny has informed me he will sign a contract with Columbus. They will dictate his path as he embarks upon his pro career.”
— BC Hockey (@BCHockeyNews) August 16, 2014
In a statement released through his agent to the Columbus Dispatch, Milano said he will play for the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers this season.
Milano, a 6-foot, 183-pound forward from Massapequa, N.Y., was selected 16th overall by Columbus in June’s NHL Entry Draft.
He played the last two seasons with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
Milano’s statement to the Dispatch read:
Since being drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets at the NHL Draft in Philadelphia on June 27, I have been asked many times about whether I would continue with my plans to attend Boston College, or play junior hockey instead. In an effort to avoid controversy and further questions on the subject, I responded that I was looking forward to attending BC in the Fall. While I have had every intention of playing for Coach (Jerry) York and joining the best college hockey program in the country, since the end of my hockey season at the USNDTP I have been questioning whether going to school was the best situation for me.
Perhaps I should have acknowledged my growing indecision when asked about my plans, but it was difficult to explain to those who were asking when I did not even know myself what I wanted to do. After a great deal of thought and discussion with my family, I have spoken with Coach York and informed him that I will be playing for the Ontario Hockey League’s Plymouth Whalers this season.
I think that BC is the best choice for those players who wish to go to school and play hockey. Every player’s path to achieving his goal of playing in the NHL is different, and the best route for some is not necessarily the best route for others. For me, the opportunity to play in the OHL is the right decision.
If I have disappointed anyone, particularly the great people I have met at BC, it was certainly not my intention to do so, and for that I am sorry. I hope that BC and those involved with its hockey program understand my decision.
