Milford working hard to develop all-around game
By DANNY RODE
Noah Milford understood he had some work to do to eventually fit onto the Red Deer Rebels roster.
The 16-year-old native of Okotoks arrived at the Rebels camp last September as a high-end offensive minded forward.
He left with the understanding he needed to improve other aspects of his game.
“Being here I really understood how fast the game was, but the main thing was to work on the intensity and how engaged I had to be here and bring that back to make a bigger impact to my game,” said Milford, who is listed at five-foot-11, 165-pounds.
He did just that.
He’s been called up three times from the Calgary IHA U18 Prep squad this season and has impressed head coach Dave Struch.
“Right from training camp it was important for him that when he went home, he worked on his play away from the puck and with his competitive edge.
“When he came back after the Circle K Tournament, he was a different player. He had more of a competitive edge, he was getting to the pucks first, he won battles, was making a hit, taking a hit to make plays. I think he’s a completely different player.
“It’s fun to watch him. He’s very reliable. He makes some mistakes but that’s just in his development.”
Milford made his WHL debut with the Rebels January 11 versus Prince Albert, then was called back up in late January for a road trip through Saskatchewan. He played three games and scored his first WHL goal, Feb. 1 in Moose Jaw.
Noah Milford picking up his first @TheWHL goal! pic.twitter.com/nDvl0qmfyu
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) February 2, 2025
“That was pretty unreal,” he said. “You never expect it, but I saw it go through his five-hole, and it was pretty exciting. I felt way more comfortable and confident.”
After the road trip, Noah returned to his club team before another Rebels callup Feb. 28 against Calgary. He also played Saturday versus Kelowna and Tuesday against Brandon. He’ll be rejoining Calgary IHA for playoffs next week in Penticton.
Noah also played a pair of games this season with the AJHL’s Whitecourt Wolverines, where he picked up one assist. He also played two games last season with the Grande Prairie Storm, recording two helpers.
“I reached out though my agent to junior teams in an effort to just gain more junior experience,” he explained. “I thought it would benefit me for next year playing here, just getting more games under my belt.”
“It was good. I played two games (with Whitecourt) and shortly after I came back to Red Deer, and I felt more adjusted to the speed … it just helped in my transition.”
Milford was a seventh-round draft pick by the Rebels in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft even after scoring 26 goals in 32 games with the Okotoks Oilers U15AAA squad.
But he felt his placing was deserved.
“I had an OK season, but I was a one-dimensional player,” he said. “I was often not fully engaged. I was only worrying about scoring, not about my overall game.
“It was definitely an eye-opener in that skill wasn’t enough, it forced me to make changes to my game, be more of a complete player, more physical rather than just a one-way offensive guy.”
His stats this season with IHA shows just that.
He has 15 goals in 34 games but also 38 assists.
“I definitely stopped shooting as much. Not that I’m afraid to shoot, but instead of taking a selfish shot from the corner I’ll look for a teammate to move the puck to. My goal-scoring has dropped a bit, but overall, I’ve maintained the same pace.”
Struch had to smile when hearing that.
“He’s going to be a skilled player, an offensive-minded guy, but to have the puck you have to do things the right way without the puck. He’s done a lot of that, as I’ve said he has more of a competitive side, and if you compete at a high level, you should have the puck more and have more opportunities.”
Milford is right handed but has been playing his off-wing.
“I played left wing at U18 and also here,” he said. “I’m not overly comfortable, but as long as it helps get me in the lineup.”
“With his hockey sense and hockey IQ he’s reliable in all situations, even on his off-wing, which isn’t bad,” concluded Struch.
