WHL Stars & NHL Debuts: WHL champion Milic takes flight with Winnipeg Jets

Raleigh, N.C.- From the Thunderbirds to the Jets, Thomas Milic is flying high.

The 22-year-old goaltender faced a flurry of shots in his NHL debut on Friday, November 28.

Despite coming out on the wrong side of a 5-1 loss to the Metropolitan Division powerhouse Carolina Hurricanes, Milic put up 30 saves.

What dreams are made of 🥺 pic.twitter.com/zTrLO1pAGP

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) November 28, 2025

“First period, we had a lot of guys that forgot to show up,” Jets Head Coach Scott Arniel said postgame. “That first period, got the kid in net and take two sloppy penalties. We get stuck in there a few times, lost a lot of battles, some structure stuff that we got away from. You know, the kid made some big stops, kept us in that one, obviously allowed us a chance.”

Milic steered aside 30 of 34 shots in the decision and held the game at a 1-1 tie past the midway mark of the third period, despite the Jets being outshot 20-10.

He also stood on his head to deny Carolina on four powerplay opportunities.

“It’s always nice having a save early, especially the first actual save that I made- get a good, clean look and get a whistle from it,” Milic said. “I think that set the tone for most of the game.”

While it wasn’t the result the New Westminster, B.C. product wanted, he got to share in the special moment with the people who’ve supported him throughout his hockey journey.

“(I) actually had my parents, billet mom from junior came in, and then a couple of other family and friends,” Milic said.  “So, it’s pretty cool. They flew overnight last night just to get here for the game.

Before the game today, I took a minute to sit in the stands and just, you know, appreciate everything they’ve done for me, you know, my whole life, really. So I’m super grateful for them and glad I thought they could come watch my first one.”

Milic’s big break has come after parts of three seasons with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose and a pair of brief pit stops with the ECHL’s Norfolk Admirals.

In 2025-26, he’s gone 5-2-2 with the Moose while posting a 2.14 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage and one shutout.

He’s tied for sixth in save percentage among all AHL netminders and sits seventh in GAA.

The Jets selected Milic with the 151st overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Draft and signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract in May of 2024.

Clocking in at 6-foot, 175-pounds, Milic has battled his way up the pro ranks after a sensational showing in the junior ranks.

After cracking the WHL U.S. Division Second All-Star Team in 2021-22, Milic erupted for First All-Star Team honours the following season and snagged the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy as WHL Goaltender of the Year.

More hardware for newly-named 2023 #WHLPlayoffs MVP, Thomas Milic!@SeattleTBirds | #NHLDraft | #WHLChampionship | #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/4tkhIym2m5

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) May 20, 2023

Milic logged an astonishing 27-3-1-0 record with a league-leading 2.08 GAA and .928 save percentage, in addition to four shutouts.

He hit a new gear in the 2023 WHL Playoffs with a blistering 16-3-0 record, pristine 1.95 GAA, .933 save percentage and one shutout.

Milic was named WHL Playoff MVP as he backstopped the Thunderbirds to the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

He also put forward a gold medal-winning performance for Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, going undefeated with a 5-0-0 record, 1.76 GAA and .932 save percentage.

The Jets (12-11-0) look to snap a four-game slide as they visit Milic’s junior teammate, Reid Schaefer, and the Nashville Predators (8-12-4) on Saturday, November 29 at 5:00 p.m. MST.