Checking in with White Lake native Dan Milan

By @StefanKubus –

White Lake native Dan Milan isn’t exactly sure where he’s going to wind up next season, but that doesn’t bother him.

Milan, 23, wrapped up the 2014-15 campaign with the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL – his first full ECHL season – recording 17 points and 178 penalty minutes in 70 games.

“I’m not really worried about it,” Milan said. “I had a really good season last year, my best so far, so something will pop up I’m sure, just got to be patient, let all the superstars sign first and then guys like me got to fill in, so we’ll see.”

Now, as he said, all he can do is go about his own business and put himself in the best possible position to succeed. The rest will take care of itself.

“Our job, is you train, train for about two hours. It’s not your stereotypical work day, but it’s definitely an intense two hours.”

While at home for the summer, Milan has found some time for fun, too.

In addition to spending weekends on the lake and volunteering at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s to help with youth players at his alma mater, he recently competed in Puckmasters’ 3-on-3 tournament in Wixom and said it was an excellent way to take a break from the strenuous grind of offseason training.

“You know a lot of these guys here just from skating around the area, and I played with a few of them and stuff like that growing up, but it’s always good to see guys back, especially something like this, 3-on-3. I did this two years ago, and it was a blast.

“It’s good to come out and just have fun and play hockey, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Milan – who played his junior hockey the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League after playing high school hockey at OLSM – isn’t the only one in his family striving toward the NHL.

His 19-year-old brother Cody has been spending part of his summer in East Lansing, gearing up to begin his collegiate career at Michigan State with the Spartans after three seasons in the USHL.

“He’s taking a little bit of a different route, going to college. I went major junior, but he’s excited, the whole family is excited and Michigan State is excited, so he should get a good opportunity there. He’s up there right now training with those guys and getting used to everything they have up there, but everyone’s excited for him.”