NEWS

The OJHL announced today that Whitby Fury alternate captain Greg Milner (photo credit - Shawn Muir/OJHL Images) has been named the Gongshow Gear North-East Conference Player-of-the-Month for November after recording 23 points in 11 games played during the month.  

The Watford, Ontario native took it upon himself to pick-up the slack left when linemates Taylor Best and Mike Panowyk were at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge, leading the Fury to a 9-2 record in November and most recently an Honourable Mention in the CJHL Top 20 rankings nationally.  The consummate playmaker notched 17 assists to take over the OJHL lead with 31 helpers on the season, while notching points in all 11 games during the month to currently sit with a 14 game point streak.  His streak includes multiple points in 11 consecutive games from October 20 to November 17, including the first eight games of November.  Currently tied for fourth in the overall OJHL scoring race with 43 points, Milner helped the Fury to key divisional victories over the Cobourg Cougars and back-to-back over the Dudley-Hewitt Cup host Wellington Dukes.

"It is an amazing honour to be recognized by the OJHL as the Player-of-the-Month of November, for the very competitive North-East Conference,” said Milner.  “Our team as a whole has had a very successful month and I owe my teammates all the credit for this personal accomplishment.  This award could not be possible without the support of the entire Whitby Fury organization, who have given me the chance to succeed.  I look forward to the remainder of the season, and helping my team win in any way possible."

“The Fury organization is very proud of Greg's efforts,” said Fury General Manager Frank Robinson.  “Not only is he having a phenomenal year for us on the ice, but he is carrying a full load of second year university science courses at UOIT (University of Ontario Institute of Technology).  His work ethic on and off the ice is exemplary.”

Zach de Concilys of the Trenton Golden Hawks was named runner-up to Milner as the North-East Conference Player-of-the-Month.  The first-year forward recorded points in all 10 Golden Hawk November contests, including 10 goals and 19 points, helping lead his club to a 7-3 record.

Born on February 24, 1993, Greg Milner grew up in the small farming community of Watford, Ontario, playing his minor hockey locally and ultimately finding his way to the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs ‘AAA’ program.  

Milner finished his minor hockey career in 2008-09 with the powerhouse Chiefs minor midget squad, registering 28 points in 31 games played and another 10 points in the post-season as they downed the London Jr. Knights eight points to four to capture back-to-back Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario championships (also won Bantam title in 2007-08) and earn a berth in the prestigious OHL Cup tournament.  Milner would record three points as the Chiefs surprised many by winning the silver medal after falling to the Toronto Marlboros 5-1 in the championship game.  Following the season, Milner was selected by the London Knights in the 12th round, 239th overall, of the 2009 OHL Priority Selection.

With OHL aspirations, Milner would join the nearby Alvinston Flyers for the 2009-10 Great Lakes Junior ‘C’ Hockey League where he would notch 37 points in 40 games played while also making his OHL debut, playing five games with the Knights.  He would continue his upward trend the following season, making the jump to Junior ‘B’ with the Strathroy Rockets.  The offensive dynamo would taste instant success, recording 23 goals and 47 points in 51 regular season games played to be named the club’s Rookie of the Year, while adding eight points in the post-season to also be named their Playoff MVP.  He would play three more games for the Knights during the season, scoring his first career OHL goal, while also adding an assist.

The 2011-12 season saw Milner named captain of the Rockets and he would not disappoint, leading the club both on-and-off the ice.  Finishing fifth in scoring with 36 points in 34 games played, he was selected to play in the 2012 GOJHL Western Conference All-Star Game, notching three points for Team Harvey during a 14-12 loss to Team Weir in St. Thomas, Ontario.  It was during the playoffs, however, that saw Milner was at his best.  Leading the team with a combination of skill, 11 post-season points, and heart, saw him win the Bob Harvey Trophy as WOJHL Playoff MVP despite falling to the London Nationals four games to two in the championship.

Following the season, Milner moved another rung up the ladder and made the move east to Whitby, joining the Fury last season as a 19-year old.  With a great eye for the net, he continued his offensive prowess, finishing third on the club with 17 goals and seventh with 28 points in 50 games played.  This season, he has taken his game to the next level and is one of the leaders for the OJHL’s offensive powerhouse Whitby Fury and was recently named to the OJHL North-East Conference All-Star Team that will compete at the upcoming Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge being held from December 27-29 in Terrebonne, Quebec.