Johnny Hicks - Photo courtesy of the Denver Pioneers
Two Kamloops hockey products are a win away from a NCAA Division 1 men’s hockey championship.
Goaltender Johnny Hicks and forward Brady Milburn of the University of Denver Pioneers advanced to the Frozen Four final in Las Vegas with a 4-3 2OT win over Michigan. Hicks made 49 saves on 52 shots to backstop the Pioneers to the win. This after going 15-0-1 with a .957 save % and a 1.20 GAA. Hicks was recruited late to Denver after finishing up his final season of junior hockey with the WHL’s Victoria Royals. It came after stints in Merritt (BCHL) and Brooks (AJHL). The diminutive goaltender was always viewed as undersized – he attended Kamloops Blazers camp as an invite when he was 15. The 20 year-old is in his freshman season with the Pioneers.
Brady Milburn – Photo courtesy of Denver Pioneers
Milburn – also in his freshman season – saw limited action as Denver’s extra forward. The 20 year-old Kamloops native finished up his junior career after four seasons with the BCHL’s Chilliwack Chiefs. Milburn was originally committed to Lake Superior State before deciding to jump to the Pioneers. During the regular season, Milburn appeared in 40 games. He scored once and added five assists.
Denver was ranked 12th going into the playoffs and upset the #1 ranked University of Michigan Wolverines. They will play #2 ranked Wisconsin who defeated North Dakota in the other Frozen Four semi-final.
