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“My parents and my billet mom from junior came in (from Vancouver), along with a couple of other family and friends,’ Milic told reporters in Raleigh.
Published Nov 28, 2025 • 2 minute read
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Winnipeg Jets goaltender Thomas Milic (32) watches the puck go into his glove during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes, in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Photo by (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker) /Winnipeg SunArticle content
The stands were less than full in Carolina, but Jets goaltender Thomas Milic delivered a full house from the west coast.
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“My parents and my billet mom from junior came in (from Vancouver), along with a couple of other family and friends,’ Milic told reporters in Raleigh. “They flew overnight last night just to get here for the game. I was happy they could come.”
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Unfortunately for Milic, his NHL debut in front of those who matter most wasn’t good enough to snap the team’s losing skid, this game a 5-1 setback to the Hurricanes on Friday. The Jets have lost four straight games.
The 22-year-old from New Westminster, B.C., found out he was making his debut after the Jets’ 4-3 loss to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.
“I have been preparing for (my first start) since I was called up,” he said. “I knew the time was going to come, that I had to get in there and I did my best to be ready.”
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Milic was called up by the Jets on Nov. 21 after the team revealed Connor Hellebuyck was ticketed for injured reserve with a knee injury. The Jets officially placed Hellebuyck on IR on Nov. 24.
Milic was drafted by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2023 entry draft. He played for the Seattle Thunderbirds in the Western Hockey League. The third-year pro is 5-2-2-1 with a 2.14 GAA and a .921 save percentage this season for AHL’s Manitoba Moose.
The rookie gave the Jets a chance, allowing one goal on 20 shots through 40 minutes, but the third period was his ultimate undoing.
The ‘Canes scored four goals, one into an empty net, to provide the winning margin.
“He played great,” defenceman Josh Morrissey said. “He made some huge saves, the one on the power play in the second comes to mind, amongst many others. We would have liked to give him a better result. I felt like the way he played deserved a better result. He played a good game and gave us a chance to win. And that’s all you can ask from your goalie.”
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Milic slid right to left to rob Logan Stankoven of a power-play goal at 17:04.
Head coach Scott Arniel didn’t fault the young netminder for the Jordan Martinook and Seth Jarvis goals 47 seconds apart that turned a 1-1 tie into a 3-1 deficit. Jarvis scored an empty-netter at 18:57. Alexander Nikishin beat Milcic to the short side from distance at 19:37. Jarvis had a hat-trick for the ‘Canes.
“The kid made some big stops, kept us in that one,” Arniel said. “(We came out in the third doing the right things, but those two quick goals were coverage plays. Those are coming right down Grand Central. That’s on us. I feel for the kid because (he gave) us a chance.”
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