Parker Milner played in a preseason game in Hershey on September 30, 2018 in Spencer Carbery’s first year as Bears head coach

Parker Milner’s rookie lap was more than just a cool moment. It showed how the Washington Capitals value each and every member of the team. From star players to practice goalies, everyone is important and is part of the team’s success. 

“That was awesome that Parker Milner could dress for an NHL game,” Caps coach Spencer Carbery said after the team’s 4-3 shootout loss to Anaheim. “People have no idea what he does for our organization. He shows up every single practice and takes hundreds of shots. … This guy just shows up and does it time and time and time again.  It’s incredible.” 

This isn’t the first time the Caps have shown their thanks to Milner. In 2019, the Caps signed Milner to an NHL contract to reward him for his hard work and as insurance for a potential playoff run. 

It was a nice mid-year surprise,” Milner, who is now 35 years old, told Caps Outsider at the time.  “I’ve never been on an NHL deal.”

Milner would ultimately announce his retirement from pro hockey in 2020 at the age of 29 to become the food editor for The Post and Courier. He finished his career having played four seasons in the Capitals organization, including games with Hershey, with Carbery as the head coach. He won Goalie of the Year in the 2017-18 season in the ECHL. 

“Parker Milner has won games for me,” Carbery said Friday night. “[He’s] a big reason I had success in the AHL. I was so happy for him and that we were able to give him this moment tonight.”  

For Milner, it gave him the taste of the dream that all hockey players hope to see come true — a day in the NHL. 

Milner said Friday night after the game that he found out around 2:30 in the afternoon that he would be able to suit up for Washington. He was with the team at the time, practicing with them.

“I’ve played so many hockey games and never made it to this point,” Milner said. “Even to get here, even in this way it was pretty special.” 

While it is easy to say the right thing, it’s harder to put it into practice. On Friday night, the Caps walked the walk. 

They gave Milner his rookie lap, a time-honored tradition in the NHL. But they also treated him like he was a regular. 

In the Caps’ famous pre-warmup tunnel, Alex Ovechkin encouraged him to the front and used a nickname. Martin Fehervary, who crossed paths with Milner in Hershey gave him a high five. 

“It’s a testament to the guys in here that they would have me do something like that,” Milner said referring to his rookie lap. “They treat me like I’m part of the group every single day I’m here.” 

In a league that constantly talks about “culture and identity” and “playing together as a team” it is often hard to tell what that means. On Friday night the Caps showed what it means by giving Milner a once in a lifetime experience.

At age 35, Parker Milner gets his NHL rookie lap. Outstanding! pic.twitter.com/RzdAzQwnHj

— John Walton (@JohnWaltonPxP) December 6, 2025