Press Release

The Waterloo Black Hawks announced that goaltender Parker Milner has committed to play Division I hockey at Boston College beginning in the fall of 2009.

Playing in his first USHL season, Milner posted a 20-7-1 record, a 2.90 GAA, and tied for second in the league with three shutouts – the most by a Waterloo goaltender since Matt DiGirolamo accomplished that feat during the 2006-07 season. Milner also ranked second in shootout save percentage (.900) stopping nine of the 10 attempts he faced in the extra session.

The native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania began the season as a backup and didn't make his first appearance until he started the club's sixth game of the season, a 3-2 overtime win vs. Lincoln. Milner won seven consecutive starts from March 6th to March 21st recording a 1.41 GAA, a .954 SV%, and three shutouts during that span. He made a season high 38 saves in a 6-0 shutout against Sioux City on March 20th. Milner finished the regular season winning nine of his last 10 starts.

"Parker dealt with adversity in net last year and the way he played showed his character," said Black Hawks Head Coach P.K. O Handley. "He won the starting job late in the season, and when we gave him the ball, he ran with it."

Milner was voted most improved by his teammates this season and will now join Waterloo teammate Patrick Wey as freshman at Boston College in the fall. The 2009-2010 season will mark the ninth consecutive year Boston College has had a former Black Hawk on the roster.

The USHL celebrated its 30th season of junior hockey in 2008-09. With nearly 180 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 16 NHL Draft picks that played in the league this season, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.ushl.com.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)