In a surprising turn of events, the Washington Capitals are bringing back a familiar face to the ice, but this time, he's trading his pen for a hockey stick! Retired goaltender Parker Milner, once a food critic for a South Carolina newspaper, is stepping up as the emergency backup for Logan Thompson in their game against the Anaheim Ducks. But here's the twist: Milner's story is not just about sports.
The Capitals announced on Friday that their regular backup goaltender, Charlie Lindgren, is injured and will be out for the game. Enter Milner, a former member of the South Carolina Stingrays and the Capitals' organization. He spent four seasons with the Capitals, playing in the ECHL and AHL, even sharing the ice with Thompson during his time in South Carolina. And this is where it gets interesting—Milner's connection to the team doesn't end there.
Head coach Spencer Carbery has a history with Milner, having coached him for four AHL games during the 2018-2020 seasons. Milner's last AHL start was impressive, shutting out the Lehigh Valley Phantoms with 19 saves in 2019. But after his retirement, Milner took an unexpected path, becoming a food editor for the Post and Courier in 2021.
Despite his new career, Milner has kept his ties to the Capitals, serving as a practice goalie. This role allows the team's players to get extra training without exhausting the primary goaltenders. Milner is a well-known presence at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex, and although he doesn't usually travel with the team, he was invited on their West Coast road trip.
The team's recent win over the New York Islanders sparked a locker room celebration, with Milner receiving a shoutout from a player and Carbery himself. But the story takes another turn. The NHL's emergency backup goalie role is set to change significantly, with new rules requiring full-time, traveling members. Milner doesn't meet the criteria, but for now, he's back in the game with a professional tryout deal.
With Lindgren's injury potentially long-term, the Capitals might need to call on other goaltenders from the AHL. And this is the part most people miss—the human stories behind the sports headlines. Milner's journey from goaltender to food critic and back again adds a unique flavor to the world of hockey.
Do you think Milner's experience as a food critic will give him a unique perspective on the ice? Share your thoughts on this unexpected comeback story!
