Kamloops’ Hicks, Milburn reflect on winning NCAA D1 hockey championship with Pioneers

Hicks was invited to take the honourary first shot before the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves tipped off in NBA post-season action on Monday (April 20) at Ball Arena.

“A little bit of nerves come up in that situation,” Hicks said with a laugh. “I got it in, so I’m pretty happy about that.”

He threw the first pitch before a Colorado Rockies’ game while accompanied by teammates near the mound and has been a topic of conversation on Spittin’ Chiclets.

The Pioneers were also hosted and toasted by the Colorado Avalanche during a recent home game.

“We met the Lumineers,” Milburn said. “That was pretty cool. We’ve been treated so well.”

Hicks was named most outstanding player of the national championship tournament, thanks in part to superb shot stopping in the Frozen Four.

He made 49 saves in a 4-3 win over Michigan in the semifinal round and turned aside 29 shots in a 2-1 victory over Wisconsin in the title tilt.

Milburn, a forward, tallied one goal and six points in 40 games this season. He was dressed and on the bench for the final, but did not play.

“If someone went down, I was ready to go,” said Milburn, who played with the Chilliwack Chiefs for four seasons in the B.C. Hockey League before joining the Pioneers.

“Obviously, you look at it selfishly and you wish you could be in those games, but I was happy to be there for the boys. I understood my role near the end. I wouldn’t trade it for anything to be alongside those guys. Hopping over those boards and getting to celebrate with the boys is the best feeling in the world and something I’ll never forget.”

Hicks, who was undefeated this season (16-0-1) and set the NCAA single-season save percentage record (.957), endured a winless campaign (0-16-5) with the Merritt Centennials in 2021-2022.

“I made a lot of very, very meaningful connections, one of them being my goalie coach now, Nathan Wolfe,” Hicks said. “My billets were amazing. I feel like playing in Merritt created the foundation for who I am today.”

Hicks enjoyed standout stints with the Brooks Bandits and Victoria Royals, but was passed over in the NHL Draft.

“It definitely creates a chip on my shoulder and a little fire inside my stomach,” Hicks said. “I know I’m an undersized guy (5-foot-10) and I understand the stigma that has gone around in hockey, with taller guys being chosen over the smaller guys. I understand that, but it makes me want to prove that stigma wrong.”

Milburn tallied 20 goals and 52 points in 49 games in his 19-year-old season with the Chiefs, adding 11 goals and 22 points in 22 post-season contests before moving on to the NCAA ranks.

“Originally, I was supposed to play at Lake Superior State with my two older brothers (Reagan and Connor),” Milburn said. “I ended up making the switch. It worked out for me. I’m super grateful to play for this organization. I came here to win a national championship and we were able to do it in our first year. It’s a pretty cool experience for me.”

Hicks and Milburn grew up playing in the Kamloops Minor Hockey Association ranks.

“We’ve played together pretty much my whole life up until junior hockey,” Hicks said. “It’s pretty crazy how everything has worked out. The fact that we won a national championship together creates a pretty special bond.”

by Marty Hastings

Kamloops’ Hicks, Milburn reflect on winning NCAA D1 hockey championship with Pioneers

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