Jets' Thomas Milic’s Deep-End Season So Far
If you’re a Winnipeg Jets fan trying to make sense of Thomas Milic’s early NHL chapter, you’re not alone. It’s been a messy, hurried, hope-filled stretch for a 22-year-old who was never supposed to be anywhere near this much NHL action this early. The plan was simple: keep polishing his game with the Manitoba Moose, keep stacking steady AHL starts, and maybe get a cup of coffee later in the season. But hockey has no respect for plans, especially when Connor Hellebuyck’s knee gave out, and the Jets suddenly had to reshuffle the entire depth chart.
Milic Had a Great Start with the Manitoba Moose
Milic was enjoying a terrific start with the Manitoba Moose in the American Hockey League (AHL). There, he posted a 5-2-2 record with a 2.14 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. For a young goalie, that’s not just “solid.” That’s a sign of someone tracking the right way.
He was calm in the crease, efficient in his movements, mature in his reads. The Jets rewarded that steady start by recalling him on November 21 after learning Hellebuyck would be out 4–6 weeks. It was a big moment but also a harsh spotlight: Winnipeg needed someone—anyone—to help them stay afloat. It is far from the season the team had hoped for, and not having their Vezina-winning goalie made the situation even more dire.
Milic’s NHL Debut Was a Loss, But That Wasn’t All on Him
His NHL debut came against the Carolina Hurricanes, a team that eats young goalies alive with sheer volume and pace. Milic stopped 34 shots and kept the Jets in the game longer than the final 5–1 score suggests. It was one of those nights where the stat line looks rough, but the eye test tells you something else. Milic was poised and competitive, hinting at what he could be once experience catches up to his talent.
Since then, it’s been the life of a call-up—relief appearances, chaotic assignments, and little rhythm. On December 2, he turned aside 15 of 17 in relief against Buffalo. On December 7, he stopped nine of 11 after Eric Comrie struggled against Edmonton. Through three NHL outings, Milic has allowed eight goals on 62 shots. Those numbers don’t sparkle, but they fit the story of a young netminder parachuted into a spiraling team missing its anchor.
For Jets’ Fans, It’s Time to View the Bigger Picture with Milic
And it’s essential to keep the whole picture in view: the Jets aren’t playing well defensively without Hellebuyck, and Milic hasn’t had the luxury of structured starts or manageable matchups. He’s coming in cold, often down a few goals, facing teams already rolling downhill. That’s a brutal environment to build confidence.
Monday’s reassignment back to the Moose isn’t a setback. For a young goalie learning the NHL ropes, it’s maintenance. Milic needs games, more starts with less pressure, and a chance to rebuild the rhythm that made him so strong in the AHL. The Jets also called up Dominic DiVincentiis, and it’s likely the two young goalies shuffle back and forth while Hellebuyck recovers.
So, Just How Good Is Thomas Milic? It’s Hard to Know
So who is Thomas Milic and how good is he? From his NHL starts, Jets’ fans have learned he’s a battler. He’s a technically sharp, mentally tough young goaltender learning the hardest lessons the NHL can throw at him, all at once. If he’s good, the stats will settle eventually. The experience he’s picking up right now? That sticks with a goalie forever.