World Junior summer camps kicked off this week. The Blue Jackets have six prospects attending including four with team USA.
Sonny Milano was the star of the first game showing off his sweet hands.
As Milano-CBJ tends to do, showing off a lot of flash and skills during the scrimmage drill this morning.
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) August 1, 2015Then following it up with this ridiculous short-handed goal against Finland.
Sonny Milano's shorthanded goal against Finland was just unfair.
http://t.co/WN7TLqKj6l
— Adam Herman (@AdamHerman_BSB) August 2, 2015Also performing well at camp is CBJ second round pick Paul Bittner.
Paul Bittner having an excellent game. Two goals in the second period and using his size and hands optimally in front. #NJEC
— Joe Yerdon (@JoeYerdon) August 3, 2015I fully expect Bittner to make Team USA. He's a big body with a hard shot. Pairing him with a top playmaker like Milano or Jeremy Bracco could be deadly for the Americans.
After making the team last season, Milano's spot is locked up. He is eligible for the AHL this year and he could find himself playing in Columbus. At that point it would be up to the Blue Jackets if they want to release Milano for the team.
Milano does have one more year of OHL eligibility and could play for the Flint Firebirds. While unlikely it's still a possibly. If he's in the OHL, Milano's on Team USA one hundred percent.
As for the other two prospects attending camp, Zach Werenski, and Ryan Collins, both like Milano are returning players. Werenski’s spot on the team is guaranteed. He was one of the best defencemen for team USA last year as a draft eligible player. Collins spot is a little more wide open. He made the team last year as the seventh defencemen and didn’t see a whole ton of action. He is going to have to play well at camp and this season to earn his spot back.