Jon Milhouse – Versatility Personified:

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Jon Milhouse – versatility personified

by Don Klepp Added 2010-06-22

The Vipers couldn’t believe their good fortune when Jon Milhouse requested a move to Vernon prior to this season. The smooth-skating native of Yorba Linda, California had been the Victoria Grizzlies’ top playoff performer last year and had sparkled versus the Vipers in the 2009 RBC tourney.

He says that he “had a great time at last year’s RBC because it was in Victoria, but we didn’t win. I came to Vernon to win a national championship, so I couldn’t ask for anything better. To go out a winner in your 20-year old season is great, especially with this bunch of guys.”

His versatility was important to the Viper cause this year. At one time or another, he played on all four lines, including centre for Kellen Jones and Sahir Gill when Connor missed the round robin games at this year’s RBC Cup. Observers believed that the trio had been together all year because of how well they performed together.

He started the season on right wing, as he helped form a very productive unit with Braden Pimm and Mike Collins. After Christmas, he played mainly at centre, most often with Dylan Walchuk and with either Bryce Kakoske or Patrick McGillis.

He prefers playing centre: “That’s what I know best, what I’ve usually played. On wing, you’re up and down the boards a lot, except for the odd time when you come across and switch sides. I like the freedom and creativity at centre. Moving around from line to line and from centre to wing is not what I would have preferred, but it was all for the best.”

A point-per-game man during his three-year BCHL career, Jon also became a valuable penalty killer with the Vipers. “This was my first full year penalty killing. I had done a bit previously, but not to the extent that I was out this year. I like it now, especially when you break up a play and get a chance to score a shortie.” The speedster notched three short handed goals this season.

He also became the Vipers’ most reliable faceoff artist, so he saw a lot of action in the latter stages of close games. That part of his varied skill set became particularly valuable in the playoffs, Jon’s favourite part of the season.

Jon is well-travelled, having played for the WHL’s Everett Silvertips and Portland Winterhawks, in addition to the Santa Fe Roadrunners of the NAHL. He started his career in Everett in 2006. After spending a full year with the Victoria Grizzlies in 2007-08, he started the following season in Portland, but was persuaded to rejoin the Grizzles, who were preparing to host the 2009 RBC Cup.

He has some interesting comments about the WHL versus the BCHL. “The two leagues have got a lot closer. The speed is about the same, and there a lot of skillful players in the BCHL. The big difference would be the size of the WHL players, even the younger kids. Also, most Dub teams have more depth than most BCHL teams, with the possible exception of the Vipers and the Vees.”

“The other huge difference is the travel,” he says. “The WHL plays in two states and four provinces. In my second year, we had that Portland to Brandon trip – just brutal. On that same trip, we got off the bus in the middle of winter on the prairies and I didn’t know what to think. So cold! But I loved playing in rinks like the one in Prince Albert – great ice, great atmosphere.”

His powerful, smooth skating stride has elicited comments about the years of power skating classes he must have taken, but it’s all natural. “I’ve never taken a skating lesson,” he says, “ever since I started at age three or four. I think it’s just genetics. I’ve always been able to run fast, whether in track or in cross-country, and that’s translated into my skating.”

He does train in the off-season with the Anaheim Ducks’ trainer. (Jon’s father is the team doctor for the Ducks and for the Anaheim Angels.) However, he doesn’t specifically try to become a better skater.

Next, he hopes to play pro hockey, probably in Europe where the large rinks really suit his mobility and speed. His versatility will come in handy, too.