Michael Milne Signs With Winnipeg Jets After Rollercoaster Season

A familiar name has returned to the Central Division as former Minnesota Wild draft pick Michael Milne has signed a one-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets. This deal presents the 23-year-old winger with a fresh opportunity following a tumultuous last season that saw him transition between three different organizations and four teams.

Milne was originally chosen by the Wild in the third round (89th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft after an impressive career in the WHL with the Winnipeg Ice. His time in Minnesota’s organization spanned four seasons, during which he developed with the Iowa Wild and made his NHL debut against the Dallas Stars during the 2024-25 season.

During his tenure with Iowa, Milne played 172 career games, tallying 32 goals, 33 assists, and a total of 65 points. His standout season came in 2024-25, where he achieved career highs with 15 goals and 26 points.

Despite being re-signed to a one-year, two-way contract last summer, Milne’s journey with the Wild took an unexpected turn in December when he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Boris Katchouk. After 19 appearances with the Syracuse Crunch, Milne was traded again before the deadline, finishing the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins and the Toledo Walleye in the ECHL.

Now, Milne is set to return to the city where he made his mark in junior hockey, signing with the Jets for the 2026-27 season. This move places him within one of Minnesota’s biggest rivals in the Central Division. While he is expected to start the season in the American Hockey League, this opportunity allows him to work his way back to the NHL. Should he receive a call-up, he could face the team that drafted him just four years prior.

For Minnesota fans, Milne represents a prospect who never secured a long-term spot with the organization. His new chapter with a division rival adds another layer to the evolving landscape of former Wild players in the Central Division.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.