SCHENECTADY, NY –Senior Union College men's ice hockey defensemen Lane Caffaro and Brendan Milnamow will continue their hockey careers at the professional level as the duo signed AHL contracts recently. Caffaro, who was a co-captain for the Dutchmen, signed a one-year deal with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins of the AHL. Milanmow, Union's leading defensive goal scorer in 2008-09, inked a one-year, two-way deal between the AHL's Texas Stars and the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads.

 

“Both players have worked extremely hard to develop to their potential,” said head coach Nate Leaman. “I'm happy for both of them and wish them much luck in their careers.”

 

Caffaro played four games with the Pittsburgh Penguins' affiliate after the conclusion of the ECAC Hockey playoffs. While with Wilkes-Barre, he produced one assist and saw time on the power play. Caffaro finished his Union College career as the program's leading defensive scorer and ninth all-time with 23 goals and 56 assists for 79 points. He was selected First Team ECAC Hockey in 2008-09.

 

“Playing professionally has been a goal of mine since I showed up on campus and even before that,” Caffaro said. “Playing at Union with this coaching staff has helped me develop and reach that goal. I'm just thankful everything panned out the way it did.”

 

Like Caffaro, Milanmow also spent time in the professional ranks after the collegiate season ended. He, along with senior Matt Cook, spent time with Idaho before returning to Schenectady, NY to finish school. With the Steelheads, Milnamow appeared in five games and posted a plus-two rating. While at Union, Milnamow played in 140 games, posting 40 points. During his senior season he led the defensive corps with a career-high nine goals.

 

“It has always been a dream of mine to play pro hockey and I'm thrilled that the Dallas Stars' organization game me a shot,” Milnamow said. “I enjoyed my time at Union and it prepared me to take this next step.”