Charley Milner
Charles Milner, OO (born March 11th, 1968) is a Valorian ice hockey coach who has coached the Valorian National Team since 2018. Prior to coaching the national team, he was manager of the Boston Spirits for thirteen seasons, from 2002 to 2015. A former professional player, Milner played for the Spirits for nine seasons, from 1986 to 1995.
Milner is widely regarded as the single greatest figure in Valorian ice hockey history. He has won the VHL championship 12 times, 6 as a player and 6 as a manager. He has won 3 Coupes Balbuzard, 1 as a player and 2 as a manager. In 2008 and 2009, Milner led the spirits to back-to-back Doubles, the only instance of such a feat in VHF history, and he is credited with the Spirits 2000s decade star.
Early life (pre-1986)
Career as a player (1986 - 1995)
Injury and end of playing career (1995 - 2002)
Managerial career with the Boston Spirits (2002 - 2015)
Managerial career with the Valorian National Team (2018 - present)
Image and legacy
Milner is widely regarded as the single most important figure in Valorian ice hockey history. His achievements in everything from playing to managing a VHL team to managing the national team have made him one of the most universally-beloved figures in the nation. He is sometimes nicknamed "The Pride of Valoria" or the "Patron Saint of Valoria."
Honors and awards
Across twenty-two seasons in the VHL, first as a player, then as a manager, Milner has won a total of 23 awards: 12 VHL titles (6 as a player, 6 as a manager); 3 Coupes Balbuzard (1 as a player, 2 as a manager); 2 Doubles (both as a manager), and 6 Golden Pucks.
In June 2018, Milner was nominated as the 38th inductee to the Order of the Osprey by Prime Minister Julia Anne-Claire. He was affirmed by President Lawrence Jackson the same day, and confirmed by the National Assembly in a unanimous vote two weeks later. Anne-Claire formally inducted Milner on September 23rd, 2018.
Year-by-year record
| Year | Team | League Results | Playoffs | Coupe Balbuzard | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Boston Spirits | Third (39 pts) | Runners-up | Quarter-Finals | |
| 1988 | First (47 pts) | Champions (1st title) | Runners-up | x1.9 (1) | |
| 1989 | First (49 pts) | Champions (2nd title) | Round of 16 | ||
| 1990 | First (54 pts) | Champions (3rd title) | Round of 16 | ||
| 1991 | First (46 pts) | Champions (4th title) | Quarter-Finals | ||
| 1992 | Second (40 pts) | Champions (5th title) | Runners-up | x1.9 (2) | |
| 1993 | First (47 pts) | Champions (6th title) | Round of 16 | ||
| 1994 | First (48 pts) | Semi-Finals | Semi-Finals | ||
| 1995 | Second (45 pts) | Runners-up | Champions (1st title) |
| Year | Team | League Results | Playoffs | Coupe Balbuzard | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Boston Spirits | Second (38 pts) | Runners-up | Semi-Finals | Rookie Manager of the Year |
| 2004 | Third (45 pts) | Champions (1st title) | Quarter-Finals | ||
| 2005 | Second (43 pts) | Runners-up | Quarter-Finals | ||
| 2006 | First (47 pts) | Champions (2nd title) | Runners-up | x1.9 (1) | |
| 2007 | First (51 pts) | Semi-Finals | Quarter-Finals | ||
| 2008 | First (43 pts) | Champions (3rd title) | Champions (1st title) | Double (1) | |
| 2009 | First (50 pts) | Champions (4th title) | Champions (2nd title) | Double (2) | |
| 2010 | First (46 pts) | Champions (5th title) | Runners-up | x1.9 (2) | |
| 2011 | First (48 pts) | Runners-up | Round of 16 | ||
| 2012 | First (48 pts) | Runners-up | Semi-Finals | ||
| 2013 | First (46 pts) | Champions (6th title) | Semi-Finals | ||
| 2014 | Third (40 pts) | Semi-Finals | Quarter-Finals | ||
| 2015 | Third (39 pts) | Semi-Finals | Quarter-Finals |