Forward Sonny Milano figures to be an integral part of the future success of the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

In this week's edition of The Journey, I'll be looking at Sonny Milano, the Columbus Blue Jackets top selection in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Despite their injury-riddled and disappointing 2014-15 campaign, the Columbus Blue Jackets are shaping up to be one of the better teams in the NHL for years to come. With a Vezina-winning goaltender in Sergei Bobrovsky, a stacked offensive front including new captain Nick Foligno, Ryan Johansen, and Scott Hartnell, and a very deep prospect pool including the likes of Alexander Wennberg, Marko Dano, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Kirby Rychel, the Blue Jackets are very obviously becoming one of the deeper franchises in the game. The 2014 Draft would not disappoint as the team selected USA Hockey alum Sonny Milano with the 16^th pick in the first round.

As mentioned, the 5-11, 180 pound Milano is a product of USA Hockey where he was selected to play in the National Team Development Program. At the same time, he was also selected by the Plymouth Whalers in the fourth round of the OHL Priority Draft. He decided to play for the U17 USDP team in 2012-13 and scored 20 goals to go along with 27 assists for 47 points in 56 games. Additionally, he was the leading scorer for the U17 American team at the WHC by registering 10 points in six games and the US managed a third-place finish.