Sonny Milano hasn’t played in a hockey game for the Washington Capitals since November 6, but the injured forward has still managed to be a part of the Caps’ magical season on the ice in his own subtle way.
Jakob Chychrun, who is playing his first season for the Capitals, has been wearing Milano’s Bauer hockey gloves and to great success. The 26-year-old defenseman has scored 13 goals and collected 33 points in 48 games. He’s on pace to notch career highs in goals (20), assists (31), and points (51) and hit the 20-goal mark for the first time in his nine-year career.
Earlier this week, RMNB’s Katie Adler asked Chychrun why he’s been rocking Milano’s mitts in the Capitals locker room. Is it a tribute to an injured teammate? Are his own customized gloves lost in the mail?
“The gloves I was wearing for a long time, the company went to a different palm factory and I just didn’t like it,” Chychrun said. “I’ve been wearing them all year, and in camps and stuff.”
The palm of the glove is a thin layer of fabric that runs from the bottom of the hand to the start of the fingers. The material is typically derived from leather and can have varying different textures and feels, potentially impacting how precise a shot or pass is.
Chychrun appears to be wearing both Milano’s Bauer Ultrasonic and Bauer Mach gloves. The Florida-born rearguard has been spotted by RMNB wearing both versions of the mitts at games which have different customizations for Sonny Milano’s name. One version clearly says MILANO printed on the blue cuff while the others have SONNY stitched on the side near the pinky.
The only times Chychrun has not rocked the Milano’s mitts are “with our black uniforms” — the Capitals’ Screaming Eagle alternates.
Chychrun is not only particular with his mitts. He is also one of the rare hockey players who wears different companies’ gear from head to toe. He wears a CCM Super Tacks X helmet and True Catalyst skates. He plays with a CCM JetSpeed FT4 stick and holds it with Bauer gloves. His hockey pants are made by CCM.
How detailed Chychrun is with his on-ice equipment mirrors his creative diet at home where the defenseman looks for any advantage he can get.
While the Milano gloves are about comfort, one would think Chychrun asked permission from the Capitals forward before rocking his mitts.
“No, he didn’t even know until like a few weeks ago,” Chychrun said.
