ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd fˈoːɹɾi nˈaɪn, sˈɑːnmɚ wʌz sˈɛnt baɪ klˈiːvlənd tə ðə mˌɪniːˈæpəlɪs mˈɪlɚz ɪnðə juːnˈaɪɾᵻd stˈeɪts hˈɑːki lˈiːɡ ænd hɪz plˈeɪ ɐtɹˈæktᵻd ðɪ ɐtˈɛnʃən ʌvðə pˈɛɹənt klˈʌb.
In 1949, Sonmor was sent by Cleveland to the Minneapolis Millers in the United States Hockey League and his play attracted the attention of the parent club.