New York traded for Jacob Trouba and Adam Fox over the summer to improve its blue line, and beyond Miller, it also has the likes of Nils Lundkvist and Matthew Robertson in the pipeline at the position. I liked the way he played. Listen here . But if there's any one thing he really, really wants you to know about him, it's that whatever he does next, wherever he goes in his career, it's because of his mother. 1 overall pick Slafkovsky out 3 months, Kane's return helps Oilers take home 4th straight, Flyers' Provorov boycotts Pride night, cites religion, Sabres name COO as president Pegula recovers, Vegas' Lehner files for bankruptcy; $50M debt, Wild lock up Boldy with 7-year, $49M extension, Matthews returns, scores 21st in Maple Leafs' loss, NHL rookie rankings: New names crack the top 5. As the Rangers look to continue building up their franchise, they know they need special types of players. Have you looked back and realized where you came from? Helling recalled asking Miller. [19], Miller's contract with the Rangers did not begin until the 202021 season. Amy asked her manager at work for extra hours so she could replace the broken sticks. And Miller is showing he can be that type of player for the Blueshirts. The way the New York Rangers ' first-round pick is progressing "A first-round pick like K'Andre -- you don't just want good players but good people. "Every team does their homework -- we're no different," Drury says. And Osiecki, a defensive guru, saw something in Miller that he had seen before: a former forward who could successfully make the transition to defense. The Hopkins, Minnesota, native had 22 points in 26 games and made the Big Ten's all-rookie team. And he credits the lessons she taught him, the people she put in his life and how she let him go at 16 years old to put himself in a better position to pursue his dreams. The Rangers may not have to wait much longer to see what Miller can bring to the table at the next level. Top 25 under 25 . After the murder of George Floyd, he voiced his support for the Black Lives Matter movement. "Obviously, [Rangers director of player personnel] Gordie [Clark] and our staff of amateur scouts had a good read on him. Former Minnetonka High School coach Brian Urick first became acquainted with a seventh-grade Miller who moved into the feeder youth program. [24] Although the Rangers struggled in the NHL's difficult East Division and missed the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs,[a] Miller, Alexis Lafreniere, and Kaapo Kakko anchored a core of players aged 22 or younger who sportswriters saw as capable of leading the team through future seasons. K'Andre Miller, the son of Fairmont High School graduate Amy Sokoloski, scored a goal for the Rangers tonight vs. the Minnesota Wild at Madison Square Garden. That push got a major challenge in high school hockey. Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski take you around the NHL with the latest news, big questions and special guests every episode. Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski take you around the NHL with the latest news, big questions and special guests every episode. He would be available to sign and join the Rangers' youthful defense corps after his college season concludes. The Rangers, who had several of their most important prospects sign contracts last summer, have no problem waiting a little longer for one of their potential future stars on defense. After his sophomore season, Miller was named to the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, which chooses 23 players annually for elite-level training at its headquarters in Plymouth, Michigan. NHLI via Getty Images. Select this result to view Amy Sokoloski's phone number, address, and more. Two years later, he appeared with the United States team at the IIHF World U18 Championship, helping take the team to a silver-medal finish with one goal, two assists, and a +4 rating in seven games. Miller was one of the first to verbally commit to Badgers coach Tony Granato after he was hired in 2016. Defensively, the more and more he plays at high levels, like at the World Juniors and in college, he's getting better and better.". "We didn't come from the richest family. But the idea of him playing defense never really went away, and when Minnetonka was short on the blue line in Millers sophomore year, Urick put the change to him as a one-week trial. That part has required a bit of a learning curve, and there have been a few bumps along the way. 55.6k Followers, 341 Following, 19 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from K'Andre Miller (@kandre.miller) kandre.miller. Miller, 19, is one of the most interesting prospects outside of the NHL today because of his current development trend and how he was shaped into the person he is today. Later, after scoring the most clutch goal of the season in the Rangers' 2-1 overtime win over the Dallas Stars, he couldn't help but get choked up as he recalled her pregame message. [36] While playing for the Minnesota Blades, Miller would help coach and put on clinics for the Junior Blades team, which Helling's daughter was a member of. As the Rangers look to continue building up their franchise, they know they need special types of players. Just prior to the season, Miller was suspended for an unspecified violation of team rules, causing him to miss an intrasquad game. Catch NHL games streaming live every night (and on replay) this season on ESPN+. He would be available to sign and join the Rangers' youthful defense corps after his college season concludes. Though Drury says the team will continue evaluating him over the course of this season before making a decision about when to sign him, Miller's upward trend developmentally at least puts him in the conversation to officially join the organization as early as this spring. At one of the biggest moments of his life to date, KAndre Miller shared a hug with his mom. You only get drafted by an NHL team once, so it fits into those life-changing moments alongside graduating college and getting married. [8] Two years prior to his NHL draft, Miller had already committed to attending the University of Wisconsin to play college ice hockey with the Wisconsin Badgers. MADISON, Wisconsin -- K'Andre Miller, a sophomore defenseman for the Wisconsin Badgers' men's hockey team, has a star quality about him that is unmistakable, whether he's on the ice or off. The 22-year-old defenseman has had several visits from his mother, Amy Sokoloski, since he made his arrival on the Rangers scene last season, but Tuesday will be something "Her motivation to even get me to this point pushed me every day to hopefully give back to her for all the things she sacrificed.". For the game that our team played, I thought he was good.". Having just added one of the nation's best recruiting classes, the Badgers look to Miller as a leader even though he's only a sophomore. [30], After aging out of under-18 tournaments, Miller represented the United States junior team at back-to-back IIHF World Junior Championships (WJC). They're now 13-2-2 in their last 17 games and have pulled into a tie with the New Jersey Devils for second place in the Metro Division, making their troubling November seem like eons ago. Follow. In Dallas on the morning of June 22, the first day of the NHL draft, Helling pulled Miller aside for a chat. Moments like those have added up over the years: The mom who made it all possible and the kid who used to draw nets on the wall in his building's parking garage where he'd shoot tennis ball after tennis ball. After his time in the development program, Miller spent two seasons with the Wisconsin Badgers while also appearing in two consecutive IIHF World Junior Championships. He had a couple deflections near the net. "The talent is there," Adam Fox said. Hellings role all along has been to help keep that growth on track by sharing some of the things he learned as he built to a pro career. At the time he was shooting those tennis balls, he still thought he was a forward. Helling climbed the ranks in a different sport in a different era, but the commonalities between him and Miller make the connection real. That was impressive to see. Lafrenire entered the game with a big opportunity after Gallant tapped him to fill in for the injured Chris Kreider, who sat out with an upper-body ailment he suffered in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout win over the Minnesota Wild. Hes almost like my father figure. Her being there and really putting all of her life into mine and really getting me to this point, I wouldnt be able to do it without her. It was something he shared with his mom, and Sokoloski made sacrifices to keep her only child in the game. Miller is the exceedingly proud son of Amy Sokoloski, who raised him as a single mom in Minnesota. He spent two years there at a critical time in his development as a defenseman. Always busy.. Despite the sloppy passing at times, the increasingly resilient Rangers found a way. And he is a centerpiece in the Rangers' rebuild and attempt to reenter contender status over the next few years. A poorly timed line change led to Dallas' only goal and nearly cost the Blueshirts the game. The Rangers may not have to wait much longer to see what Miller can bring to the table at the next level. "But we didn't play a smart game in the first half of the game. "We are very happy where he's at on his development curve," Drury says of Miller's choice to remain in school. And he was refreshingly honest about his desire to earn as much as he can to help his loved ones "Everyone Ive been through this journey with," as he put it. Miller was still learning the position when the Rangers called his name, but he seemed to be an especially quick study. It was the path Miller felt was the best way to achieve his ultimate goal. Having him in my life was huge.. 1 overall pick from the 2020 NHL Draft would jump from the third line to the first, along with taking Kreider's net-front position on the top power-play unit. But we just kept throwing him out there and throwing him out there, and he got better and he started to be more confident.. After sacrifices from his mother, a difficult position change and college hockey growing pains, Miller is now a big part of New York's future on defense. Miller had a goal and an assist in a 6-3 win over Philadelphia on Saturday. The New York Rangers and the NHL denounced the directing of racist slurs at K'Andre Miller during a Zoom video chat promoted by the pro team Friday. "Every team does their homework -- we're no different," Drury says. 1. "It's always kind of been my goal. Hes already an NHL-caliber skater. Many players leave home at younger ages for junior hockey in hopes of achieving NHL dreams or a college scholarship. As a freshman at Wisconsin in 2018-19, Miller had a spectacular season before injury cost him the last few weeks of the campaign. KAndre Miller drafted with mom by side a dream come true - YouTube 0:00 / 0:32 KAndre Miller drafted with mom by side a dream come true SPORTSNET 775K subscribers The communication arts major had a conversation with his academic advisor about it and is taking a few classes this semester that he hopes will help him learn some more of the ins and outs of doing charitable work. And he is a centerpiece in the Rangers' rebuild and attempt to reenter contender status over the next few years. [34] In a statement released on Twitter after the Q&A, Miller said that he had been the subject of similar racialized incidents throughout his hockey career and that he chose not to quit the sport out of love for it. You have come to the ESPN Africa edition, for other ESPN editions, click above. I just realize that not everyone has it as good as some of us. Now he's playing the position at a college known for training and churning out elite-level defensemen. The Hopkins, Minnesota, native had 22 points in 26 games and made the Big Ten's all-rookie team. [9], Newly-appointed Wisconsin head coach Tony Granato had voiced a desire to build the Badgers' 201819 season around their young defensemen, and Miller was partnered with fellow freshman Ty Emberson. 6 in both major men's college hockey polls. 6 in both major men's college hockey polls. What came next in the seats at the American Airlines Center in Dallas in June was another important part of the story of how Miller, now a University of Wisconsin freshman defenseman, got to the lofty heights he was then enjoying. I didn't have brothers or sisters -- it was just me and my mom.". He was a multisport athlete in high school, showcasing a particular talent in football in addition to hockey, and was mentored by former major league pitcher Rick Helling, who was his football coach and became a close family friend. He also played baseball alongside football and hockey. Defensively, the more and more he plays at high levels, like at the World Juniors and in college, he's getting better and better.". We had our slump, but I don't think anyone in here is remembering that right now. Amy is forty-eight. Top 25 under 25 . "Her motivation to even get me to this point pushed me every day to hopefully give back to her for all the things she sacrificed.". Just prior to the season, Miller was suspended for an unspecified violation of team rules, causing him to miss an intrasquad game. "Her motivation to even get me to this point pushed me every day to hopefully give back to her for all the things she sacrificed.". "I didn't feel like I was really ready or prepared for that next step yet," Miller says. [18] On March 16, 2020, Miller chose to end his college career after only two seasons by signing an entry-level contract with the Rangers. You play with good players, so try to get pucks for them, especially on the power play being net front. In a year and a half together, Barclay Goodrow has earned Gallant's trust by playing through pain and in any lineup spot that his coach asks. They may have been Granato's biggest wins since he returned to the program in 2016 after a long NHL coaching career. [37] Miller considers Helling a mentor.[36]. "I couldn't name one thing," Miller said when asked about his mother's influence. Miller was the 22nd overall pick in the NHL draft by the New York Rangers. K'Andre Miller is the son of Fairmont High School graduate Amy Sokoloski. Miller is the exceedingly proud son of Amy Sokoloski, who raised him as a single mom in Minnesota. NHL midseason report cards: From eight A's to two F's, Wyshynski's NHL midseason awards: The best and worst players, jerseys, teams and moments, NHL Power Rankings: Each team's best 2022-23 addition, 2023 NHL All-Star Weekend: Everything you need to know, Men's college hockey: Top teams, best players, Frozen Four picks, Lineup picks, matchups, start or sit advice for Wednesday, Expectations vs production: Disappointing fantasy hockey picks, Seth Jones rallies Blackhawks past Sabres 4-3 in overtime, Flyers rebound from worst loss of season, beat Ducks 5-2, Ranking the top 100 NHL prospects for 2019-20, Ranking all 31 NHL prospect pipelines: Why the Rangers are No. During his sophomore year of high school, he made the switch to defense, but it wasn't until his first year at the NTDP that Miller played an entire season as a blueliner. Defensively, the more and more he plays at high levels, like at the World Juniors and in college, he's getting better and better.". Strong support system has helped Wisconsin Badgers defenseman K'Andre Miller become a top hockey talent. Miller is a central part of that rebuild, just as he could be in the ongoing "trust the process" situation happening in Manhattan with the Rangers. 2023 NHL draft: Midseason prospect rankings, led by Connor Bedard, Habs' No. "We know he's in great hands, learning a lot every single day, not only on ice, but off ice.". K'Andre Miller has a laugh during practice. One time, Miller was preparing to head to Winnipeg, Manitoba, for a tournament Miller described as a "pretty big deal" in his hockey-playing life at that point. "My mom is one of the biggest inspirations in my life, probably will ever be in my life," Miller says. Pipeline rankings for all 31 teams My old high school coach, football coach actually, always used to say, Key, skys the limit. He was on the ice with Fox, the Rangers' best defenseman and Norris Trophy candidate, in what has become a preferred late-game pairing for head coach Gerard Gallant. He was picked with the 22nd overall selection in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. 22 overall, making him a key piece in the early stages of the team's accelerated rebuild. You've seen it the past few games, but I don't think it's new to us. The Rangers have been lining up with 24-year-old Ryan Lindgren, 22-year-old Miller and 21-year-old Zac Jones on the left side of their defense. Thats natural. Meanwhile, Dallas continued to advance with only three Rangers playing defense. Stay on current site or go to US version. Additionally, he joined Team USA for 34 United States Hockey League (USHL) games, during which he added an additional seven assists. The main lesson he said he has tried to impart is that, fair or not, his athletic skills and career track make Millers life different than what other teenagers experience. We've obviously gotten really close over the years and it's special a bond.". It wasnt that he didnt want to do it, Urick remembers. [2] Originally a forward on his youth hockey teams, Miller's role model was Mikko Koivu, longtime captain for the Minnesota Wild. Minnesota, and he was raised by single mother Amy Sokoloski in Hopkins. [17] Additionally, some defensive struggles pushed his plusminus down to 7. A lot of the time what the coach is telling you defensively isnt as fun. Undrafted team captain Peter Tischke is likely to have a pro career waiting for him after his senior season. Top 25 under 25 . But three days before it began, he broke both of his hockey sticks, which have become pretty expensive these days. Just 1:16 into the extra period, he completed the comeback with a backhanded finish that sent the MSG crowd into a frenzy. Then finally we started getting pucks below the goal line and getting some chances, but we caused a lot of our own (issues) tonight.". 1 overall pick Slafkovsky out 3 months, Kane's return helps Oilers take home 4th straight, Flyers' Provorov boycotts Pride night, cites religion, Sabres name COO as president Pegula recovers, Vegas' Lehner files for bankruptcy; $50M debt, Wild lock up Boldy with 7-year, $49M extension, Matthews returns, scores 21st in Maple Leafs' loss, NHL rookie rankings: New names crack the top 5. As the Blueshirts desperately fought to get one more shot off, Vincent Trocheck tapped the puck back to Miller. And Miller is showing he can be that type of player for the Blueshirts. And during that series, some of the improvement Miller has shown as more of a true defender was on display, as the Badgers collectively held the Bulldogs to just three goals over the two games. 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