Miller is the exceedingly proud son of Amy Sokoloski, who raised him as a single mom in Minnesota. Miller was reinstated for the beginning of the regular season and returned to action the following weekend for a meeting with Boston College. 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. Pipeline rankings for all 31 teams Miller was born on January 21, 2000, in Saint Paul, Minnesota,[1] and he was raised by single mother Amy Sokoloski in Hopkins. The incident was condemned by the NHL, the Rangers staff, USA Hockey, and several of Miller's New York teammates. 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. The Wild lead 2-1 He's a critical piece of one of college hockey's most talented teams. 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 2023 www.lohud.com. 1, Supplemental Privacy Policy for Singapore. "We know that we're capable of playing like this. The Hopkins, Minnesota, native had 22 points in 26 games and made the Big Ten's all-rookie team. Helling would later coach Miller when he played football at Minnetonka High School. A former baseball player who was initially linked with Miller as a youth football coach was one of the key people in the support structure around a player whos expected to be one of the top newcomers in college hockey. 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. Physically, he's loaded with a ton of tools, size, skating. NEW YORK - Before he even stepped on the Madison Square Garden ice Thursday, K'Andre Miller received a text from his mother, Amy Sokoloski. K'Andre Miller has "tools that people only dream to have," said Chris Drury, assistant general manager of the New York Rangers, who selected him 22nd overall in the first round of the 2018 NHL draft. You play with good players, so try to get pucks for them, especially on the power play being net front. 55.6K followers. 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. [35], Miller attended the 2018 NHL draft with his mother, former MLB pitcher Rick Helling, and Helling's daughter Jordyn. Badgers men's hockey sophomore K'Andre Miller signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the New York Rangers that starts next season, capfriendly.com reported on Friday. "We had some good shifts (and) some tougher ones," Lafrenire said." Goodrow signaled for Zibanejad to replace him, then suddenly changed his mind as he reached for a puck that zoomed by him. He only volunteered to switch positions while playing for Minnetonka High School, which needed an extra defenseman. "I didn't feel like I was really ready or prepared for that next step yet," Miller says. "It didn't really look like he knew where the puck was, but by the time I think he realized where it was, it was already in the back of the net. Oettinger is a pretty big goalie. Former NHL standout and current UW coach Tony Granato has been trying to reshape a program that has fallen away from the college hockey elite, having not appeared in the NCAA tournament since 2014. K'Andre Miller's unique path to becoming a top Rangers blue-line prospect, Arizona Coyotes debut new 'Desert Night' jerseys. K'Andre Miller (born January 21, 2000) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 22nd overall, by the Rangers in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft . [5] The following year, he was promoted to the NTDP's under-18 team, with whom he scored nine goals and 29 points in 58 regular season and tournament games. They took Miller with their second of three first-round picks in the 2018 NHL draft, at No. 160 points for McDavid? Five players in the group have been selected in the NHL draft over the last two years. They have also lived in Burnsville, MN and Saint Paul, MN. 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. "I thought we did a good job overall there in the D zone," Gallant said. "Obviously, with these coaches [at Wisconsin], you're not going to find that anywhere else. Thursday's goal, which crossed the goal line with 0.9 seconds remaining in regulation, extended his points streak to five straight games. It wasnt that he didnt want to do it, Urick remembers. The constants between all of them and Miller, Osiecki said, were skating ability, a pure skill level and, critically, a vision of the game. He had a couple deflections near the net. Miller is part of a defensive corps thats likely to be the featured element of the 2018-19 program. And it's why the decision to return for his sophomore season was pretty easy for Miller, despite some speculation that he would leave for a pro contract. Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. The Rangers committed 23 turnovers 18 of which were considered giveaways which ended many of their possessions prematurely. Catch NHL games streaming live every night (and on replay) this season on ESPN+. It will be crushing. It was the path Miller felt was the best way to achieve his ultimate goal. Seguin skated into the vacant lane and received a pass from Mason Marchment for an easy finish, ending 37:53 of scoreless hockey for both sides. [23] Playing on the second defensive pair with Trouba, Miller quickly became a staple in the Rangers roster, logging over 20 minutes of ice time per game and contributing on both the power play and penalty kill units. Miller has put himself in a position to succeed on the ice. And his ability to adapt and make rapid strides at a difficult position only enhanced how he was viewed as a prospect. A lot of the time what the coach is telling you defensively isnt as fun. 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. 22 overall, making him a key piece in the early stages of the team's accelerated rebuild. Defensively, the more and more he plays at high levels, like at the World Juniors and in college, he's getting better and better.". But interestingly, none of that came up when asked what a successful career would look like for him. Miller had a goal and an assist in a 6-3 win over Philadelphia on Saturday. Like Miller, Helling had to navigate the growth years in the sporting public eye. "The biggest thing, I think, is having an impact on other people," Miller says of his career ahead. 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. Undrafted team captain Peter Tischke is likely to have a pro career waiting for him after his senior season. Stay on current site or go to US version. Miller is already taking steps in that direction while in school. Amy asked her manager at work for extra hours so she could replace the broken sticks. [26] He finished the season with five goals and 12 points in 53 games while averaging 21 minutes and 7 seconds of ice time per game and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team for 2021. With the Badgers, its only just beginning for Miller. "A first-round pick like K'Andre -- you don't just want good players but good people. But we just kept throwing him out there and throwing him out there, and he got better and he started to be more confident.. That part has required a bit of a learning curve, and there have been a few bumps along the way. It was one of the days that every young hockey player dreams of, and the mentor wanted the mentee to realize how proud of himself he should be. He spent two years there at a critical time in his development as a defenseman. Now a sophomore at Wisconsin and a blue-chip prospect for an Original Six franchise, his biggest dream is finally within reach. Playing on the team's under-17 squad during the 201617 minor ice hockey season, he recorded three goals and 14 assists for 17 points in 54 regular season and tournament games. Madison native and former Badgers defenseman Rob Andringa is scheduled to do color commentary for eight broadcasts this season, less than a year after a colon cancer diagnosis. I'm looking forward to hopefully impacting a lot of young kids that don't think they can make it at this level or get out of whatever they're going through. They had a few odd-man rushes, but it wasn't real bad. "We didn't come from the richest family. "The talent is there," Adam Fox said. [13] He was also named to the 2019 All-Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Like Miller, Helling grew up as an athletically gifted child of a single mother. "I was hoping one of them was able to get it to me. Top 25 under 25 . 55.6k Followers, 341 Following, 19 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from K'Andre Miller (@kandre.miller) kandre.miller. A curious coincidence, to be sure, but far from the only thing Miller and Helling have had in common. Zibanejad quickly retreated, but Goodrow headed toward the bench again and called him back on the ice. They may have been Granato's biggest wins since he returned to the program in 2016 after a long NHL coaching career. You've seen it the past few games, but I don't think it's new to us. But interestingly, none of that came up when asked what a successful career would look like for him. K'Andre Miller (born January 21, 2000) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Miller was still learning the position when the Rangers called his name, but he seemed to be an especially quick study. Now a sophomore at Wisconsin and a blue-chip prospect for an Original Six franchise, his biggest dream is finally within reach. The Rangers (24-12-7) were on the verge of being shutout for the third time this season when the stunning play materialized. NEW YORK - Before he even stepped on the Madison Square Garden ice Thursday, K'Andre Miller received a text from his mother, Amy Sokoloski. "When I looked back up again when I got the puck the second time, I saw Oettinger was just kind of standing there," Miller said. And Miller is showing he can be that type of player for the Blueshirts. Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. "I couldn't name one thing," Miller said when asked about his mother's influence. A tall right-hander, Helling played 12 years in the major leagues, winning 20 games with Texas in 1998 before finishing his career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2005 and 2006. 22. He creates a lot of offense on line rushes by jumping into the rush. 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. Latest NHL draft buzz: Who is rising after world juniors? And it was kind of outside his comfort zone, and he was so hard on himself when he would make mistakes that first month or so. K'Andre Miller said it took months to "find the words to express my frustration and anger" over being subjected to racist slurs in an online chat. We just know that these games are important. He'd score his first two goals of the season the following day against Merrimack. You have reached ESPN's Australian edition. Some of the blame falls on Lindgren, as well, after the defenseman got over aggressive while jockeying for position at the front of the Rangers' net late in the second period. But interestingly, none of that came up when asked what a successful career would look like for him. I didn't have brothers or sisters -- it was just me and my mom.". We've obviously gotten really close over the years and it's special a bond.". "We know he's in great hands, learning a lot every single day, not only on ice, but off ice.". 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. 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. "He's grown a lot as a player since a lot of us saw him before drafting him," says Chris Drury, the Rangers' assistant general manager. 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. [10] One of those seven points was the Badgers' first goal of the season, which broke open scoring on a 30 win over the Boston College Eagles on October 12, 2018. If Miller continues to play like this, he shouldn't have any issue attaining the contract he's dreaming of. But with Miller and the rest of the talent on the Badgers' roster, that might not be until after the NCAA Frozen Four in April. The way the New York Rangers ' first-round pick is progressing He'd score his first two goals of the season the following day against Merrimack. And he is a centerpiece in the Rangers' rebuild and attempt to reenter contender status over the next few years. 1. [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. A converted forward, he has a big 6-foot-4, 211-pound frame, raw athleticism and tremendous skating ability. But Miller was a forward because, as Urick tells it, he wanted to score goals., And as a little kid, I was the same way, Urick said. His four goals and 12 assists in 22 USHL games, meanwhile, gave Miller an average of 0.73 points per game, the fifth-highest among USHL defensemen that season. 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. The Rangers may not have to wait much longer to see what Miller can bring to the table at the next level. So I knew I wanted to develop a little bit more on and off the ice with these guys. "Obviously, [Rangers director of player personnel] Gordie [Clark] and our staff of amateur scouts had a good read on him. As the Rangers look to continue building up their franchise, they know they need special types of players. A poorly timed line change led to Dallas' only goal and nearly cost the Blueshirts the game. Here they are with the s. Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and raised in Hopkins, Miller began ice skating at the age of two. 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. She would work extra hours to provide for my hockey tournaments and hockey equipment, Miller said. NHLI via Getty Images. Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski take you around the NHL with the latest news, big questions and special guests every episode. It's always been a big part of me.". 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. [14], Following his successful freshman campaign, Miller entered the 201920 NCAA season as one of only two unanimous selections to the preseason All-Big Ten First Team. He was selected in the first round, 22nd overall, by the Rangers in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Helling employed a run-heavy offense and didnt want to waste Millers talent in a little-used wide receiver position. For a brief period, Miller was a child model appearing in Target ads and was even cast in a Honda commercial that featured former Rangers Mike Richter and Pat LaFontaine. Miller's time at Wisconsin has shown him what it's like to be part of a rebuild, too. His mothers name is Amy Sokoloski. We kept turning it over in those areas. Credit Panarin and Mika Zibanejad for a relentless effort in the lead-up to the goal, with both scratching and clawing to throw shots at Oettinger and keep the possession alive. ", Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Now he's playing the position at a college known for training and churning out elite-level defensemen. The 2018-19 college hockey season is a 190-day journey that officially starts on Saturday and ends in Buffalo, New York, on April 13. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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. In 62 NCAA appearances, he had a total of 40 points. 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. 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. Then finally we started getting pucks below the goal line and getting some chances, but we caused a lot of our own (issues) tonight.". My old high school coach, football coach actually, always used to say, Key, skys the limit. [3] In addition to playing hockey, Miller was a child actor and model for Target and Honda, and he played American football under coach, former Major League Baseball pitcher, and family friend Rick Helling. "We turned a lot of pucks over, and usually those east-west plays in the offensive zone, they just collapsed in the middle and they took advantage of some of those opportunities," Gallant said. The star quality was always evident. He just took what skates they gave him and he went about his business like it didnt faze him one bit, Drury said. Teams were divided into North, West, Central, and East, and played only the other teams within their division. It was something he shared with his mom, and Sokoloski made sacrifices to keep her only child in the game. But three days before it began, he broke both of his hockey sticks, which have become pretty expensive these days. Catch NHL games streaming live every night (and on replay) this season on ESPN+. Miller entered this season as one of two unanimous selections to the preseason All-Big Ten first team. Pipeline rankings for all 31 teams Its just cool to see a kid like that, with so much talent, be so grounded and be so humble, said freshman defenseman Ty Emberson, Millers roommate this year and teammate for the last two seasons with the NTDP. 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. Kid from Minnesota, small town, single mom. Always busy.. But for the second time in three games, an uncharacteristic mistake came in a critical moment. 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