I never wanted to play D because you wanted to be the guy scoring goals. Miller is the exceedingly proud son of Amy Sokoloski, who raised him as a single mom in Minnesota. K'Andre Miller speaks with a reporter after a scrimmage during Rangers Prospect Camp at Madison Square Garden Training Center in Greenburgh, N.Y. on June 27, 2018. Credit: They jumped 11 spots in one poll and joined the ranking altogether in the other after sweeping the two-time defending national champion Minnesota Duluth in Madison over the Oct. 18-19 weekend. [35], Miller attended the 2018 NHL draft with his mother, former MLB pitcher Rick Helling, and Helling's daughter Jordyn. 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. "A first-round pick like K'Andre -- you don't just want good players but good people. 55.6K followers. Strong support system has helped Wisconsin Badgers defenseman K'Andre Miller become a top hockey talent. He doesnt like to fail, Urick said. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. You try to keep it simple. Youve got to get pucks in the corners and stuff like that. Amy is related to Timothy Richard Sokoloski and Viona Ranae Sokoloski as well as 3 additional people. "The biggest thing, I think, is having an impact on other people," Miller says of his career ahead. We kept turning it over in those areas. 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. You have permission to edit this article. Undrafted team captain Peter Tischke is likely to have a pro career waiting for him after his senior season. "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. Just prior to the season, Miller was suspended for an unspecified violation of team rules, causing him to miss an intrasquad game. Add in coachability. A converted forward, he has a big 6-foot-4, 211-pound frame, raw athleticism and tremendous skating ability. They asked him to be more physical and block more shots. [4], After registering five goals and 11 assists during his second season with Minnetonka, Miller left his high school to join the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP). I didn't have brothers or sisters -- it was just me and my mom.". The star quality was always evident. "We know he's in great hands, learning a lot every single day, not only on ice, but off ice.". They took Miller with their second of three first-round picks in the 2018 NHL draft, at No. And his ability to adapt and make rapid strides at a difficult position only enhanced how he was viewed as a prospect. The progress in becoming a high-level defenseman, Appert said, came from Millers coachability and willingness to adapt even when the assignments werent glamorous. He had only been playing defense full time for the previous two seasons when he was drafted. It was just a quick shot on net and the boys did a great job of screening and getting the puck back and giving us one more chance. With four teams in the NCAA tournament and three in the Frozen Four, the Big Ten Conference at last showed last season it can be a power leagu. 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. Just prior to the season, Miller was suspended for an unspecified violation of team rules, causing him to miss an intrasquad game. 22 overall, making him a key piece in the early stages of the team's accelerated rebuild. The star quality was always evident. "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. 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. [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. K'Andre Miller Miller is already taking steps in that direction while in school. "When I left for the national program, it got hard knowing that she was all by herself at home, trying to watch me succeed," Miller recalls. I love the way Lindy plays, but when you're down a goal, there's no reason why not to put (Miller) out there.". He turned to his left and got in a hug with young Jordyn Helling, who was missing a youth lacrosse tournament back home in Minnesota to be there to support Miller, a hockey tutor and friend. K'Andre Miller, left, and Rick Helling share more than both having been selected 22nd overall in a draft by a team called the Rangers. They have also lived in Burnsville, MN and Saint Paul, MN. 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. Catch NHL games streaming live every night (and on replay) this season on ESPN+. Always watched ESPN every night, every day, he said. Pipeline rankings for all 31 teams She worked hard to allow her only child to achieve his dreams, and her example has stuck with Miller and drives him. [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. Hockey forces you to grow up sooner in a lot of cases. K'Andre Miller's unique path to becoming a top Rangers blue-line prospect, Arizona Coyotes debut new 'Desert Night' jerseys. He creates a lot of offense on line rushes by jumping into the rush. Miller is the exceedingly proud son of Amy Sokoloski, who raised him as a single mom in Minnesota. 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. Watch as Tara Sloan and the 22nd pick KAndre Miller talk about experiencing the 2018 NHL Draft with his mother by his side. They may have been Granato's biggest wins since he returned to the program in 2016 after a long NHL coaching career. 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. 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. "I didn't feel like I was really ready or prepared for that next step yet," Miller says. He learned to take ownership of other things besides just scoring goals and looking at other ways that he could help the team, and he really liked doing that.. Always busy.. And he is a centerpiece in the Rangers' rebuild and attempt to reenter contender status over the next few years. 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. Add in humility. And Casey didnt have that great a game, and KAndre felt that pride of shutting him down a little bit. K'Andre Miller's unique path to becoming a top Rangers blue-line prospect, Arizona Coyotes debut new 'Desert Night' jerseys. Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski take you around the NHL with the latest news, big questions and special guests every episode. So I knew I wanted to develop a little bit more on and off the ice with these guys. With alumni that include Hockey Hall of Famer Chris Chelios and current NHL standouts Ryan Suter and Ryan McDonagh, Wisconsin is essentially "Defenseman U." All rights reserved. Top 100 NHL prospects He'd score his first two goals of the season the following day against Merrimack. You have reached ESPN's Australian edition. Thursday's goal, which crossed the goal line with 0.9 seconds remaining in regulation, extended his points streak to five straight games. 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. I didn't have brothers or sisters -- it was just me and my mom.". "The biggest thing, I think, is having an impact on other people," Miller says of his career ahead. 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. Having him in my life was huge.. Growing up, I always went to him if I had any questions. The Wild lead 2-1 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. He'd score his first two goals of the season the following day against Merrimack. Now a sophomore at Wisconsin and a blue-chip prospect for an Original Six franchise, his biggest dream is finally within reach. 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. Miller is the exceedingly proud son of Amy Sokoloski, who raised him as a single mom in Minnesota. With 15 underclassmen expected to be in the lineup, coach Tony Granato and his staff are putting their stamp on the program. Miller was reinstated for the beginning of the regular season and returned to action the following weekend for a meeting with Boston College. Now a sophomore at Wisconsin and a blue-chip prospect for an Original Six franchise, his biggest dream is finally within reach. 22 overall, making him a key piece in the early stages of the team's accelerated rebuild. [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. 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. He broke his stick on Tyler Seguin's back and was called for roughing, handing the Stars their first power play of the evening. So I knew I wanted to develop a little bit more on and off the ice with these guys. He is close with his mother. 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. After the murder of George Floyd, he voiced his support for the Black Lives Matter movement. 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 is already taking steps in that direction while in school. His mothers name is Amy Sokoloski. "If I didn't have that, her willingness to do whatever she could to see me succeed, I wouldn't have been able to do this," he says. Listen here . He'd score his first two goals of the season the following day against Merrimack. There's a lot of things to like. 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. 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. It's always been a big part of me.". "A first-round pick like K'Andre -- you don't just want good players but good people. I liked the way he played. Select this result to view Amy Sokoloski's phone number, address, and more. 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. 160 points for McDavid? Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. [37] Miller considers Helling a mentor.[36]. Miller entered this season as one of two unanimous selections to the preseason All-Big Ten first team. 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. [11][12] Although his season came to a premature end after suffering a leg injury during a February 9 game against the OSU Buckeyes, Miller finished the season with five goals, 22 points, and a +7 rating, and he was a finalist for Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Year. The Hopkins, Minnesota, native had 22 points in 26 games and made the Big Ten's all-rookie team. [22] His first goal came four days later, when he pushed one past Linus Ullmark in a 32 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. "We know he's in great hands, learning a lot every single day, not only on ice, but off ice.". "There wasnt much going on, really," Gallant said. At the time he was shooting those tennis balls, he still thought he was a forward. ^ Milewski, Todd D. (January 8, 2019). "Wisconsin Badgers' weary K'Andre Miller sees World Juniors experience as steppingstone for 2020 tournament". Wisconsin State Journal. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Amy Sokoloski let her only child, K'Andre Miller, come to the #NTDP because she knew it would help him reach his NHL dream. They may have been Granato's biggest wins since he returned to the program in 2016 after a long NHL coaching career. Hes almost like my father figure. It's always been a big part of me.". 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. Now he's playing the position at a college known for training and churning out elite-level defensemen. That, he said, is a direct result of Miller's surging play. 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). The allure of working with a coaching staff like the Badgers have was strong, Miller said. "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.". The Rangers committed 23 turnovers 18 of which were considered giveaways which ended many of their possessions prematurely. Defensively, the more and more he plays at high levels, like at the World Juniors and in college, he's getting better and better.". 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. Later, after scoring the most [2] Originally a forward on his youth hockey teams, Miller's role model was Mikko Koivu, longtime captain for the Minnesota Wild. "It's another example of college life and trying to learn, manage time, manage expectations, and we think that will be good for him for when he eventually turns pro," Drury says of the prospect's early-season discipline. We've obviously gotten really close over the years and it's special a bond.". Pipeline rankings for all 31 teams You play with good players, so try to get pucks for them, especially on the power play being net front. Sokoloski, who raised him as a single mother, is at the top of that list. 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. Miller was reinstated for the beginning of the regular season and returned to action the following weekend for a meeting with Boston College. 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. Miller is already taking steps in that direction while in school. Miller's time at Wisconsin has shown him what it's like to be part of a rebuild, too. [6], Coming off of his stint with the NTDP, Miller was the first Minnesota native taken by a National Hockey League (NHL) team in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, going in the first round, 22nd overall, to the New York Rangers. 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. During a game against the Dallas Stars on January 12, 2023, Miller scored the tying goal with only 1 second remaining in the third period. 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. "We remember it, but it's certainly a distant memory, it feels like, from here," Fox said. Streak to five straight games he creates a lot of offense on line rushes by jumping into the.. 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