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. That was impressive to see. He was primarily a forward, modeling his style of play after Mikko Koivu, but switched positions when Minnetonka High School needed another defenseman. 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. "Obviously, with these coaches [at Wisconsin], you're not going to find that anywhere else. 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. We just know that these games are important. Miller is the exceedingly proud son of Amy Sokoloski, who raised him as a single mom in Minnesota. And his ability to adapt and make rapid strides at a difficult position only enhanced how he was viewed as a prospect. 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. "I think the biggest thing would just be that she loves me and she's proud of me and she's there even there, even though she's not there. At the time he was shooting those tennis balls, he still thought he was a forward. "A first-round pick like K'Andre -- you don't just want good players but good people. "We know he's in great hands, learning a lot every single day, not only on ice, but off ice.". [31] The following year, Miller served as an alternate captain for Team USA and logged the highest number of minutes of any American defenseman, but after losing 10 to Finland in the quarterfinals, the United States failed to medal at the WJC for the first time in five years. 341 following. 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 a central part of that rebuild, just as he could be in the ongoing "trust the process" situation happening in Manhattan with the Rangers. Miller entered this season as one of two unanimous selections to the preseason All-Big Ten first team. I love the way Lindy plays, but when you're down a goal, there's no reason why not to put (Miller) out there.". Miller has put himself in a position to succeed on the ice. The Hopkins, Minnesota, native had 22 points in 26 games and made the Big Ten's all-rookie team. Strong support system has helped Wisconsin Badgers defenseman K'Andre Miller become a top hockey talent. Realize how special this is., When we had that conversation, it really put into perspective what Ive worked (for), working hard every day, trying to get to that goal of one day being drafted in the NHL, he said. "A first-round pick like K'Andre -- you don't just want good players but good people. And his ability to adapt and make rapid strides at a difficult position only enhanced how he was viewed as a prospect. "My mom is one of the biggest inspirations in my life, probably will ever be in my life," Miller says. I thought our guys gutted it out and played hard against a real good team.". Add in coachability. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. Minnesota, and he was raised by single mother Amy Sokoloski in Hopkins. He's willingly sacrificed his body, done the dirty work and never complained about his role. Amy is forty-eight. Listen here . He became the 4th defenseman in Rangers franchise history for the "latest game-tying goals", joining Brian Leetch (1998), Darren Turcotte (1992), and Doug Robinson (1965). 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. Miller had a goal and an assist in a 6-3 win over Philadelphia on Saturday. We've obviously gotten really close over the years and it's special a bond.". You've seen it the past few games, but I don't think it's new to us. 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. [2] He began ice skating at the age of two under the guidance of his uncle, and took up ice hockey shortly afterwards. A poorly timed line change led to Dallas' only goal and nearly cost the Blueshirts the game. 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. The Rangers hope thats the case. [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 kept turning it over in those areas. And Miller is showing he can be that type of player for the Blueshirts. 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. 55.6k Followers, 341 Following, 19 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from K'Andre Miller (@kandre.miller) kandre.miller. K'Andre Miller's unique path to becoming a top Rangers blue-line prospect, Arizona Coyotes debut new 'Desert Night' jerseys. Click here for the upcoming schedule and to learn how to subscribe. 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. Bold predictions for the second half of the NHL season: No Kane trade? 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. Thursday's goal, which crossed the goal line with 0.9 seconds remaining in regulation, extended his points streak to five straight games. 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. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he did not join the team until the 202021 season. [7] Just prior to the draft, the Rangers had sent their 26th and 48th overall picks to the Ottawa Senators to trade up for No. 6 in both major men's college hockey polls. They have also lived in Burnsville, MN and Saint Paul, MN. 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. 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. [19] At the 2019 tournament, Miller received limited ice time as he attempted to play through an illness that swept through the team, but he had one assist and a +1 rating through six games, and although Team USA lost to Finland 32 in the championship match, Miller earned another silver medal. Defensively, the more and more he plays at high levels, like at the World Juniors and in college, he's getting better and better.". 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. Just prior to the season, Miller was suspended for an unspecified violation of team rules, causing him to miss an intrasquad game. They had a few odd-man rushes, but it wasn't real bad. Miller has put himself in a position to succeed on the ice. 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. They may have been Granato's biggest wins since he returned to the program in 2016 after a long NHL coaching career. "The talent is there," Adam Fox said. 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. He was selected in the first round, 22nd overall, by the Miller is already taking steps in that direction while in school. He had only been playing defense full time for the previous two seasons when he was drafted. [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 have come to the ESPN Africa edition, for other ESPN editions, click above. Miller left Wisconsin after two seasons to sign a contract with the Rangers. [17] These pandemic disruptions left it unclear if Miller, who was already joining an unusually young defensive corps, would begin the 202021 season with the Rangers, or if he would need an extra year of development in Hartford. Amys current address is 14201 Thornwood Str, Riverview, MI 48193-7823. Like Miller, Helling grew up as an athletically gifted child of a single mother. Latest NHL draft buzz: Who is rising after world juniors? 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. I still, to this day, think he could have played college football if he wanted to, Helling said. 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. Select this result to view Amy Sokoloski's phone number, address, and more. "I didn't feel like I was really ready or prepared for that next step yet," Miller says. [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. [27], Miller began the 202122 season in a sophomore slump, with only one goal, one assist, and a 4 rating through the first 13 games, and he was removed from the penalty kill unit after struggling to stop goals. 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