Kevin Miller is used to scoring. Either chipping in on an assist or finding the back of the net, he has been doing it since he was five years old growing up in New Jersey.
Looking for a new level of exposure, Miller attended the Pre Draft Combine in Chicago last summer. He was spotted by the North American Hockey League’s Soo Eagles during the event.
Making the move from the Eastern United States to the Mid West is not something that happens too often. But, Miller and his family felt it was necessary to make the move because they felt they were not being seen by higher level teams.
Keeping the Eagles informed about his progress, and point production on a regular basis throughout the first three months of the season, it became only a matter of time before the call came.
The Miller family knew that the Eagles would not be able to watch him as well, if he was playing in New York or New Jersey, and distance makes travel that much harder in the winter months. So they decided to make the move to the Minnesota Junior Hockey League. This move would prove critical for Miller.
The leading scorer on the Minnesota Junior Hockey Leagues, Central Wisconsin Saints, Miller has several Tier II teams from Canada and the NAHL watching him this season.
While Miller is on a point a night clip for the 2013-2014 season, the numbers do not tell the whole story.
A complete player, Miller plays on Power Play, and Penalty Kill. Relied on in critical situations, Miller has developed into a quiet leader who lets his play do the talking.
While some have said he is slightly undersized at 5″11″, Miller plays the game like he is 6’4″. Physical, and aggressive, he is not just a skilled forward that can put up points. He has backed up his toughness and aggressive physical play with three fighting major penalties this season.
With the Soo Eagles making changes at this point in the season, Miller is looking forward to his opportunity with the team.
