By Joshua Boyd / USPHLPremier.com
He is a man of many Miles – and a majority them have been traveled since 2019 with the Hampton Roads Whalers.
Evan Miles joined the Whalers originally out of Mesquite, Texas, and was a standout for both the USPHL Elite and USPHL Premier Whalers between 2019 and 2022. He returned to the Whalers’ Premier team for a very productive 2023-24 campaign after also playing in the NCDC with the Utica Jr. Comets.
From here, it’s time to travel yet again – this time later this summer to his new college hockey home of SUNY-Morrisville. The Captain of this year’s Whalers team and veteran of 159 total NCDC, USPHL Premier and USPHL Elite
“Morrisville has exactly what I’m looking to study so I can get a job after my hockey career, and it provides great facilities,” said Miles. “Coach Kevin Krogol and Coach Ryan Pascarella made me feel right at home on my visit and started creating a bond I’m excited to build as I grow at Morrisville. While trust and your relationship is important, Morrisville also offers a rink on campus with ice time to train during free time and access to multiple tools to help player development which is a big key for my goal to play pro after college hockey.”
From 2019 through 2021, Miles was a staple of the Elite Whalers, putting up 49 points in 78 combined regular season and playoff games. He also started out the 2021-22 season with the Whalers, scoring 10 points in 10 games before earning a Tier II promotion. In 2022-23 with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights and Utica Jr. Comets, he played in a combined 29 NCDC games, contributing eight points.
This year, he returned to the Whalers and provided nearly a point-per-game pace with 35 points in 38 games.
“My first two years on the Whalers Elite team were my favorite years as a Whaler. The coaching staff (Kody Rodriguez, Brad Jones and Pat Cavanagh) really welcomed me with open arms and coached me on every little detail to help me succeed.
“I love being at the rink and being able to work on my game so what really separated the whalers from everyone else was the Ice time I was able to get, whether it was with skating early morning with current Norfolk Admiral and former Hampton Roads whaler Brandon Osmundson or skating three times a day just to work on my shot and hands, I was on that ice,” said Miles. “I really thank Pat Cavanagh and his staff at Chilled Ponds for that access to help grow my game.”
He is also happy to be able to sharpen his game for college in the NCDC, and being able to have impacted all three USPHL junior levels.
“I really enjoyed my time in the NCDC. It was a great experience. The competition was intense and the speed was fast,” said Miles. “There were a lot of really skilled players and great coaching and a lot of opportunity to get better.”
He’ll continue to take every opportunity to get better as he gets ready to compete in the always challenging State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC). He spoke to exactly what he’s working on this spring and summer.
“Definitely putting more pucks in the net, but also being more of an overall 200 foot player, focusing on the little details and being able to have poise and control the puck in tight areas – just anything I can better myself at so I can help my team succeed,” he added.
The USPHL congratulates Evan Miles, his family, the Hampton Roads Whalers and SUNY-Morrisville for his commitment.
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