K'Andre Miller

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 drafted 22nd overall by the Rangers in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, and played college ice hockey for the University of Wisconsin.

K'Andre Miller
Born (2000-01-21) January 21, 2000
Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Left
NHL team New York Rangers
NHL Draft 22nd overall, 2018
New York Rangers
Playing career 2021–present

Playing career

Miller switched from forward to defense while in high school.[1]

Miller was the only Minnesotan drafted in the first round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft when he was selected 22nd overall by the New York Rangers.[2] The Rangers, not expecting Miller to be available at that point in the draft, traded their 26th and 48th picks to the Ottawa Senators to move up to take him. Despite his high draft selection, Miller remained committed to playing for the University of Wisconsin for the 2018–19 season.[3]

Miller finished his rookie season with the Badgers gathering 22 points in 26 games.[4] He was named the Hockey Commissioners Association Rookie of the Month for the month of November after tying third amongst freshman in the nation.[5] He was again selected as Rookie of the Month for December.[6] After his freshman season concluded, Miller was named to the All-Big Ten Rookie Team[7] and deemed a finalist for Freshman of the Year.[4]

On March 16, 2020, the Rangers signed Miller to a three-year, entry-level contract.[8] During a Rangers' fan internet Zoom chat to discuss the signing, Miller was subjected to repeated anonymous racist epithets. The Rangers disabled the chat, condemned the racism and promised an investigation. The NHL also condemned the racism, as did the Wisconsin coach, the US Hockey coach, and fellow Rangers.[9][10] Miller subsequently addressed the struggle of dealing with this racist incident, as well as racism in hockey.[11]

Miller scored his first NHL goal on January 26, 2021 in a 3–2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.[12]

International play
Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
2019 Canada
World U18 Championships
2018 Russia

Miller was selected to represent Team USA at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championships (silver medal) and was an Alternate captain for the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[3]

Personal life

Miller was a child model who appeared in a Honda commercial with former NHL players Mike Richter, Neal Broten, and Pat LaFontaine. He played football in high school, where he was coached by former MLB pitcher Rick Helling, who Miller considers to be a mentor.[13][14][15]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
SeasonTeamLeague GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
2016–17U.S. National Development TeamUSHL 3407712 —————
2017–18U.S. National Development TeamUSHL 22412166 —————
2018–19University of WisconsinB1G 265172218 —————
2019–20University of WisconsinB1G 367111824 —————
NCAA totals 6212284042 —————

International
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2016 United States U17 5th 5 0 1 1 0
2018 United States WJC18 7 1 2 3 4
2019 United States WJC 6 0 1 1 0
2020 United States WJC 6th 5 0 2 2 2
Junior totals 23 1 6 7 6

References
  1. Morreale, Mike. "Miller taking center approach to defense". NHL.com. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  2. McLellan, Sarah (June 22, 2018). "K'Andre Miller is first Minnesotan taken, 22nd overall by Rangers". Star Tribune. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  3. "Rangers Select K'Andre Miller". NHL.com. June 22, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  4. "Miller tabbed finalist for Big Ten Freshman of the Year". uwbadgers.com. March 12, 2019. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  5. "Miller named HCA National Rookie of the Month". uwbadgers.com. November 1, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  6. "Miller named HCA National Rookie of the Month for December". uwbadgers.com. January 7, 2019. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  7. "Hockey Postseason Honors Announced". bigten.org. March 19, 2019. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  8. "Rangers Agree to Terms with Defenseman K'Andre Miller". NHL.com. March 16, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  9. "Ex-Minnetonka hockey star K'Andre Miller has NHL video chat hacked by racist". Star Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  10. Brehm, Mike (April 4, 2020). "New York Rangers investigating racial slurs that appeared on chat with prospect K'Andre Miller". USA Today. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  11. Stephenson, Colin (June 1, 2020). "Rangers prospect Miller weighs in on Floyd's death, racism". Newsday. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  12. "Rangers' K'Andre Miller: Pots first NHL goal". CBSSports.com. January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  13. Journal, Todd D. Milewski | Wisconsin State. "Strong support system has helped Wisconsin Badgers defenseman K'Andre Miller become a top hockey talent". madison.com. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  14. "K'Andre Miller's unique path to becoming a top Rangers blue-line prospect". ESPN.com. October 25, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  15. Wheeler, Scott. "Behind the scenes with the Wisconsin Badgers' future NHL..." The Athletic. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Vitali Kravtsov		 New York Rangers first round draft pick
2018		 Succeeded by
Nils Lundkvist


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