From from NHL.com.
[jbutton color="white" link="http://www.snyrangersblog.com/category/jt-miller/jt-miller-ncaa-ohl/" size="xsmall"]CLICK HERE[/jbutton] for more on Miller’s decision to choose Plymouth.
Update: 12:49PM: Miller checks in from Team USA camp at Blueshirts United.
Chris Johnston tweets that 2011 first round pick JT Miller has signed on to play with the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL.
Miller signed an entry-level deal with the Rangers yesterday.
He said that he is excited to get to Plymouth and described himself as “a big forward who likes to use my speed to my advantage. I try to get pucks to the net and be in front of the net as much as possible.”
Miller can play with Plymouth this season, and then with the Whale next season, if the Rangers think that he is ready. His contract will slide and won’t take any years off as long as he doesn’t play 10 games in the NHL.
Miller was originally a fifth round pick of the Whalers in the 2009 OHL draft.
Update: 11:03AM: The Rangers have sent through a press release.
Original Post:The Rangers have announced that they have signed 2011 first round pick JT Miller to an entry level contract.
Miller is eligible to play for Hartford this season.
He is 6-1, 198 and had 11 goals and 26 assists for the US National team last season.
CLICK HERE to see all key posts about Miller.
This certainly knocks out any chance he had of playing at North Dakota this season. Plymouth is an option, but so is playing with the Whale since he wasn’t drafted out of the CHL. This is a pretty interesting move.
Miller was the 15th overall pick this past June.
To read more of this story, click here
At Hockey Buzz, Julie Robenhymer writes that choosing the OHL over the North Dakota and the NCAA’s may not be the best thing for JT Miller’s development.
She calls Miller a “heck of a player” and says that the OHL may not be challenging enough for him.
Robenhymer cites North Dakota’s program and pedigree for breeding NHL players as things that could have benefited Miller.
Ryan Bourque said that the junior hockey route is preferable because of it’s similarity to the pro game.
She mentions that Miller could sign with the Rangers and play in Hartford because he wasn’t drafted from the CHL into the NHL, so if that is possible, he could end up in Hartford this season. I think that is unlikely though and that he will play in Plymouth. If Miller isn’t challenged in Plymouth this season, and that would hopefully mean that he dominates, he will play in Hartford next season and start his pro hockey career then.
Update: 2:30PM:
Coming Down The Pipe has confirmed with Miller that he will play with Plymouth next season.
Original Post:
Kevin Allen tweets that JT Miller is expected to play with Plymouth of the OHL next season.
Miller was expected to play with North Dakota.
Wow. That is a bit of a shocker. The Rangers prefer the CHL option for their prospects and may have been able to convince him to change his mind.
Miller has said that he would like to turn pro after one season at North Dakota.
For more on JT Miller, CLICK HERE.
“One year, that’s been a goal for me for a while now,” Miller said. “That would be outstanding.”
Miller to Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants
Gare Joyce wrote that Miller may be ready after one year at North Dakota.
Miller is the kind of player who can grow and play his game in the bottom six when he is ready to turn pro. In time he will be a second line player that will be a key for the Rangers on both ends of the ice, but he can develop by playing in checking roles.
More on Miller throughout the morning.
