New York Rangers Prospects: J.T. Miller Review
As announced on August 1st, prospect guru Russ Cohen will be giving us some insight on some of the New York Rangers top prospects and draft picks this month. For those of you who don't know Cohen is an author http://www.amazon.com/Russ-
J.T. Miller, Good Pick or Safe Pick? By Russ Cohen
When J.T. Miller was drafted by the New York Rangers back in June, he was taken 15th overall and some players drafted after him certainly possess better offensive skills like Buffalo's Joel Armia, Montreal's Nathan Beaulieu (an offensive defenseman), and Chicago's Mark McNeill to name a few.
"I was definitely a little bit shocked," said Miller. "I only had one meeting with them so I guess I wasn't really expecting anything."
Miller is a 6-1, 200 pound left winger who clearly has what it takes to make it to the NHL - - he has the moxy and he's a good two-way player already. With that said is it a good move to take a guy who may only be a third liner with that pick or should the team have shot higher, taking a player with a much higher ceiling?
He played for the NTDP which plays a lot of games in the USHL and because they play for USA Hockey he got to play with elite players with access to elite trainers. He is a very hard worker who has a great work ethic on and off the ice and he's a "character" guy.
"I think I'm a pretty competitive kid. I always want to compete and I'm pretty hard to play against. That might be my best attribute," he said confidently.
He performed well in the last U-18 tournament and the fact that he is going to play for the very solid, Plymouth Whalers are both pluses. He's also making a bid to be a member of this year's U-20 World Junior Championship team. If he makes it that would give him some more valuable experience that will stick with him for all of his playing days.
There is something to be said about a player who works hard and can score "dirty goals". The Rangers know that at worst Miller is a third liner and at best a second liner, but most people feel that he has the makeup to play in the National Hockey League someday. That time is years away and right now he is taking all the right steps to improve as a player. With a little luck fans should get to see him playing at the new and improved MSG in the future.
Check out J.T. right after he was drafted
http://www.youtube.com/user/CardCornerClub#p/u/5/XaIpXBiR7dE
Russ Cohen is an author http://www.amazon.com/Russ-
