First off, apologies for being tardy doing my write-up for UNO Hockey’s latest recruit. When the season is in full swing, news items on MavPuck.com fly in so fast it is hard to keep up.
Sioux City Musketeer forward Matt Miller is the first commit of the new year for the University of Nebraska at Omaha Hockey program.
The Leo, Ind., native had previously committed to Michigan State University, but changes within the Spartan program led Miller to seek a D-I opportunity elsewhere.
Miller turned his search for a new school into a source of motivation this season in the USHL.
“For sure, it motivated me,” Miller told Sioux City Director of Media Jake Debo on musketeershockey.com. “I was determined. It became my goal, and I was fighting for a chance to play hockey for the future, so I think it helped.”
Miller apparently took his time before committing to UNO. He told musketeershockey.com that the university’s modern campus was one of many factors he found appealing. “It’s a good size school, great hockey program, great community that rallies around the hockey team, great business school, great staff that I felt like I could trust and really believed in me. They also play in a great league, and it’s great competition every night.”
Maverick defenseman Nate Knoepke is a former teammate of Miller.
Miller (as of this writing) is ranked fifth on the team in goals (9), sixth in assists (10), and sixth on the team in total points (19).
Those 19 points rank him 89th overall in the USHL in point production.
He has played in 31 games this season. This is Miller’s third season with the Musketeers. His point production has improved each season he’s played in the USHL.
Miller was ranked 81st among North American skaters in the 2017 NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings. Prior to joining the Musketeers, he had a brief stint with the USNTDP.
Here’s an insightful profile on Miller from 2015 that Fort Wayne’s WANE 15 News produced (he was being drafted by the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints at the time):
The Elite Prospects site lists Miller as part of UNO’s 2019 class. I would expect to see him sign a NLI with the team during the next signing period (which begins in April). He will be 20 when he hits the ice for the Mavericks next fall.
The wing should bring some experience to UNO’s roster when he arrives in Omaha. He is an assistant captain for the Musketeers this season. He seems like a motivated player with a point to prove. UNO will need players with that sort of grit, determination, and heart.
Miller also brings solid size at 6’ 3” and 197 lbs. That will go a long way during the grind of NCHC play in future seasons.
In the Nov. 13 episode of the “Musketeer Coach’s Show,” host Curtis Anderson discussed various facets of hockey with Miller — including his penchant for scoring “greasy/grimey” goals down low.
“I just try to get to areas where goals are scored,” said Miller. “That’s in front of the goalie’s eyes. It’s off to the side of the net, where you can be an outlet pass for a side slot. It’s driving the net hard, stopping in front. So, always looking for a tip — always trying to get your shot off quick.”
Miller sounds like another recruit who has a solid hockey I.Q. and strong leadership ability. These are traits we’ve seen Gabinet & Co. focus on with the latest recruiting class. That game intelligence could serve the Mavericks well — and lead to future success.
I’m looking forward to watching Miller as a Maverick.
People know my fondness for the old CCHA days when UNO played in a conference with the likes of Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. During those years, we occasionally plucked a few recruits from those schools (including Bryan Marshall, Brandon Scero, and Scott Parse).
Like recruits of days gone by, it’s nice that Miller found his way to Omaha.
>> For all our news updates, stay tuned to mavpuck.com/news
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