Colin Miller is emerging as a top prospect for the Los Angeles Kings as evidenced by the accolades he has been accumulating this season while playing for the Kings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs.  The Monarchs recently clinched first place overall in the AHL standings, and open their first round Calder Cup playoff series Thursday evening against Portland.  Miller’s steady improvement can be attributed, in part, to the fact he is a student of the game, demonstrating maturity, work ethic, and leadership abilities, while taking full advantage of the opportunities that have come his way. 

Like many young hockey players growing up in Northern Ontario who dream of one day playing Junior hockey for their hometown team, Miller was fortunate to fully realize the experience when he was signed by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) ahead of the 2010-11 season.  He enjoyed playing three seasons with the team, and was named Captain during his final year.

However, it was during his first year with the Greyhounds when Miller was the beneficiary of some fortunate circumstances.  He put up solid numbers during his rookie season with 22 points in 66 games, but more importantly, his play caught the eye of some NHL scouts. 

“The LA Kings had been scouting some other players on the team, and I guess they noticed me,” explained Miller.  “They ended up inviting me to the Kings’ development camp after the season was over.”

Miller attended the Kings’ development camp, and although he would be passed over in the NHL Entry Draft that summer, he had impressed upon the LA brass enough where scouts would keep a close watch on him throughout the following season.  And as Miller’s offensive output increased during his sophomore year with the Greyhounds, so did the number of NHL teams who had him on their radar.   

“I thought a few different NHL teams were going to draft me based on some of the conversations I had had with them, but I ended up being drafted by the Kings who said they had their eye on me all year.”

The Kings would ask Miller to once again attend their development camp following the season, and afterwards, informed Miller he would be invited to their main training camp prior to the start of the season.  It was here where Miller, being an astute observer, watched how the likes of Kings stalwarts Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Jake Muzzin, Anze Kopitar, and others who, the previous season had won the Stanley Cup, carried themselves both on and off the ice. 

“Those guys are true professionals and very committed to hockey and to the team.  Just watching them up close on the ice, and learning what they do off the ice, and how they carry themselves was huge for my development.  I just tried to fit in and mimic their style.”

Prior to the start of the season, the Kings assigned Miller back to the Greyhounds for his third and final year of junior.  However, armed with the experience of attending an NHL camp and the subsequent confidence after being drafted, Miller, who was named team Captain, enjoyed his most productive season, averaging over a point per game and finishing the season with a +/- of +13.  At the conclusion of the year, he was the recipient of the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy as the OHL team captain that best exemplifies leadership both on and off the ice.  Perhaps instilling the lessons learned first hand from observing his Kings peers.

After an impressive NHL training camp ahead of the 2013-14 season, Miller was rewarded with a three-year NHL Entry Level contract with the Kings and was assigned to the Manchester Monarchs, where he would help the team to a 48-19-3-6 regular season record, finishing atop the Eastern Conference standings.  Miller aptly handled the transition from Junior to the professional ranks, posting a respectable 17 points in 65 games during his first full season in the AHL.

This season, Miller’s play along with his offensive output has improved, and he was subsequently rewarded for his efforts mid-season by being selected to play in the 2015 AHL All-Star Classic. “It was a lot of fun and a huge honor to be named to the team.  There were lots of Manchester players on the team (Jean-Francois Berube and Jordan Weal, along with Head Coach Mike Stothers) so it was great to be there with them.  It was cool just getting the chance to meet guys you play against and to interact with them in a different light.”

Miller would take full advantage of the opportunity to demonstrate his robust skill set.  During the All-Star Classic Skills Competition, Miller made history by not only setting the record for hardest shot in the 20-year history of the Skills Competition (at 105.5 mph), but also won the Fastest Skater contest.

“The Skills competition was a lot of fun for me and I’m very happy with how the night went down.  Overall, it was a really fun weekend in Utica and great to share the experience with two of my Manchester teammates.”

Watch Colin Miller fire the hardest shot in AHL Skills Competition history

As Miller and his Monarchs teammates returned from the AHL All-Star break, the Kings had assigned NHL veteran Mike Richards to Manchester.  Although Richards’ much publicized assignment to the Monarchs wasn’t under ideal circumstances, Miller was able to tap into Richards’ years of experience and learn some intangibles he brought to the team.   

“Mike was great, and worked really hard during his time here.  He’s a true leader and it was cool for myself just to be around him, and learn something new from him every day.  It wasn’t the best of circumstances for him, but for us to have the opportunity to learn from him was pretty cool.”

The Monarchs also feature other natural leaders such as Vince Loverde, who was elected by his teammates to serve as their Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) Player Representative, and whose role is to help keep players informed about what their union does for them. 

“Having a great Player Rep like Vince Loverde definitely helps keep us all informed as to what is going on in the game, and we’re able to read up on what’s happening through the PHPA  Players’ Only website and mobile app.  I haven’t personally had too much interaction with the PHPA, but we have a great team meeting with PHPA staff at the beginning of each year who provide a ton of information on programs that players should definitely take advantage of.”

On January 29, 2015 the AHL announced that five NHL teams would be relocating their AHL affiliates to California beginning next season to form a western (Pacific) division, so those AHL teams could be situated in closer proximity to their NHL parent clubs.  The Kings were one of those five teams, who announced that their AHL affiliate would be leaving Manchester and relocating to Ontario, California next season, a move that Miller says is bittersweet for the players.

“We heard rumors about the potential relocation starting in the summer, and during our team meeting with the PHPA, they told us there was a chance it could happen. Hockey is still growing in California, and the players generally seem excited about the transition.  That’s not to say we won’t miss Manchester.  I am glad they are getting an ECHL franchise next year as it’s a great hockey market with passionate fans.”

Although it will be a busy off-season for the Kings and their minor-league affiliates, Miller tries to find a balance during the summer months between unwinding and improving his game.  “I enjoy spending time on the boat and fishing during the summer. I didn’t really do anything different during last off-season.  I shoot a lot of pucks.  During the season I’m pretty focused on hockey, but like watching Netflix to help unwind.”

His routine appears to be working as this season Miller has more than doubled his offensive production with 52 points in 70 games.  He was also recently named to the 2014-15 AHL Second All-Star team as part of the League’s season ending awards.

“I feel more comfortable and confident in my abilities with this being my second year in the AHL.  I have had more opportunity to play.  I’m also fortunate to be surrounded by lots of good players on the team.”

And whereas most players are eager to delve right in to the NHL as soon as possible, fact is that nearly 90% of current NHL players first developed in the AHL prior to advancing to the NHL.

“Everyone wants to play at the highest level, and so do I.  But I fully understand that it’s a process, and know it’s beneficial to develop my skills in the American League, especially as a defenseman, which will hopefully translate to a long career in the NHL.”

With the AHL Calder Cup playoffs set to get underway, Miller and his Monarchs teammates have high expectations after finishing atop the AHL standings with 109 points (the next closest team was Utica at 103 points), although cognizant of the team’s early first round exit during last year’s playoffs at the hands of the Norfolk Admirals. 

“This time of year gets more exciting.  We’re definitely using last year’s playoff experience as a learning point.  If we can stay injury free and stick to our game plan we hope to take a good run at the Calder Cup.”

The future of the LA Kings looks bright with a host of promising young stars developing in the AHL.  And with the likes of Colin Miller leading the way, Monarchs players hope to seize the opportunity and Reign supreme with a Calder Cup Championship for their supportive Manchester faithful before embarking west, whether it be to Ontario or in Los Angeles on a full-time basis.