[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Hidden Gems, Vol. 17):

LW Ryan Miller (5'11",174lbs)
Portland (WHL): 50gp/ 16g/ 15a/ 31pts, -10, 48 PIM

Winger Ryan Miller (ranked # 118 NA Skaters) was taken 66th-overall in the 2022 WHL Draft by the Portland Winterhawks, who this season finished 12th out of 22 teams- but were 6th in goals-for, due to the talent they have at the top of their lineup. Miller is better than his numbers, and plays an up-tempo, pro-style two-way game, as a smallish, gritty winger with some bite. Despite his size, he wins more than his fair share of puck-battles through sheer will and compete alone, and one of his best traits is his overwhelming motor- he never gives up on a play, giving second, and third-efforts, and keeps his feet moving through contact. Another one of his best traits is is his dog-on-a-bone mentality, and he is a physical player with grit, who throws his weight around to dislodge pucks and wins inside position on larger players. He may be short in stature by NHL-standards, but he's a handful to deal with down-low, and plays a grinding game along the boards. He seems to always be in the thick of the play, and usually around the puck, showing solid awareness all over the ice, and a keen understanding of how to position himself advantageously.

Miller makes his presence felt in front of the net with his fierce battles for positioning, and by getting in opposing goalies' faces, blocking their sightlines and generally causing havoc. Most of his goals are scored in-tight, partly due to his shot, which isn't powerful enough to score from distance, or deceptive enough to fool goalies regularly. He's fearless, as well as inside-driven, and will occupy space in front of the net to pick up garbage, or cut inside for close-in shot opportunities. Though his stats don't seem to support it, he is known as a pass-first player, and shows plenty of signs of higher-end playmaking and vision; he can see through traffic and deliver cross-ice feeds, or connect with teammates through the crease. Most of the time, he relies too much on quick touches, and usually makes very basic plays, where he should be more patient to delay and better survey his options, or perhaps take more calculated risks to explore his abilities. He has solid IQ and hockey sense, employing good use of deception in his distribution, and his passing-game is considered to be an asset. His smarts shine through in his off-puck movement, in how he makes himself a constant playable option for passes, and supports the play in all three zones.

Miller may not be a burner, but he gets above-average straight-ahead speed on a long, fluid stride, with smooth edges to pivot instantaneously, spin off of checks, and make tight turns. His mobility is expanded by his unwavering effort in sprinting to loose pucks, launching himself at attackers in the defensive zone, and racing hard to intercept puck-carriers on the forecheck. He pushes extreme pace to overwhelm opponents, and keep them off-balance. Miller is impactful in the defensive-third, and very active with keen sense and awareness, as well as sound positioning. He is highly disruptive, and administers overwhelming pace and pressure- going from attacking the point one moment, to supporting his D down low the next. He shows a good attention to detail, with sharp anticipation to identify threats early, and lock them down proactively. In transition, he shows value with his passing-skill and awareness to stay connected to teammates through the neutral zone with quick, short-area feeds to send them over the line in both exits and entries. Right now, Miller looks more suited to bottom-six duty in the pros, with the potential for more if he can further develop his offensive game, which includes improving his shot and his release, and building some creativity in his passing game. The good news for any team that drafts him is that he's got a longer runway than most, as he is committed the U of Denver for the 2026-27 season. Look for him in later rounds.