Rats Sign Bryan Miller

No link, just private knowledge. Bryan was amazing for BU this year (1st team HE, possible All American selection) and should add another NHL calibur prospect to NJs weak defensive depth if he makes a strong enough impression. If you have never seen him play think Brian Rafalski; solid defensivly with a good offensive touch (26 points in 39 games while playing injured the last month of the season - good for 4th on BU). Could be our 3rd pairing offensive defenceman and pp qb when the NHL resumes. He should be in the lineup tonight.

:handclap:

Awesome, Miller is a quality guy at both ends of the ice and is very versatile. Hes a Jersey boy too, from Wayne.

Thanks for the info; sounds like a pretty good signing! He is actually playing right now; wearing #32.

http://www.pointstreak.com/framed/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid=140251

here's his BU bio:
http://www.bu.edu/athletics/icehockey/bios/millerbio.html

Just wondering how strong he is on his feet. I know he plays all ituations but he has to be built like Rafalski to survive. Also wondering how fast he is.

Just wondering how strong he is on his feet. I know he plays all ituations but he has to be built like Rafalski to survive. Also wondering how fast he is.

Very Strong on his feet, but will use his great stick skills to knock the puck away before taking the body. While you should expect physical play from Miller, you also shouldnt expect him to shy away from contact. He is also not the fastest player but thats not to say he is slow ... just not the speedster some might expect a sub 6 foot defenceman to be. Lets just say that like Rafalski, he is fast enough to get the job done.

BTW, he was only asked to join the team early this morning and was hurting at the end of the playoffs, so i wouldnt expect much from him today.

is the signing of this guy just a river rat thing or a NJ thing but the rats have to do it because the NHL is on lock out mode

The Rats werent able to call up Phil Cole in time so they needed to sign Miller.

The Rats werent able to call up Phil Cole in time so they needed to sign Miller.

I do not think that is the case. You do not sign a player like miller to be a quick replacement...

Thats what the Rats announcer said...He could have been mistaken though.

He filled in for DeMarchi

Around this time there is usually a list of about a half-dozen UFA/ undrafted upperclassmen, that most teams are interested in. Last season I think the D from UMass Tom Pock signed for big $ from the rag$.
I haven't seen any names that are out there for '05? Obviously Miller was never drafted. I think you have to go through 3 drafts unselected [or is it two]before you can talk to anybody in your Jr or Sr year.
BU also lost Fr. Chris Bourque to QMJHL/Moncton. http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/mens_hockey/articles/2005/04/03/bourque_leaving_bu/

Does anyone know who Miller was paired with on defense in his first game?

At BU, his teammate and defensive partner was Jakabs Redlihs, Krisjanis' younger brother.

I want to say Allen, but I am second guessing myself on that because Kesa has been paired with him for a bit.

He played with Schultz I think. I heard both their names together alot on Sunday.