Browsing: Miller

After more than a decade of playing hockey around the globe, Hannah Miller is back home.

Miller signed with the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s new Vancouver expansion team as a free agent in June in a move that has since spurred a number of “full-circle moments.”

The latest came last week when she helped coach an under-13 girls team in North Vancouver, B.C. The skills session took place at the same rink where she played as a kid.

“Itâ€s amazing,” Miller said of returning to her hometown. “Iâ€ve been playing kind of all over the place, overseas and in Toronto. So to come back and be in Vancouver and playing professionally, itâ€s a dream come true.

“I think it hasnâ€t really set in yet. I think thereâ€ll be a lot of emotions on that opening night in the (Pacific) Coliseum.â€

The 29-year-old forward was a standout for the PWHL’s Toronto Sceptres during the 2024-25 campaign, contributing 10 goals and 14 assists over 29 regular-season appearances in her second year with the team.

Choosing to leave was difficult, she said.

“I really enjoyed my time in Toronto. Loved the group there, loved the staff. They drafted me back in the inaugural season, so that means a lot to me,” Miller said.

“But to have the opportunity to come back to Vancouver, where I grew up, where my family is, it just kind of seemed like everything was falling in place and coming full circle. And I think it was an opportunity I just couldnâ€t pass up.â€

A love of hockey has always been part of Miller.

There was no PWHL to work toward when she was first learning the game, but growing up, she dreamt of playing college hockey and playing in the Olympics.

“As soon as I put the skates on and was playing, youâ€re not thinking about anything else,” she said. “I just loved every aspect of it. Loved the team, the camaraderie thatâ€s built there. I think itâ€s the greatest game on Earth.â€

Miller played at St. Lawrence University in Upstate New York, and recorded 123 points in 124 games.

She went on to join the KRS Vanke Rays in Shenzen, China, and helped the team to two Zhenskaya Hockey League titles, and played for awhile in Sweden’s women’s league.

Her time in China allowed Miller to play for the country at the 2022 Beijing Olympics where she scored the host country’s first goal of the Games.

Now, though, Miller wants to once again play for Canada, the country where she grew up and earned back-to-back U-18 women’s hockey championships in 2013 and 2014.

After a stellar run in PWHL play last year, Miller was named to Canada’s roster for the women’s world hockey championship in March. The International Ice Hockey Federation later ruled she was ineligible to play because of its transfer rules.

The athlete and Team Canada have asked the sport’s governing body to reinstate her eligibility for the national squad, and are still awaiting the IIHF’s decision.

“Itâ€s kind of in the back of my mind, I guess. I think this process … itâ€s taken longer than I anticipated, than I thought it was going to be,” Miller said.

While they wait, she continues to train with the Canadian contingent as the country prepares for another world championship in November, followed by the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics in February.

Miller went to training blocks in Calgary and Toronto this summer, and will join the team for another in Montreal before returning to Vancouver for PWHL training camp.

No matter what the IIHF decides, the camps are a special opportunity, she said.

“At the end of the day, having the opportunity to go to these camps, get the preparation, get the best-on-best in practice, in training every day, thereâ€s really nowhere Iâ€d rather be,” she said.

“Regardless of what happens, I think itâ€s great preparation for myself leading into the season. Itâ€s been a lot of fun so far to be part of that group and get to know those girls better. Itâ€s pretty special.â€

Some of the faces in the Canada camps are the same ones Miller will soon skate alongside with PWHL Vancouver, including former Sceptres teammate Sarah Nurse and Jenn Gardiner, who spent last season with the Montreal Victoire.

The talent on Vancouver’s new team is part of what motivated Miller to sign a three-year deal.

“Honestly, when the team was getting built after I had signed, I was really happy with what (general manager) Cara (Gardner Morey) was putting together,” she said. “Great hockey players. I think we have an incredible team. But also a really great group of people. So I think itâ€s going to be a really fun team to be a part of.â€

The group will come together for the first time in mid-November before Vancouver hosts fellow expansion side PWHL Seattle for their first-ever game on Nov. 21.

“I think weâ€re going to be a fast, highly offensive team thatâ€s really exciting to watch,” Miller said.

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  Jorge CastilloOct 12, 2025, 11:17 PM ET

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  ESPN baseball reporter. Covered the Washington Wizards from 2014 to 2016 and the Washington Nationals from 2016 to 2018 for The Washington Post before covering the Los Angeles Dodgers and MLB for the Los Angeles Times from 2018 to 2024.

TORONTO — Twenty-eight hours before they stole home-field advantage in the American League Championship Series with a 3-1 win against the Blue Jays on Sunday night in Toronto, the Seattle Mariners were stranded at home.

After surviving a strenuous 15-inning winner-take-all thriller vs. the Detroit Tigers on Friday night and celebrating into the wee hours, the Mariners were scheduled to leave their home ballpark for the airport at 10 a.m. PT on Saturday. Across the continent, in less than 36 hours, their first appearance in the ALCS in 24 years awaited.

But mechanical issues delayed their flight as a plane flew from Los Angeles to shuttle them to Toronto. For more than four hours, the Mariners waited at T-Mobile Park. Finally, at 2:15 p.m., the team began its journey. The Mariners touched down in Toronto at 10:15 p.m. They arrived at their hotel after 11. As the Mariners traveled, the Blue Jays, idle since Wednesday night, held a workout at Rogers Centre.

The Mariners took Game 1 anyway behind Bryce Miller’s six-inning gem on short rest, Cal Raleigh’s tying home run and more timely hitting from ALDS Game 5 standout Jorge Polanco.

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“We’ve talked about just how resilient these guys are,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “And tonight was one of those instances again.”

The difference in convenience was evident in the starting pitching matchup. Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman took the ball more than a week after shutting down the New York Yankees over 5â…” innings in Game 1 of the ALDS on Oct. 4. Miller took it on just three days’ rest after logging 4â…“ innings in Game 4 against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday in his postseason debut.

Early on, the imbalance, as expected, appeared to benefit Toronto. George Springer ambushed Miller and swatted his first pitch — a 97 mph fastball that barely clipped the outside corner — over the right-field wall for a leadoff home run. The ball traveled at 109.4 mph.

More loud contact ensued. After Nathan Lukes worked a 12-pitch walk — in the process fouling a pitch off his left knee that forced him to exit the game two innings later — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. cracked a 107.2 mph line drive. Two batters after that, Daulton Varsho crushed a 102.5 mph line drive. Both balls were caught to end the inning, but the Blue Jays, after scoring 23 runs in their two ALDS games at home, were seemingly revving for another outburst.

But one never surfaced as Miller limited the Blue Jays to one run on two hits over six innings, surpassing the four-inning best-case scenario Wilson had envisioned for him. Instead, Miller became the first pitcher since David Price in 2018 to log at least six innings and allow no more than one run in the postseason on three or fewer days’ rest.

“They didn’t tell me anything, any plan,” Miller said. “So I was going out there just letting it rip until they came out and got me.”

Miller retired 17 of the final 19 batters he faced, surrendering just a single in the second and a walk in the sixth. His fastball averaged 96.3 mph, the highest of his 76 career starts. He threw 27 pitches in the first inning and just 49 over the next five. It was just the second time Miller has logged six innings in a start this season, one that has included two stints on the injured list because of elbow inflammation and the largest ERA increase from last season (2.94) to this season (5.68) in the majors.

“I can’t say enough about Bryce,” said Matt Brash, one of three Mariners relievers to throw a perfect inning to close the game. “That was incredible from him.”

Gausman had his own trouble early, but the Mariners stranded two runners in the first inning. Gausman then rolled, retiring 15 straight batters until Raleigh stepped into the batter’s box for a third encounter. The AL MVP candidate, after singling and striking out in his first two at-bats, choked up with two strikes and two outs and golfed a splitter into the right-field seats to silence the sold-out crowd.

“I thought I was pitching pretty well, and last two guys I faced was a home run and a walk,” Gausman said. “So I’m not too happy about that.”

Hitters had previously been 0-for-15 with six strikeouts against Gausman’s splitter, his signature pitch. For Raleigh, the tying blast was his 12th home run in 27 career games, including the postseason, against the Blue Jays and his fourth career blast off Gausman.

“They didn’t tell me anything, any plan,” said Mariners starter Bryce Miller. “So I was going out there just letting it rip until they came out and got me.” Mark Blinch/Getty Images

“I was just trying to get bat on ball and really put something in play, maybe find a hole because I didn’t want to punch out again,” said Raleigh, who was booed from pregame introductions through his final plate appearance in the eighth inning. “I was able to put good wood on it. He’s a really tough pitcher.”

Gausman then walked Julio Rodriguez to coax Blue Jays manager John Schneider out of the dugout to replace his starter with left-hander Brendon Little. The move to the lefty prompted the blistering Polanco, a switch-hitter with an .888 OPS against lefties during the regular season, to bat right-handed.

The decision backfired. After a wild pitch allowed Rodríguez to take second base, Polanco, whose single in the 15th inning Friday kept Seattle’s season alive, lined a single to left field to give the Mariners the lead. Two innings later, Polanco doubled the margin with an RBI single to right field on a fastball from right-hander Seranthony Dominguez.

“He’s been unbelievable,” Raleigh said. “He’s been the heart and soul over this last month.”

The Blue Jays, meanwhile, finished the game 1-for-28 with three walks after Springer’s leadoff home run. Their final 10 batters went down in order. It was a gutsy performance from a drained Mariners group that turned to closer Andres Munoz to shut the door in the ninth inning. He finished the job at 10:52 p.m., less than 24 hours after the Mariners had settled into town. Game 2 awaits on Monday.

“This was just, again,” Wilson said, “a good win up and down.”

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The Seattle Mariners claimed a 3–1 victory on the road in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday.

Fresh off a 15-inning Game 5 victory over the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS on Friday, No. 2 seed Seattle returned to action against the top-seeded Blue Jays, who had several days off after defeating the New York Yankees 3–1 in their series last Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Cal Raleigh finished 2-of-4 at the plate with a solo home run, while Jorge Polanco added two RBI while. Randy Arozarena stole two bases and scored a run in the win.

With starters limited after Friday’s 15-inning game, Seattle ace Bryce Miller delivered a standout performance, setting the tone with a dominant outing. He struck out three over six innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run.

Fans took notice as Raleigh, Miller and the Mariners shined in their Game 1 victory on the road.

The Blue Jays energized the home crowd early as George Springer launched a leadoff home run on the first pitch he saw, giving the team an early spark.

The Mariners answered in the sixth inning with two runs—a 420-foot home run from Raleigh, followed by a Polanco single that brought in Julio Rodríguez to give Seattle a 2–1 lead.

It was déjà vu in the eighth inning as Polanco delivered another RBI single, set up by Arozarena’s two stolen bases, extending the Mariners’ lead to 3–1.

Game 2 of the ALCS is set for 5:08 p.m. ET on Monday from Toronto.

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SEATTLE — The Mariners made it official on Saturday: Bryce Miller will start the best-of-seven opener against the Blue Jays on Sunday.

“I’m fired up,” Miller said about getting the Game 1 assignment. “Yeah, I’m ready to go. Pitching in the playoffs is something you dream of, and just getting the opportunity to start us off and get us going early and set the tone is super meaningful.”

Bryan Woo is also expected to be on Seattle’s 26-man ALCS roster, according to sources, but will not be available for Game 1 in any capacity. The club wants to go through another consultation with Woo on Saturday to see how he recovered after throwing an up-and-down bullpen session on Friday, as he continues to work back from pectoral inflammation.

Itâ€s likely that the Mariners will want to see another throwing session of some sort before injecting Woo in a playoff game. He hasn’t pitched in a game since exiting his Sept. 19 start in Houston, and he was not on their ALDS roster.

“We’re continuing to assess his availability,” manager Dan Wilson said when asked about Woo. “He seems to be rebounding pretty well. He’s coming back. Right now, we’re continuing to weigh what that timetable might be and when he’ll be available.”

Seattleâ€s 26-man ALCS roster is not due until Sunday morning, and the Mariners were not expected to touch down in Toronto until the 10 p.m. ET range after a late departure on Saturday.

“My last outing, I felt really good,” Miller said. “I think that was the best my stuff has been in a while. So yeah, I’m excited and looking forward to the opportunity.”

“We’re excited to hand him the ball,” Wilson said of his starter. “We’ll take him as far as he can go.”

Miller surrendered four hits and zero walks among the 16 Tigers batters he faced before being relieved for Gabe Speier in Game 4’s major pivot point. Speier wound up allowing Millerâ€s inherited runner to score, then another run, then the go-ahead run an inning later on a homer to Riley Greene.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — K’Andre Miller didn’t need preseason game action to get a fast start with his new Carolina Hurricanes teammates.

The defenseman twice found the net in Carolina’s 6-3 season-opening win against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night, showing a glimpse of the potential that enticed the Hurricanes to acquire him from the New York Rangers and sign him to a long-term deal.

“It was amazing, I loved it,” Miller said.

The 6-foot-5, 210-pound Miller spent much of preseason wearing a yellow noncontact jersey in what coach Rod Brind’Amour called a precautionary move before he shed that to ramp up in the final week or so of camp. He was in a pairing with Jalen Chatfield, working 19-plus minutes of ice time with a team-high 31 shifts.

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“I thought he was exceptional,” Brind’Amour said. “Take the goals away, even — just impactful.

The Hurricanes saw the 25-year-old former first-round pick as an ideal fit for their aggressive system with his size and skating ability. He had shown flashes of his potential with the Metropolitan Division foe Rangers, including posting 17 goals and 56 assists for 73 points over the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.

But his play fell off last season as he went from building block to expendable in a rough finish to his time in New York. So the Hurricanes made the trade on the first day of free agency, then gave him an eight-year contract paying an average annual value of $7.5 million through the 2032-33 season.

Carolina has won a series in seven straight postseasons, including reaching the Eastern Conference final twice in the past three seasons before falling to two-time reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida each time.

The Hurricanes looked to Miller and the signing of free agent Nikolaj Ehlers as part of their next steps to playing for the Cup. And they are looking for Miller in particular to bolster a system that relies on an aggressive forecheck to pressure opponents, get control of the puck and keep it to maintain pressure in the offensive zone.

He just decided to bring the offense to his Carolina debut, too, on a night when the Hurricanes repeatedly rang the post against Jacob Markstrom.

His first goal was unexpected. He took a puck from William Carrier along the boards and flicked it toward Markstrom from the slot. The puck appeared to deflect off Devils forward Nico Hischier, then slip past Markstrom as a hopper for a 2-1 lead midway through the second.

His third-period goal was far different: a powerful blast from near the left circle that sent the puck slamming off Markstrom’s glove, skittering off his arm and behind him into the net.

“Two quite different goals there,” said forward Seth Jarvis, who had the go-ahead deflection late in the third followed by an empty-netter from beyond the blue line. “But you could tell from the first time he stepped on the ice in practice at training camp that he’s a special player. And he’s still young, so I can only imagine what level he’s going to get to.”

Miller’s second goal sent the Hurricanes home crowd into a roar, with Miller kicking up his leg and yelling in celebration then motioning for more noise from the crowd before heading to the bench.

“I think that was one of the biggest things, just making a good first impression,” Miller said of his debut. “I think the guys have done an amazing job of getting me caught up to speed. And this adjustment period has been honestly very simple. Very easy, and all the guys are pushing me in the right direction.”

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Move over, Aroldis Chapman. Mason Miller is the new No. 1 flamethrower in recorded postseason history.

That marked the fastest pitch thrown in the postseason since pitch tracking began in 2008.

Millerâ€s 104.5 mph heater passed Chapmanâ€s previous mark, which was a 104.2 mph fastball during Game 3 of the 2010 NL Division Series when he was a rookie on the Reds.

But Miller didn’t just top Chapman, he did it on a strikeout. Miller’s 104.5 mph K is the first 104-plus mph postseason strikeout of the pitch-tracking era.

Including the strikeout of Kelly, Miller whiffed the first eight batters he faced in the 2025 postseason. And if you go back to the end of the regular season? Miller struck out 11 batters in a row before hitting Michael Busch on the lower leg with two outs in the eighth, ending the streak.

Miller’s streak of eight straight postseason K’s tied Josh Hader in 2022 for the most consecutive strikeouts in the playoffs at any point, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. And it’s the longest streak to start a player’s postseason career.

The previous fastest postseason K on record was a 103.7 mph strikeout by Chapman against Jorge Polanco in the 2017 American League Wild Card Game, when he was with the Yankees.

Fastest postseason K’s
Pitch-tracking era (since 2008)

1. Mason Miller: 104.5 mph, Game 2 of 2025 NL Wild Card Series
2. Aroldis Chapman: 103.7 mph, 2017 AL Wild Card Game
3. Mason Miller: 103.3 mph, Game 2 of 2025 NL Wild Card Series
4. (tied) Aroldis Chapman: 103.2 mph, Game 1 of 2016 NLCS
4. (tied) Aroldis Chapman: 103.2 mph, Game 2 of 2016 NLDS
6. Aroldis Chapman: 103.1 mph, Game 4 of 2016 NLDS
7. Aroldis Chapman: 103.0 mph, 2017 AL Wild Card Game
8. Mason Miller: 102.9 mph, Game 1 of 2025 NL Wild Card Series

Miller then added a 103.3 mph strikeout of Dansby Swanson an inning later, giving him two of the top five fastest postseason K’s since at least 2008.

This also came a day after Miller reached 102.9 mph on a strikeout of Seiya Suzuki in Tuesday’s Game 1 of the Wild Card Series. That was already the fastest postseason strikeout by anyone other than Chapman.

If anyone was going to break Chapman’s postseason velo record, it was going to be Miller. Miller led the Majors in average fastball velocity this season at 101.2 mph, and he’d already broken the 104 mph threshold five times in the regular season before Wednesday’s game — including a 104.1 mph strikeout of the Braves’ Sean Murphy on July 10.

But his 104.5 mph strikeout of Kelly was the fastest pitch of Miller’s MLB career.

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Thereâ€s a fun little paradox to Kâ€Andre Millerâ€s move from the New York Rangers to the Carolina Hurricanes.

On one level, the big defenseman is going from The City That Never Sleeps – and the hyper-bustling borough of Manhattan – to the take-your-time, low-and-slow South. But on another level, heâ€s joining a Hurricanes team known for playing the game at such a high pace that it leaves most other teams strewn in their wake.

On both fronts, Miller is happy with his new home and team. “We always had great battles when I was on the other side in New York,†he said. “They have such a fast team and get up and down the ice in a fast motion. They do everything as a team. Itâ€s a fun group to watch, and theyâ€ve had a lot of success recently, so Iâ€m excited.â€

Miller also joked that heâ€s happy he no longer has to worry about getting hemmed in his own zone when playing against the Canes – heâ€ll now be a part of the relentless attack that has made Carolina one of the Eastern Conferenceâ€s best squads.

Now, the Hurricanes have yet to break through to another Stanley Cup final, but an effective summer by GM Eric Tulsky has Carolina once again threatening to make a run for the franchiseâ€s second championship. Along with Miller on defense, Tulsky also brought in one of the top forwards available this summer when he inked erstwhile Winnipeg Jets left winger Nikolaj Ehlers to a six-year contract.

In Miller, Tulsky sees a player who will slot right in with what Carolina wants to do on the ice. “We think heâ€s a great fit for us,†Tulsky said. “Heâ€s a really powerful skater who can close out effectively and take away time and space. The aggressive way we play will suit him very well. Heâ€s also very strong in front of the net, which is also helpful and important. His skating and recovery speed will be effective for us. When we want guys to get up the ice, they need to be able to get back, too.â€

Miller came to Carolina via trade on July 1, with Tulsky sending prospect defenseman Scott Morrow, a 2026 second-round pick and a conditional first-round pick in either â€26 or ‘27 to the Rangers. Miller, an RFA, then signed an eight-year, $60-million ($7.5-million AAV) deal with Carolina. Tulsky said talks between the two teams had gone on for a while. And based on all the rumblings that had surrounded the Rangers throughout the season, thatâ€s not surprising. Before Miller, New York traded away Kaapo Kakko, who the team had selected second overall back in 2019, and Rangers lifer Chris Kreider. “There was a lot of noise throughout the season,†Miller said. “It was definitely in the back of my head that something could happen. I loved my time in New York, but Iâ€m excited for whatâ€s to come in Carolina.â€

The Hurricanes Used A Unique Strategy To Acquire K’Andre Miller
In order to acquire Kâ€Andre Miller, the Carolina Hurricanes used a unique strategy.

And while Raleigh is hardly a backwater – that area of North Carolina is part of ‘The Triangle,†a research-and-tech hub that has grown leaps and bounds in the past 20 years – there will be cultural differences from New York City, one of the most famous metropolises in the world. And thatâ€s just fine with Miller. “Iâ€m super excited for that aspect,†he said. “The style of living being a bit of a slower pace, Iâ€m really going to like that. Being from Minnesota, I think it will be comparable.â€

The biscuits and barbecue will certainly be better down there, even if the bagel quality takes a step back. But truly, Miller is there for the hockey. Playing for coach Rod Brindâ€Amour is another plus when it comes to the Hurricanes. “Iâ€ve heard nothing but great things about Rod,†Miller said. “I canâ€t wait to get to know him and talk hockey. A number of guys reached out to me and said, ‘Youâ€re really lucky to be in this position to have that coach and a team like Carolina supporting you.†So, Iâ€m super excited for the whole thing.â€

Playing for Carolina isnâ€t for everyone. Famously, Mikko Rantanen lasted only 13 games with the Canes, and the team does play a very specific, structured system that requires maximum buy-in. But the payoff is obvious. Since Brindâ€Amour took over, Carolina has been a beast, reaching the conference final three times in his seven seasons as coach.

The problem recently has been pushing through to that Stanley Cup final. Carolinaâ€s offense has dried up completely at the worst possible times in the post-season, and while itâ€s no shame to get shut down by the Florida Panthers, at some point, you need to score goals against good teams. Millerâ€s ability to make plays through the neutral zone and get pucks up to forwards will help that cause. And, at 25, heâ€s just starting to hit his prime as an NHL blueliner. Letâ€s not forget, the player heâ€s essentially replacing on Carolinaâ€s back end is Brent Burns, who turned 40 last season.

However, still starring on the Hurricanes†blueline is Jaccob Slavin, a two-time Lady Byng Trophy winner and a player who will serve as a potential partner and certainly a mentor. “Heâ€s definitely one of the guys Iâ€ve tried to model my game after the past couple of years,†Miller said. “Heâ€s obviously a generational player on this team, and itâ€s going to be great sharing ideas and sharing the ice with him.â€

So, itâ€s a remix of a lineup for the Canes heading into 2025-26, but itâ€s also one of the strongest units the franchise has put together in recent years. Is it enough to finally break through in the Eastern Conference? Slow and steady wins the race – even if Miller and Carolina will play fast in order to do so.

This article appeared in our 2025 Meet the New Guys issue. The cover story for this issue features the newest Vegas Golden Knight, Mitch Marner, as he looks to shine in the desert. We also include features on new Jets forward Jonathan Toews, Canadiens D-man Noah Dobson and more. In addition, we take a look at the top ‘new guys’ from each NHL division.

You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.

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