NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE
Veteran Miller tasting success with Coulee Region By Matt Mackinder
Miller played minor hockey in his home state for I
t’s becoming more prevalent to find Florida-born players on North American Hockey League (NAHL)
rosters and with the Coulee Region Chill, three play- ers from the Sunshine State call the Wisconsin-based team home. Along with David Ripple and Eric Drapluk, Tommy Miller is experiencing success with Coulee Region after being trained and brought up playing hockey in Florida. Now in his second season with the Chill, the 19-year-old forward came into this year more relaxed and knowing what to expect from coach Garrett Strot and from the league overall. “It’s definitely been a much smoother season,” said the Miami native. “I knew exactly what I had to do to see more ice and be utilized in an important role. There is so much less guess work in what to do or how to treat various situations. The systems have been in place now for a while, so they’re ingrained in my head and it’s more about going out there and performing.” Miller has also noticed a different mindset on the
ice from a team standpoint. “There has been a lot of improvement over the
past few months,” Miller said. “There is a noticeable energy in the locker room and we are seeing some good things happening as a result.”
the Coral Springs Coyotes (now the Florida Jr. Pan- thers), South Florida Golden Wolves and the Florida Jr. Everblades. It was during these years that he said the game really became a passion for Miller and much of the credit goes to his father for getting him on skates for the first time. “As soon as I could walk, he was looking for a sport that would let a three-year-old play,” remem- bered Miller. “The Florida Panthers were new to town and really made an effort to reach out to the commu- nity to promote the sport and consequently, I entered one of those outreach programs and stuck with it. “After my father, one coach in particular that made an impact with me was Brett Strot (Garrett’s brother). He taught all of his players to think of the game in terms of a primarily mental process.” Miller played for Brett Strot with the Jr. Everblades
Bantam AAA team and also for part of a season with the Jacksonville Ice Dogs 16U AAA outfit. Playing for Brett is how Miller was noticed by the Chill. “The two always discussed me as a possibility
growing up and last season I was fortunate enough to get a spot on the team,” explained Miller. “Playing in the NAHL has taught me how hard reaching the Division I college hockey level is and how to handle the adversity that comes along with a long schedule. “Of course, any guy coming into his second year
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is almost required to take on a role of the bigger brother. Bringing along the rookies this year has been relatively easily because they bring a lot of energy and excitement every night and the veterans don’t really need to patrol or push them too much.” Being around Ripple and Drapluk has made this season even better for Miller. “Our relationship is like that of brothers,” said
Miller. “It’s a dream to be able to play great hockey with guys you’ve played with and against growing up. Naturally, playing in the Midwest there’s a lot of culture shock, so it’s nice to have those guys there going through the same thing.”
Miami native Tommy Miller is one of three Florida natives with the Coulee Region Chill and has taken on an added leadership role this season. Photo/ NAHL
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