Yesterday
it was reported initially by Kevin Allen of
USA Today and then confirmed by Coming
Down The Pipe that New York Rangers 2011 first round pick Jonathan ‘J.T.’
Miller will back out on his commitment to play at the University of North
Dakota next season in order to play for the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario
Hockey League.
This
was always seen as a possibility since he was drafted, but the initial reports
were that he was still going to attend UND next year. There is no telling now whether this is the
right move for Miller’s development, but it clearly speaks to his urgency to
turn professional as quickly as possible. Miller has said that he wants to turn
professional in a year and he must have determined that playing in the OHL
gives him the best chance to do so. In
recent years the CHL has been seen as the faster route to the NHL, but it is tough
to argue with the history of player development that has gone on at the
University of North Dakota.
