J.T. Miller

J.T. Miller (born Jonathan Tanner Miller on March 14, 1993) is an American professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL).

He was selected by the Rangers in the first round (15th overall) at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Amateur
J.T. began 2009–10 with the US NTDP of the United States Hockey League (USHL). After two seasons playing in the program, he was then selected in the first round (15th overall) at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers.

For the 2011–12 season, he transitioned to major junior ice hockey, joining the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

Towards latter stages of the season, he then joined the Connecticut Whale, the Rangers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, for their run in the 2012 Calder Cup playoffs where he registered one assist in eight playoff games.

Professional
In J.T.'s second game playing for the Rangers, he scored his first career NHL goal on February 7, 2013, as a Ranger at the 1:29 mark of the first period against Evgeni Nabokov of the Islanders. He would score again in the 2nd period.

After the 2012–13 Whale season and they were eliminated from the 2012 Calder Cup playoffs, he was added to the Rangers' 2013 playoff roster.

J.T. wore #47 during the 2012-13 season, but for 2013-14 switched to wearing #10, which had been worn by Marian Gaborik the previous season.

He split time between the Rangers and the Wolf Pack during the 2013-14 season, but did not play with the Rangers during their run to the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals.

J.T. finally secured a full-time roster spot with the Rangers during the 2014-15 season, putting up 10 goals and 13 assists (23 points) in 58 games.

He had a breakout season in 2015-16, scoring 22 goals and 21 assists (43 points), at times finding himself on the Rangers top line with Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello-Aasen.

After the season, J.T. signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract extension with the Rangers.

International Play
J.T. represented the United States junior team at the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he played in six games, scoring two goals and two assists.

He was also selected to represent the United States at the 2013 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he led the team with seven assists and tied for the team lead with nine points, winning a gold medal in the process.

He represented Team North America (age 23 and under team) in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Personal Life
J.T. grew up in a residential area in East Palestine, Ohio, located blocks away from the East Palestine Ohio Elementary, Middle and High Schools, attending all three (albeit only for the sophomore year of the latter).

He began playing ice hockey at a young age and also participated in other organized athletics, including baseball and football.

J.T. played for several ice hockey teams from the age of five through 12 before ending up with the Pittsburgh Hornets from age 12 to age 16, as at the time his family was living in the Pittsburgh suburb of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.

In 2009, he moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan to participate in USA Hockey's two-year National Team Development Program (US NTDP).