Q&A: Gophers hockey commit Joe Miller on bypassing senior year at Blake

Class of 2021 forward Joe Miller talked with KSTP Sports about his decision to bypass his senior year at The Blake School and play for Chicago in the United States Hockey League.

***Click the video box above to watch our chat with Miller***

Miller averaged more than a goal a game for Blake last winter as a junior, and helped the Bears earn third place in the Class AA state tournament.

The Minneapolis native, who was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier in this month, is a Gophers commitment. He told KSTP that joining the Gophers in two years is a more likely path than the 2021-2022 season.

With the Minnesota State High School League undecided on a state tournament and planning on playing a reduced schedule, Miller has decided to stay with the Steel for this season. His team will play a 54-game schedule, about triple what he would’ve played with Blake.

Knowing he has to get stronger and work on aspects of his game, staying in the USHL is best for his long-term development, in his opinion.