St. Cloud Norsemen blueliner Kyle Miller has been named the NAHL Central Division Star of the Week.

Leading defensemen by a mile this past weekend was the San Jose native as Miller played an integral role for the Norsemen against the Austin Bruins. There was only one goal during the series that Miller did not contribute to.

Starting on Friday night, St. Cloud played from behind during the whole contest. The Bruins registered three goals in the first period and then went on to tally three more in the second frame. In both periods, Miller was able to produce an assist. He assisted on Krisjanis Sart’s goal in the first and then helped Bronson Hunt find the back of the net in the second. Heading into the third period, the Norsemen were down by four. Miller scored a goal alongside his teammate Tim Runtso in the third. Despite Miller’s three-point game, the Norsemen lost to the Bruins.

Heading into Saturday night, St. Cloud was hungry to bounce back on the road. The contest was tight, and the scoreboard was blank in the first period. In the second period, Austin found the back of the net first with a goal by Zander Lipsett. Miller quickly registered an assist a minute and a half later. The game was tied in the third period, forcing the contest into overtime. In overtime, that is when Miller became the hero of the matchup. He scored the short-handed game-winning goal for the Norsemen around the three-minute mark.

Miller registered two goals, three assists, and a plus-two rating over the weekend. He lead defensemen for the week with his five-point weekend. Thanks to his work on the ice, Miller extended his point streak to five straight games. The ‘04 skater also sits second among defensemen in the league in total points (46), assists (36), and points per game (1.15).

Head coach of the Norsemen, Joe Exter, shared the impact Miller has on the ice.

“This weekend, Kyle showed why he is one of the top defensemen in all of junior hockey,” said Norsemen head coach Joe Exter. “He impacts all areas of the game. One play says it all. In overtime, he helps us kill a penalty and finishes it by getting the game-winning short-handed goal. He is the ultimate team player.”

Back home, Miller starred for the San Jose Jr. Sharks.

— NAHL Staff

(February 11, 2025)