Colin Miller Bio
Colin Miller (born October 29, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). A right-shot blueliner known for his powerful slap shot and steady two-way play, he has suited up for the Boston Bruins, Vegas Golden Knights, Buffalo Sabres, Dallas Stars, and New Jersey Devils across his NHL career. Selected in the fifth round, 151st overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Miller has developed into a reliable top-four defenceman.
Early Life and Background
Colin Miller was born on October 29, 1992, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in a city with deep roots in hockey, he was introduced to the sport at a young age and quickly developed into a promising defenceman. His size, listed at 185 cm and 89 kg, became an early asset, allowing him to play a physical brand of hockey from his minor hockey days in Ontario.
The Northern Ontario hockey scene gave Miller a strong foundation and plenty of opportunity to progress through competitive youth programs. By his late teens, he had earned the attention of major junior scouts thanks to his skating, shot, and hockey sense. These formative years in Sault Ste. Marie helped shape the work ethic and positional awareness that have defined his professional career.
Path to Hockey
Miller took his first major step toward professional hockey when he joined the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for the 2010-11 season. Over three major junior seasons with his hometown Greyhounds (2010-2013), he recorded 31 goals and 74 assists for 105 points, along with 201 penalty minutes, in 174 games played. His production and leadership on the back end made him one of the Greyhounds’ most influential players.
At the conclusion of the 2012-13 OHL season, Miller was selected to receive the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy as the OHL team captain who best exemplified leadership on and off the ice. That same spring, his three-year body of work in the OHL convinced the Los Angeles Kings to select him in the fifth round, 151st overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. His transition from junior standout to professional prospect was now complete.
Colin Miller Career
Early Career (2013-2015)
On July 29, 2013, the Los Angeles Kings signed Miller to a three-year, entry-level contract, officially beginning his professional career. He spent the bulk of his early development with the Kings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, refining his game against professional competition and learning the finer points of playing the defenceman position at the next level.
During the 2014-15 AHL season, Miller put himself on the map at the AHL All-Star Skills Competition in Utica, New York, on January 25, 2015. He first won the fastest skater competition, then proceeded to set the AHL record for hardest shot, clocking in at 105.5 miles per hour. The performance cemented his reputation as a defenceman with a rare blend of speed and raw power.
Boston Bruins Era (2015-2017)
On June 26, 2015, the Kings traded Miller, along with Martin Jones and the 13th overall selection (Jakub Zbořil) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Milan Lucic. The move opened a new chapter in his career and gave him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot with one of the NHL’s Original Six franchises.
After playing one season in the Bruins’ organization, Miller signed a two-year contract extension worth $2 million, signalling Boston’s belief in his long-term potential. Although he was exposed to the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, he had already established himself as a dependable depth defenceman capable of contributing on both special teams. His time in Boston laid the groundwork for the breakout that would soon follow in the desert.
Vegas Golden Knights Era (2017-2019)
Having been exposed by the Bruins, Miller was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights on June 21, 2017, becoming part of the league’s newest franchise. The Golden Knights immediately gave him an expanded role on the blue line, and he responded with the most productive stretch of his career to that point. His booming shot quickly became a fixture on the Vegas power play.
On May 28, 2018, Miller scored the first-ever Stanley Cup Finals goal in Golden Knights history during the first period of Game 1 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals. During Game 4 of that series, he was hit in the face by T. J. Oshie, breaking his nose, but he continued to compete. Although the Washington Capitals ultimately won the Stanley Cup, Miller finished both the regular season and postseason setting career highs in goals, assists, and points, announcing himself as a legitimate NHL contributor.
Buffalo Sabres Era (2019-2022)
On June 28, 2019, the Golden Knights traded Miller to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a 2021 second-round pick and a 2022 fifth-round pick. The trade gave Buffalo another right-shot defenceman and Miller a fresh opportunity in a younger lineup. Over three seasons in Buffalo, he served as a steady veteran presence on the blue line.
Across his Sabres tenure, Miller continued to log meaningful minutes and contribute offensively from the back end. His experience from a Stanley Cup Final run proved valuable to a Sabres roster in the midst of a rebuild, and he remained a dependable two-way option.
Dallas Stars Era (2022-2023)
On July 13, 2022, the Dallas Stars signed Miller as a free agent from the Sabres on a two-year, $3.7 million contract. The Stars viewed him as a top-four defenceman who could bolster their right side and provide stability in all situations. He quickly earned the trust of the Dallas coaching staff.
In the 2022-23 season, Miller established himself in a top-four role within the Stars’ blueline and contributed six goals and 15 assists for 21 points through 79 regular-season games. He also made 10 playoff appearances as the Stars reached the Western Conference Finals, showcasing his value as a playoff performer and reliable minute-muncher.
New Jersey Devils Era (2023-2024)
On the opening day of free agency, Miller was traded by the Stars to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick on July 1, 2023. The move brought him to a fast, skilled Devils team looking to add veteran depth on defence. He brought playoff experience and a heavy shot to the New Jersey back end.
During his time with the Devils, Miller served as a steady contributor before the club shifted direction ahead of the trade deadline. His stay in New Jersey was brief but productive, and he remained an attractive option for contending teams seeking experienced right-shot help.
Winnipeg Jets Era (2024-Present)
On March 8, 2024, the Devils traded Miller to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick. The trade added him to a Winnipeg team pushing for a deep playoff run and gave him a fresh opportunity to contribute to a contending roster. He continues to play in the NHL as a reliable, mobile defenceman with one of the league’s hardest shots.
Driving Style and Strengths
Miller’s game is built around his elite shot, which remains among the hardest in professional hockey thanks to the record-setting 105.5 mph blast he produced at the 2015 AHL All-Star Skills Competition. He pairs that power with smooth skating, allowing him to join the rush and recover defensively. His calm puck-moving and willingness to block shots make him a well-rounded top-four option.
Notable Events and Milestones
Miller’s most memorable NHL moment came on May 28, 2018, when he scored the first-ever Stanley Cup Finals goal in Vegas Golden Knights history. He also earned the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy in the OHL and set the AHL hardest-shot record, milestones that highlight both his leadership and his rare physical tools.
Colin Miller Career Wins
Colin Miller’s professional résumé features one Stanley Cup Finals appearance with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018 and a Western Conference Finals run with the Dallas Stars in 2023. While he has yet to capture a major individual championship, his consistent regular-season and postseason contributions have established him as a dependable NHL defenceman for nearly a decade.
Vegas Golden Knights Highlights
Miller spent two seasons with the Golden Knights (2017-2019) and reached the Stanley Cup Finals in his first year, scoring the franchise’s first-ever Finals goal on May 28, 2018. He set career highs in goals, assists, and points during both the regular season and postseason of that remarkable 2017-18 campaign.
Other Wins and Performances
During his time with the Dallas Stars in 2022-23, Miller posted 21 points in 79 games and reached the Western Conference Finals. He also captured the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy as the OHL’s top leadership example in 2013 and won both the fastest skater and hardest shot competitions at the 2015 AHL All-Star Skills event.
Colin Miller Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Colin Miller was raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, a hockey-rich community that has produced numerous NHL players over the decades. The deep roots of the sport in his hometown helped shape his path to professional hockey from an early age.
Personal Life
Miller has spent much of his career in cities across North America, beginning in his hometown of Sault Ste. Marie and continuing through Los Angeles, Boston, Las Vegas, Buffalo, Dallas, New Jersey, and Winnipeg. Details about his family life outside of hockey are not publicly documented in the sources reviewed for this biography.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NHL season, Colin Miller remains with the Winnipeg Jets, where he was acquired midseason in March 2024. He is expected to compete for a top-four role on the Jets’ right side, providing a heavy shot on the power play and steady defensive play at even strength. His veteran presence is a valuable asset for a Winnipeg team with playoff aspirations.
Miller’s blend of experience, mobility, and one of the hardest shots in the league makes him a useful piece for the Jets’ blue line as the franchise looks to make a sustained postseason push. With more than a decade of NHL experience and a Stanley Cup Finals appearance on his résumé, he brings playoff composure to the locker room. If he can stay healthy and contribute at a consistent level, he will remain a meaningful part of the Jets’ defensive core throughout 2025 and beyond.