Photo credit: Jack Murray/Damon James
Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees are proud to announce defenceman James Miller has been awarded the BCHL’s Top Defenceman for the 2018-19 season.
Miller, from Spruce Grove, Alberta, is in his third season with the Vees and fifth season of junior hockey overall. He finished the 2018-19 season appearing in all 58 games and shattering previous career highs with 18 goals and 44 assists. The 62 points is more than he had over his previous four seasons combined.
His 62 points ranked second amongst BCHL defenceman, trailing only Victoria’s Carter Berger by a single point. Miller was also relied upon heavily to shutdown opposing teams top players both at even strength and on the penalty kill while averaging nearly 30 minutes of ice time per game.
His ice time was never more prevalent than November 17 against Victoria when the Vees only had three regular defenceman at their disposal. Miller played over 37 minutes and picked up two assists to help the Vees win 4-1.
Miller becomes the 12th Vees to win Top Defenceman since 1992. Most recently was Dante Fabbro in 2016.
His efforts didn’t go unnoticed by the NCAA as he received a scholarship to Northern Michigan for next season.
