New York Rangers prospects ready to turn pro?

The Big Ten

There are three more Ranger prospects in the Big Ten Conference.  One of the top defense prospects in the organization is playing for one of the biggest disappointments in college hockey.

K’Andre Miller  (D) – 2018 1st round – #18

K’Andre Miller is a sophomore defenseman for the University of Wisconsin.   The Badgers had been projected as a collegiate powerhouse, but instead this season has been a huge downer. The latest blow was their elimination in their first round quarterfinal series to Ohio State.

Miller had a solid second season with seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 36 games. It  was a far cry from the five goals and 22 points he scored in only 22 games when he led all college defensemen under 20 in scoring.  Miller did play as one of the lead defensemen on Team USA at the World Juniors.  He finished seventh on the team in scoring, second best among defensemen.

Wisconsin boasts three first round draft picks in Miller, Cole Caulfield and Alex Turcotte.  They were expected to be one of the top teams in the Big Ten, but are mired in last place with a 14-20-2 record.  Their early exit from the Big Ten tournament is another setback for the program.

The 20-year old Miller is 6’3″, 206 pounds and there are indications that he is looking to turn pro.  In a  recent article in The Athletic (subscription required), he spoke about his desire to make it to New York.  It’s very possible that Miller will turn pro now that this season is over and could see action with the Hartford Wolf Pack.

In that case, he would sign his entry level contract and sign a Professional Tryout (PTO) with Hartford that would allow him to play for the Wolf Pack.

Eric Ciccolini (RW) – 2019 7th round – #205

Eric Ciccolini’s freshman season for Michigan ended on February 10 when he had shoulder surgery to repair an injury he had been playing with the entire season.  The 19 year old right winger had a solid first season in college hockey with one goal and ten assists.  Those 10 assists ranked second on the team.

Ciccolini chose to undergo the surgery as it has a six to eight month recovery period and it will put him back in action in time for the fall hockey season.   The injury caused his shoulder to dislocate frequently, very painful whenever it happened.

His coach, Mel Pearson, talked to the Michigan Daily about Ciccolini . “I think you just saw a little bit of the player that he’s going to be.  Having to play with that all year was — I give him a ton of credit. The mental toughness to have to grind it out through that, I mean just not knowing when it’s going to slide out on you.”

Ciccolini is smaller at 5’11” and 160 pounds.  He’s worth keeping an eye on next season.

Tyler Nanne (D) – 2014 5th round –  #142

Tyler Nanne may never make it to the pros with the New York Rangers, but his story is pretty amazing.  Committed to playing at Ohio State, he was diagnosed with myocarditis and wasn’t cleared to play for the Buckeyes.

He didn’t play for two years while letting the virus run its course.  In 2017 the University of Minnesota offered him the opportunity to play and he has been a team leader for the last three seasons.  He was a teammate of Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren in 2017-18.

This is his senior year at Minnesota and Nanne, a defenseman, so far has four goals and ten assists,  his best season with the Gophers.  He was the top scoring defenseman on the team and is a co-captain.

Minnesota finished tied for second place in the Big Ten with an overall record of 16-14-7.  They were ranked 19th nationally.  They defeated Notre Dame in the Big Ten Quarterfinals in a hard fought three game series.

Big Ten #4 Minnesota plays #1 Penn State this Saturday in a single elimination game n the Big Ten Semifinals.    That game could be Nanne’s last game with the Gophers.  If they can win, they will face the winner of Michigan-Ohio State on March 21 for the Big Ten Championship.  Nanne still has hopes to get into the NCAA tournament if Minnesota can win the Big Ten.

What the future holds for Nanne remains to be seen.  There’s been no talk about the Rangers or Hartford offering him any kind of contract.