Miller Time In Toronto, As PWHL Teams Hit The Ice

Hannah Miller is one of the top additions to PWHL Toronto, and she feels the excitement of the new franchise after the team officially hit the ice together.

Hannah Miller is excited for something new. Following the first day on the ice with her PWHL Toronto teammates at the Ford Performance Centre in Etobicoke, Miller spoke of the excitement that's been filling the arena and city since players arrived in town.

"It's been awesome," Miller said. "Today getting on the ice, super good to get out there with the whole group, it feels like everything is really starting now and I'm just excited to be part of this group."

Miller returned to North America this season after spending four years in China, Russia, and Sweden, primarily playing with the KRS Vanke Rays, who she also spent a season with in North America playing in the CWHL.

Last year Miller scored 48 points in 32 games while captaining KRS Shenzhen. While she's played with some of the best in the world before, the level of play on the ice in Toronto on day one was another level according to the veteran forward.

"It's fast. Everyone is super skilled, everyone is competing, it's definitely the best of the best, and that's the exciting part," she said. "This is the league if you want to be challenged every day and you want to continue to develop no matter what stage of your career you're in."

Miller is a unique player in that she's represented two nations on the international stage. As a teenager, she won two gold medals with Canada at the U-18 World Championships before spending four seasons with St. Lawrence University. In 2022, Miller represented China at the Division 1B World Championships helping China earn promotion while being named the tournament's Best Forward, and also represented China at the Olympic Games.

Despite her new ties overseas, the opportunity to play in the PWHL was too tempting for Miller to pass up.

"This new league, it's exciting," said Miller. "It's something I really believe in to make this happen, to make it sustainable, and so young girls can see something attainable to achieve in the future. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be part of something like that."

From North Vancouver, British Columbia, Miller is also excited to be back in Canada, playing for Toronto who drafted her 74th overall before signing her to a one-year deal.

"I've been away for a number of years now," she said. "I haven't been able to play live in front of friends and family so that's something I'm really excited to do this season as well."

While she was is 12,500km away from Shenzhen, China, Miller feels the hockey world is small, and felt immediately welcomed and comfortable among her new teammates who, despite the fact they've only skated once officially as a team, she believes are creating something special in Toronto.

"The women's hockey world is small so everyone kind of knows each other, but it's been great getting to know everyone better, she said. "The Toronto group is going to put a big emphasis on creating that culture and environment that's really special for us, and a lasting legacy. So far it's been really welcoming, exciting, and just fun coming to the rink every day."

Toronto will continue training camp over the coming weeks leading up to the PWHL's Preseason Camp in Utica, New York in early December that will see PWHL Toronto play a trio of exhibition games to help finalize rosters.