The Top 25 Under 25 countdown continues with a rising University of Denver freshman who made himself a prospect to watch with a strong campaign in the WHL last season.
Catch up on the previous entries for this year:
Pensburgh Top 25 Under 25: Graduates and Departed players in 2025
Top 25 Under 25: The best of the rest
No. 25: Chase Pietila, D
#24: Ryan Miller, F
2025 Ranking: NR
Age: 19 (May 3, 2007)
Acquired Via: 2025 NHL Draft, 5th Round, No. 130 overall
Height/Weight: 6’0”, 181 pounds
The Penguins selected Miller in the fifth round of the 2025 draft. At the time, he had just recorded a career-high 31 points in 50 games
of his second WHL regular season before helping the Portland Winterhawks reach the second round of the playoffs.
Miller blew those numbers out of the water while captaining the Winterhawks his third WHL season. He finished the campaign with 75 points (30 goals, 45 assists) in 65 WHL games.
He starred on the Winterhawks’ power play and penalty killing units before finishing the season tied for the WHL lead with four shorthanded goals.
Miller later signed an amateur tryout agreement before making his AHL debut with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins late in the 2025-26 season.
He participated earlier this month in his second Penguins development camp, where he was named captain of one of the prospect teams and was a standout performer in the 3v3 scrimmage tournament that capped off camp.
Penguins director of player development Tom Kostopoulos had high praise for Miller after camp (h/t Pens Inside Scoop).
“He might stand out in our organization among the prospects of guys that want the puck, that play with hunger and a desperation to win puck battles,” Kostopoulos said about Miller. “He will rip your head off to win a puck battle.”
Miller himself told reporters after camp: “I think my speed’s a big thing. I try to show that out there.”
The 19-year-old is now headed to the University of Denver, where he had already committed to play the 2026-27 season back when the Penguins drafted him last offseason.
What Miller is able to do with the Pioneers next season will give the Penguins a better idea of where he fits in the organization’s prospect development pipeline. For now, his progression in both the WHL and at prospect development camp has made him a prospect to watch next season.
