No. 33: Jason Miller
Left Wing
18th Overall, 1989
Ironically, the draft pick Lou Lamoriello used to select Miller was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers, in exchange for defenseman Corey Foster—who New Jersey drafted 12th overall in 1988. Incidentally, the first-round pick Edmonton traded for Foster was one of three they received 10 months earlier from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Wayne Gretzky.
That’s basically the most interesting part about New Jersey selecting Jason Miller. Despite tallying 370 points in 275 WHL games with the Medicine Hat Tigers, along with 73 goals and 200 points in 220 AHL games with Utica and Albany, Miller only appeared in six NHL contests (getting zero points) from 1990-1993. He spent one more year with Albany, before going to the Adirondack Red Wings.
From 1995-2010, Miller appeared in over 700 games in Finland, the IHL, and Germany—where he played for 13 consecutive seasons. Miller was a classic example of someone who couldn’t translate their talent and point production to the NHL. Fortunately, he was New Jersey’s second pick in this draft, and they made out quite well with their first selection (who’s ranked much higher on this list).