Santa Clarita, California, doesn't sound like a hockey hotbed. At least not in the mid-to-late 1990s.

As a kid, Miller caught the bug anyway, learning to play roller hockey, playing pickup games with his friends, and rooting for the San Jose Sharks.

When he was 16 years old, Miller headed east to Sheffield, Massachusetts, to attend the Berkshire School before attending the University of Vermont. In four seasons with the Catamounts, including serving as captain as a senior, Miller had 30 points (five goals, 25 assists) in 144 games while developing a reputation as a rugged, dependable defenseman.

Despite going undrafted, Miller joined Providence, the Boston Bruins' American Hockey League affiliate, on a tryout contract. He played six games with Providence at the end of the 2010-11 season before signed an entry-level contract with the Bruins on Oct. 21, 2011.

Following two more seasons in Providence, Miller made his NHL debut in a 3-2 shootout loss to the St. Louis Blues on Nov. 21, 2013. Although was reassigned to Providence eight days later, he was quickly recalled on an emergency basis, and he played in 47 games for Boston, getting six points (one goal, five assists) and a plus-20 rating.

Miller also played in 11 games for the Bruins in 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, getting two assists.

After impressing the Bruins as a rookie, expectations were high for Miller entering 2014-15. However, a shoulder injury in October, and subsequent surgery in February, limited him to 41 games.

Miller would bounce back in 2015-16, getting NHL career highs in goals (five) and points (18), and sign a four-year contract with the Bruins on May 24, 2016.

Injuries continued to plague Miller, however, and in 2019-20, he missed the entire season with Boston because of a kneecap injury.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• Signed as a free agent by Boston, October 21, 2011.