Nov 5, 2018

Waterloo Siskins netminder Brett Miller (Born in 1999 and hailing from Michigan) took the Waterloo Siskins to within 3 minutes of upsetting the Listowel Cyclones in last season’s 7 game Cherry Cup Semi-final series. Listowel had little trouble with the remaining competition on their way to winning their first Sutherland Cup.

Last week Brett committed to the Division 1 RPI ENGINEERS for the 2019-20 hockey season. Brett came to the Waterloo Siskins from the Northville High School “MUSTANGS” team as a highly rated but unproven prospect in August of 2017. Filled with promise and a great work ethic, Brett quickly made the friendly surroundings at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Centre his new home. Promise in a prospect doesn’t always equate to the desired outcome. Brett had several obstacles during the season where he started 50 games for the Waterloo Siskins during the 2017-2018 season. The jump from Michigan High School Hockey to a JUNIOR Hockey in a league as competitive as the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League Mid-Western division is not easy for anyone. Brett overcame his adversity with hard work and a great attitude bringing his best to the rink every day.

See Brett Miller live game video https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YfQVzCx9cWQ

“At Christmas time, Brett came in to talk with me about where he felt he was in his development” said Waterloo Siskins President and Director of Hockey Operations Curtis Clairmont. “Brett was frustrated that he’d been contacting schools like I told him to but he didn’t know if people were watching or what else he could do” Clairmont continued. “What I told him was that he got to play with the Siskins because he was the best goalie in Michigan High School Hockey from our assessment and to get to the next level he needed to be the best goalie in the GOJHL…and so far he’d been good but he needed to be better to turn people’s heads.”

Brett turned people’s heads in the last part of the season summoning the confidence necessary to string a great playoff run for himself and Waterloo. NCAA Division 1 and Division 3 coaches started to show up at the Siskins board room looking to show their interest which lead to Brett being drafted by the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL culminating with Brett accepting the RPI offer for the 2019-20 hockey season. 

In a phone interview with Brett on the weekend, Brett had a lot to say about his experience in Waterloo and the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. “I have a lot of people to go back and thank but there is no doubt I owe a big thank you to the Waterloo Siskins and all those people who helped me in Waterloo. I don’t get the opportunity to go to RPI on a hockey scholarship if it wasn’t for my season in Waterloo.”

As for the Siskins, they couldn’t be happier for Brett and feel good about their contribution in support of Brett’s journey pursuing his childhood dreams. “It’s what it’s all about” said Siskins Head Coach Todd Hoffman when referring to Brett’s achievement. “We go to the rink 5-6 times a week to work with these great young athletes and when something like this happens, it’s the real reward for what we do as Coaches…it makes it all worth it”.

Once a Siskin, always a Siskin! The Siskins faithful will be keeping an eye on Brett’s progress as we follow his hockey and personal career. We look forward to seeing Brett back in Waterloo to personally congratulate him and reflect on the great relationships that were built.