Owen Miller Now Skating At the University of Iowa, With Many Others From Illinois
By Ross Forman
After a five-year career skating for the Sabre Hockey Association, including as captain in his final season (2024-25) for the Naperville club, Owen Miller has taken his skates to the college game as a forward for the University of Iowa men’s hockey club – alongside a slew of other former players from Illinois. In fact, there are three Illinois natives on the four-person IceHawks executive board.
Miller, 20, a sophomore, is the team’s travel officer, responsible for their travel duties, such as hotels, buses, away game forms, itineraries and more.
The Iowa executive board also features senior Lucas Eltoft from Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, who skated locally for the Vipers; and senior Jake Radosh, from Barrington, who skated multiple seasons for the Chicago Reapers
“It is cool being with other people from Illinois who have the same drive as me to make sure the team is in good standing behind the scenes,” Miller said.
The IceHawks compete in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) and Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA), at the Division 2 level. Miller, an Aurora native, graduated from Oswego High School in May 2025. He is a right-handed shooting forward who often plays center or left wing.
Others from Illinois skating for Iowa:
• Daniel Rubin, Northbrook;
• Raymond Caris, Northbrook;
• Will Behls, Arlington Heights;
• Brady Brown, Oswego;
• Nolan Joy, Orland Park;
• Brody Boyer, Downers Grove;
• Nate Cohen, Chicago;
• Daniel O’Connor, Chicago;
• Ayden Gray, Chicago;
• Carson Hart, Park Ridge;
• Tyler Alfano, Bloomington;
• Christian Peterson, Hainesville;
• Nicholas Albrecht, Mount Prospect
Miller’s hockey career started in Downers Grove and included time with the Geneva Cyclones before finishing with the Sabres.
“My favorite (local) hockey memory was playing shiney in the big hotel lobbies before it begins getting serious,” said Miller, who had a hat trick in a shift against the Blues during his 15U season.
“Illinois hockey gave me a sense of competitiveness and allowed me to grow to each level. My favorite lesson (learned skating in Illinois) is knowing when to flip the on and off switch.”
Miller recalls early hockey memories playing at All Seasons Ice Rinks in Naperville and his dad taking a video of him whiffing on a slapshot at age 8.
“I always enjoyed (Sabres) practices at 5 p.m., because they were after school and still allowed me to have my night to focus on school.”
His favorite Sabres moment was senior night, though he did not play due to a shoulder injury. “All my friends and family were there to support me,” he said.
Slapshots With … University of Iowa Forward Owen Miller
Influential Coaches: Chris Chelios, Michael Lively and Doug Bosse – “they always tried to get me on the ice for private or extra lessons,” he said.
Miller on Miller: “I tend to be a two-way forward; however, I’ve struggled to generate offense recently.”
Off-Ice: “I like to work, caddying or tinting; doing schoolwork or spending time with friends and family.”
It Helps: Stretching, explosive workouts and running
Superstitions: “On ice, my left shell should be rolled twice and I try to keep my jersey untucked.”
Long-term Career Goals: To own a company as a project manager
Favorite NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Favorite NHL Player: Jonathan Toews
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: The Greatest Game Ever Played
Favorite TV Show: The mentalist.
Motivational Song: Walking On a Dream from Empire of the Sun
Favorite Pre-game Meal: Sunnyside up eggs and a vitamin C pack.
Favorite app: Spotify and Google Calendar
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Bradley Cooper