Former Devil Joins Hogs 2/5/13
By: Scott Leber
Updated: February 5, 2013
Rockford, Illinois-When the IceHogs return from their road trip next week you'll see several new faces in their lineup. One of them is former New Jersey Devil Brad Mills.
Mills played in 27 games for the Devils last season at center. He played in four games with them the previous season. But this season, like many NHL players, he got caught in the numbers crunch during the NHL lockout. He wound up plaing in the ECHL with the Utah Grizzlies.
"It was unfortunate," says Mills to WTVO. "I think everyone wanted to start the season in October, but for me I figured I'd find a place to play. I went to Utah and really enjoyed it there."
Mills was the Grizzlies second leading scorer. He had 35 points in 27 games. But his role with the IceHogs will most likely be different.
"My resume is as a gritty, two-way centerman," says Mills. "I kill penalties, and I'm hard to play against. A tough-nosed guy."
"Mills has some experience in the AHL and NHL," says IceHogs coach Ted Dent. "From everybody we've talked to he's a hard-working up and down, righthanded shot centerman."
Mills was one of a couple ECHL players that the Hogs signed recently to take the place of all the guys who were promoted to the Blackhawks. His focus is to try to get back to the NHL.
"When I was first coming up to the AL I was just thrilled to be in the league," says Mills. "You can't let that change. You've got to come to the rink every day excited to play regardless of where you are. My focus is to do everything in my control to put myself in the best position to succeed at the next level."
Mills played in 27 games for the Devils last season at center. He played in four games with them the previous season. But this season, like many NHL players, he got caught in the numbers crunch during the NHL lockout. He wound up plaing in the ECHL with the Utah Grizzlies.
"It was unfortunate," says Mills to WTVO. "I think everyone wanted to start the season in October, but for me I figured I'd find a place to play. I went to Utah and really enjoyed it there."
Mills was the Grizzlies second leading scorer. He had 35 points in 27 games. But his role with the IceHogs will most likely be different.
"My resume is as a gritty, two-way centerman," says Mills. "I kill penalties, and I'm hard to play against. A tough-nosed guy."
"Mills has some experience in the AHL and NHL," says IceHogs coach Ted Dent. "From everybody we've talked to he's a hard-working up and down, righthanded shot centerman."
Mills was one of a couple ECHL players that the Hogs signed recently to take the place of all the guys who were promoted to the Blackhawks. His focus is to try to get back to the NHL.
"When I was first coming up to the AL I was just thrilled to be in the league," says Mills. "You can't let that change. You've got to come to the rink every day excited to play regardless of where you are. My focus is to do everything in my control to put myself in the best position to succeed at the next level."
