Features > Player Spotlight- #2 Kyle Mills
Player Spotlight- #2 Kyle Mills
by Chris Bilder, Generals Staff Writer
Eugene, OR- Kyle Mills, a 5-9 160 lb. 18 year old defenseman from Anchorage, AK, has is tied for the NORPAC lead in points among defensemen. Mills is the second offensive defenseman to come from the Alaska All-Stars organization. Mills talks about some special moments this season, as well as his goals for the future.
CB: You are currently tied for first in points among defensemen (24) in NORPAC, and that is a fairly big accomplishment. What are you most proud of this season?
KM: Probably the way things have gone. Its good to be up there in points, but win column is the most important thing to me.
CB: You are on pace to put up 63 points this season, which would shatter the Generals record of 44 points by a defenseman. What would owning that record mean to you?
KM: It means a lot to be a part of a record on the team, but it’s not all about me. I wouldn’t have had those points if there weren’t four other players with me out on the ice, or those other twenty-four guys on the team.
CB: Ben Tikka is the Generals record holder and both of you played for the Alaska All-Stars. Do they train you to be offensive minded as a defenseman in that organization?
KM: Not really. I used to be a forward, and I was converted to a defenseman. One year they needed more defensemen and I volunteered. I guess its worked out pretty well.
CB: You have two years left of Junior hockey after this season. What are your goals for Junior hockey, and where would you like to be playing next season?
KM: My goals are to be number one in defense in points this season. Next year I’d like to make the jump to the NAHL.
CB: At 5-9 160 lbs. you are a little undersized for a defenseman. How do you make up that?
KM: My speed makes up for it a lot. I like to throw my body around a little bit, and I figure if I go fast enough I can move anybody off the puck.
CB: You have 17 points at home and 7 points on the road this season (9 games each). What makes you more potent in your home arena?
KM: I feel like I play better at home because of the atmosphere. We have the best crowd in the league, and hearing them cheer for us pumps me up.
CB: You only have one point in the three games against Coeur d’Alene this season, and six points in seven games against teams above .500. Why has Coeur d’Alene given you such a hard time?
KM: Coeur d’Alene’s rink is pretty small, and it definitely benefits a more physical game. I like to use my speed, and that rink doesn’t really suit my style of play.
CB: Are you more proud of your twelve special teams points, or your one game winning goal this season?
KM: I think my special teams points mean more to me. Our special teams don’t keep the same lines and you constantly have to adjust to new line-mate’s play. Don’t get me wrong, though, the game winning goal means a lot too.
CB: Coeur d’Alene plays in a very small rink. How do you adjust to playing in different sized rinks?
KM: I have to switch off the speed, and start playing smarter hockey. There’s a lot more maneuvering that has to take place in a rink that size.
CB: What are your predictions for the weekend?
KM: It’s going to be pretty physical game, but I predict that we win.