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NHL Draft 2011: Local Product J.T. Miller Picked By New York Rangers; Brandon Saad Still On Board

J.T. Miller, a Pittsburgh product, was surprised to be picked so early in the 2011 NHL Draft after the New York Rangers selected him at No. 15 overall.

Miller only had one discussion with the Rangers before he was drafted and admitted that he didn't expect to hear his name so early in the evening.

"Yeah, you're not lying there," he said. "I was definitely a little shocked. But getting my name called was the best feeling in the world."

Good for him. I wasn't expecting him to go quite so early. Meanwhile, though, another local product, Brandon Saad, remains on the board despite appearing in the first round in most mock drafts. (Shero, in explaining why he himself didn't take Saad given his local pedigree and the team's need for wingers, explained that defensemen could be traded for wingers later if need be.) Saad looks very likely to be selected in the second round on Saturday. Also look out for Pittsburgh products John Gibson (who's the best goalie available) and center Vincent Trocheck.

Photographs by dizfunk used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.