The Steinbach Pistons continue to bolster their roster ahead of the 2025-26 season, adding former 1st overall MJHL draft pick Marek Miller.
"Couldn't be more excited," the La Salle, Manitoba product says with a big smile. "I've heard nothing but good things about Steinbach, as a community, the new rink, the staff with Paul (Dyck) there, I'm just so excited."
Miller comes to Steinbach with 64 games played over the span of three seasons. "It's been good," he says about his time in the MJHL so far. "The league is super competitive, I've been on some good teams, it's a good league to be in. I'm just excited to start in Steinbach, now."
In 2022, Miller was selected 1st in the MJHL draft by the Winkler Flyers, the team closest to his home town, something he says he takes a lot of pride in. "I couldn't have been more excited, it was such a fun time. It was kind of unexpected, but it was cool being that young and being the first overall pick, it was fun."
Being the first pick did come with some pressure, Miller admits, but he just wanted to play hockey. "There's a little pressure, sure," he says with a grin. "But once you get on the ice, you just kind of forget about everything and just play. Winkler made me feel very comfortable with all of that."
After a strong start to the 2024-25 season where he put up 10 points in 11 games with Winkler, Miller was traded to Virden, where he had a strong run, finishing with 18 points in 30 games.
When describing himself as a player, Miller says the key to his success is speed. "I'd say I'm a play making forward, nose for the net, and I like setting up my teammates. I like working in the corners and just flowing throughout the game."
Coming to Steinbach, Miller knows this is a team that is looking to contend for an MJHL championship, something he says is his ultimate goal. "It would be super awesome to lift the cup with Steinbach. I think the team will be very good, we'll be a very competitive team. We won't accept anything less than lifting the Turnbull."
His now home, the Southeast Event Centre, is waiting for him, and Miller is thrilled to see it in person, after only seeing it from a distance. "All I've seen is photos and videos, and it just looks unbelievable. First class. I'm super excited to play in it, look around, and just enjoy such a nice facility."
Excited is a word that Miller has used a lot when talking about being a Pistons, but for him as a player, to have the organization just as excited to bring him in, it's a big confidence boost. "It makes me feel super comfortable, and even more excited to be a part of Steinbach. It's going to be awesome, and I can't wait to get going."
Hockey being such a small world, Miller says he's already connected with one of his new teammates. "I've talked to Zhenya Miles, I kind of knew him, grew up playing with him, so I've talked with him a bit."
Joining his new team in a few weeks, the thing that perhaps makes Miller the happiest is that he will have the chance to get a new number. "I wore number 3, and I didn't have much options," he says with a little hostility. "I was traded there during the season. I'm hoping that 3 is locked away from me," he says with a laugh. "I don't want anything to do with 3. I don't have a number in mind, but maybe get back in the double digits. I don't want a single, defenseman number."
Whatever number Marek Miller wears for the Steinbach Pistons, both sides are looking forward to seeing it on the scoresheet a lot.