With the Vancouver Canucks failing to make the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs for the past three seasons, JT Miller has had plenty of time to focus on golf. The star forward is now trying to qualify for the prestigious United States Open.
The 30-year-old athlete will compete in a local qualifying session next Monday in Presto, Pennsylvania. Of the 77 registered golfers, only four will be selected to participate in a final qualifying session.
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However, according to the US Open website, Miller is left-handed in hockey and plays golf on the right. The American is doing quite well on the ice, scoring 99 and 82 points in the last two seasons.
Presumably his swing has improved significantly since 2020. His Canucks teammates had picked him up as he hit a few balls on the practice field, and let’s just say it didn’t seem convincing in his case. However, he definitely fell in love with the sport.
It remains to be seen if Miller can follow in the footsteps of Garrett Rank, an NHL official who also has had a successful amateur golf career. The man who became the youngest referee in league history in January 2015 at age 27 was a member of Canada’s national amateur team.