MADISON, Wis. — First-year defenseman K'Andre Miller was named a finalist for the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award, the league announced Tuesday. Despite missing the Badgers' last nine games due to injury, Miller was a hugely impactful addition to the UW lineup this season, finding success both offensively and defensively from the Wisconsin blue line.

A two-time Hockey Commissioners' Association Rookie of the Month honoree this season, Miller led both Wisconsin and Big Ten rookie defensemen in scoring at the time of his injury with five goals and 22 points in 26 games, averaging nearly a point per contest.

His freshman success is also marked by two game-winning goals, a plus-seven rating and five multi-point games, including a four-point outing against then-No. 9 Penn State last December that earned him Big Ten First Star of the Week honors.

A 2018 first-round draft pick by the New York Rangers, Miller was the first Badger to reach the 20-point this season, and was just three points shy of becoming the ninth rookie rearguard in program history to reach the 25-point mark.

Outside of collegiate play, Miller also won a silver medal with Team USA at the 2019 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia.

Should he earn the honor, Miller would become the seventh skater in Wisconsin history to receive a freshman/rookie of the year nod, and the first since former UW forward Trent Frederic was tabbed the league's Freshman of the Year in 2017.