There's nothing conventional about Bloomington PrairieThunder defenseman Sam Miller. The 27-year-old Miller's off-season resume has included stints as a lumberjack, meat cutter and tournament bass fisherman.

"He's a different bird off the ice," a chuckling Thunder coach Derek Booth said.

On the ice, Miller is a blue-collar performer in the truest sense.

"I'm known as a gamer," said the 27-year-old native of Vancouver, Wash. "I'm not the flashiest guy. I'm there to compete and do my job the best I can every single night."

Miller's hockey job isn't glamorous, although his efforts are greatly appreciated by his higher-profile teammates. If there's dirty work to be done, Miller is at the front of the line.

"He brings a lot of character and a lot of grit on the ice that this team needs and every team wants," Booth said. "He's a guy that will play for his teammates and battle for his teammates. He's a gritty D-man that can make a simple pass, and that's what we're looking for.

"We're not looking for any offense out of him or anything creative. We're just looking for a player that will protect his teammates and battle every night. That's what Sam brings us."

Miller's statistics speak volumes. The seven-year veteran has no goals, one assist and only seven shots in 18 games, but he ranks second on the Thunder in penalty minutes with 78.

More of a protector than an enforcer, Miller relishes his tough-guy role.

"I'm not afraid to mix it up," Miller said. "It's actually a part of my game. It gets me more into the game when I get into a fight. Say a guy takes a cheap shot or a run at one of our best players. In those instances I'll go step in for him because he's not going to fight that guy.

"I don't go out there looking for fights, but I'll definitely do it if it's there. It's the way I was brought up playing."

The son of a meat cutter, Miller began following in his father's footsteps at the tender age of 18.

"I cut steaks all day long," Miller said. "You wear a mesh glove on the hand you cut the meat with. There's still a few accidents here and there. You slip on something and you get cut. It's part of the job."

Miller spent last summer with a friend in Arkansas who works in the tree-cutting business. Of course, Miller took a stab at that in addition to pursuing his favorite hobby, fishing.

"My buddy's dad taught me how to climb trees, cut limbs out and take down trees," Miller said. "It's tough work but it's enjoyable.

"Fishing is my go-to thing in the summer. I really love the outdoors. You're at peace. I love catching fish. It's you and the fish fighting."

Thunder faces endurance test

Tonight's 7:05 home matchup against Kalamazoo begins a grueling stretch of four games in five days for the last-place Thunder (8-10-1, 17 points), which trails fourth-place Kalamazoo and Muskegon by two points.

"We're 3-1-1 in our last five games so we are improving," Booth said. "I know it says last place, but guess what? We're two points out of fourth (place) and a playoff spot. We can't look at standings. It's where we're at and how many points we're away from that (fourth and final) playoff spot."

The Thunder will be bolstered by the return of top goaltender Derek Dolson, who missed the last two games after being called up by the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League. Recently acquired defenseman Rob Guinn will also make his debut tonight for the Thunder.

"Having Dolson back in the lineup will be a big boost," Booth said. "Guinn will add more offensive ability and a shot from the point."

In other personnel moves, rookie right winger Kyle McCullough (hamstring) has been placed on the 10-day injury list and rookie defenseman Jamison Orr has been placed on waivers.

Thunder claps

Player-coach Jarrod Skalde, who suffered a broken fibula in his right leg during the Thunder's second game of the season, said Tuesday he will be sidelined another month. Skalde will begin his rehab today. "I can start pushing a little bit more and getting through some of the pain and stuff like that," Skalde said … Defenseman Jeff Ewasko needed five stitches to repair a cut to his face after being hit with a puck during Saturday night's 2-1 overtime loss to Muskegon. Ewasko has received a total of 309 facial stitches during his career … Rookie right winger Brett Holmberg has five assists in his last four games after notching only two in his first 15 contests … Don Parsons had a five-game scoring streak snapped against Muskegon while Cory Laylin saw his four-game scoring streak halted … The Thunder is 5-1-0 when it leads after two periods.

---

Thunder leaders

Points

1. Don Parsons…21

2. Cory Laylin …15

2. Sam Ftorek…15

Goals

1. Sam Ftorek…10

2. Don Parsons…8

3. Jon Booras…6

Assists

1. Don Parsons…13

2. Cory Laylin…10

3. Scott Crawford…8

Penalty minutes

1. Donnie Margettie…80

2. Sam Miller…78

3. Jeff Ewasko…76

Goals against average

1. Derek Dolson…2.88

2. Loic Lacasse…4.07

Save percentage

1. Derek Dolson….910

2. Loic Lacasse….878

IHL leaders

Points

1. Fox (FLT)…23

1. Lardner (PH)…23

1. Aquino (FW)…23

Goals

1. Lardner (PH)…13

2. Fox (FLT)…12

2. Carroll (PH)…12

2. Aquino (FW)…12

Assists

1. Iberer (KAL)…14

1. Bullock (FLT)…14

3. Parsons (BLM)…13

3. Watt (MUS)…13

3. Chaulk (FW)…13

Penalty minutes

1. Bertram (FTW)…105

2. Rechlicz (KAL)…93

Goals against average

1. Boucher (FTW)…2.11

2. Symington (KAL)…2.31

Save percentage

1. Symington (KAL)….934

2. Boucher (FTW)….929

3. Alban (FLT)….928

Wins

1. Reiter (FTW)…7

1. Symington (KAL)…7

1. Reichmuth (MUS)…7

IHL standings

W…L…OL…SL…Pts

Fort Wayne…11…5…2…1…25

Flint…10…4…0…4…24

Port Huron…11…11…0…0…22

Muskegon…9…7…1…0…19

Kalamazoo…8…8…0…3…19

Bloomington…8…10…1…0…17

NOTE: Two points are awarded for a win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss.

---

Thunder vs. Wings

When: 7:05 p.m. today

Where: U.S. Cellular Coliseum

Radio: WTRX-FM (93.7)

FYI: Bloomington has won two straight over Kalamazoo and leads the season series 2-1.

Thunder vs. Generals

When: 7:05 p.m. Friday

Where: U.S. Cellular Coliseum

Radio: WTRX-FM (93.7)

FYI: Flint owns a 4-0-2 road record, including a 3-1 victory at Bloomington on Nov. 16.

Thunder vs. Icehawks

When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: McMorran Arena, Port Huron, Mich.

Radio: WTRX-FM (93.7)

FYI: Port Huron enters with a three-game losing streak, all on home ice, after reeling off five consecutive wins.

Thunder vs. Komets

When: 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Radio: WTRX-FM (93.7)

FYI: Fort Wayne's Guy Dupuis and Luciano Aquino are the IHL's reigning defenseman and rookie of the week, respectively.