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BOSTON -- Colin Miller was one of the best players on the Manchester Monarchs' Calder Cup-winning roster last season.

The Monarchs, like a few other AHL teams in the Northeast, relocated to California over the summer. Miller was able to remain in New England after the Boston Bruins acquired him from the Los Angeles Kings as part of the Milan Lucic trade on draft day in June.

"Shocked. Shocked at first, but then I was excited," Miller said Friday when describing his immediate feelings following the trade. "I was right there in Manchester all last year and heard about the Bruins. It's hard to not here about them being an hour away, but I was excited."

A lot has been made, perhaps too much, of the changes made to the Bruins' system entering training camp. The changes should allow the B's to breakout smoother from the defensive zone and allow the players to use more skill and speed transitioning up ice.

Miller, as a smooth-skating defenseman with the ability to generate offense -- he ranked second among all AHL defensemen in scoring last season -- should be a good fit with the Bruins.

"I think that's something my game kind of has," Miller said of his offensive talent and speed. "It's something I like to incorporate in my game. I think they're trying to get a little more offense from the defense this year. Hopefully I can help."

Miller describes himself as a "puck-moving defenseman" who can "use my speed and skate and get up in the play, but I want to continue to develop all areas of my game."

Like many young defensemen, Miller is trying to improve the defensive aspects of his skill set, and he believes playing against better competition in camp and the preseason will aid that process.

"I don't think I've changed (my defensive game) too much, just trying to improve," Miller said. "I'm trying to get better everyday against bigger and stronger guys. It will be a bit more of a challenge, but just trying to improve everyday."

Miller is one of more than 10 defensemen competing for roster spots on Boston's blue line. Similar to Joe Morrow, he's on a two-way deal and doesn't need waivers to return to the AHL this season. That said, he has as strong of a chance as any of the young D-men to make the team.

"Every organization has good players, every organization is deep. It's the NHL, everyone's trying to get there," Miller said. "I'm just focusing on myself and trying to see what I can do at camp, make a good impression and go from there."

Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@NHLBruins