Jack Millar’s second stint with the Ontario Reign has been marked by a blend of resilience and quiet impact, as the 27‑year‑old defenseman navigated a injury‑riddled campaign before re‑emerging as a reliable presence on the blue line.
A Defensive Anchor in the Making
In 40 appearances during the 2025‑26 season, Millar logged two goals and seven assists, accumulating nine points while posting a +18 plus‑minus rating — a statistic that underscores his contribution to the team’s defensive stability.
The Ontario native missed 31 games from November through January after sustaining an injury that sidelined him for a critical stretch of the schedule. His return coincided with a surge in performance, highlighted by back‑to‑back goals in February that remain his only two scores of the regular season.
Teammates and coaches have praised Millar’s defensive acumen. He spent much of the season paired first with veteran Hicketts before transitioning to a partnership with rookie Nikita Novikov, a pairing that seemed to unlock a more cohesive defensive unit.
With his contract set to expire on June 30, Millar will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Reign’s management has hinted that re‑signing him could be a priority, given the projected thinness at the right‑side defensive position heading into the 2026‑27 season.
Beyond the numbers, Millar’s reputation as a steady, shutdown defenseman continues to shape his role within the organization. While offensive production has been limited, his ability to neutralize opponents and maintain a high plus‑minus rating has made him a valued piece of the Reign’s defensive depth.