VALENCIA — The Ice Connection rink is home to numerous amateur hockey teams around the calendar.

Now the facility is working on housing some NHL players.

New York Rangers center J.T. Miller skated and worked out there Tuesday. Chicago Blackhawks forward Brandon Saad is working out on the ice there today and Friday. The Stanley Cup may accompany Saad when he works out at the facility at 10:30 a.m. Friday.

“We don’t have a confirmation on that part yet,” Ice Connection owner Ranjeet Mullick said of the Stanley Cup’s visit.

Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson is planning to use the facility soon as well.

All three of those players are former members of the Pittsburgh Hornets and reside in this region.

“It can be tough for these guys to find ice at this time of year,” said Grant Springer, Miller’s personal trainer. “J.T. works out five days a week and gets on the ice twice a week.

“It’s important for these players to maintain their conditioning, work on their skill set, shooting and footwork. You can only do that stuff on ice and some rinks shut down for a while in the summer.

“Where I come from in Canada, there’s 15 rinks serving a population of 150,000 people. You can always get on the ice. It’s not so easy around here,” he added.

Miller is from East Palestine, a small Ohio town near Youngstown. He now lives in Pittsburgh. He scored two goals and four points in 26 games with the Rangers last season.

Following Tuesday’s workout, he autographed photos of himself for kids on hand to watch him practice.

“This rink isn’t far from where I’m at and I like to skate and practice in a quiet setting with not a lot of people around,” Miller said. “They’re nice to give us ice time.

“I enjoy the autographs and talking to kids, especially here. Hockey is just exploding in this area.”

One player benefitting from Miller’s appearance Tuesday was Center Township resident Jake Hildebrand, who is entering his sophomore year as goaltender at Michigan State University and spent part of July in the New Jersey Devils’ rookie developmental camp. Hildebrand served as goaltender while Miller took his shots during his time on the ice.

Hildebrand and Miller were teammates with the Pittsburgh Hornets for a number of years. Saad played for the Hornets as well.

“I’ve known J.T. for a long time. He’s got an incredibly hard shot ... That’s why he is where he is,” Hildebrand said. “It’s invaluable experience for me to get a chance to go on the ice with him and try to stop him. It’s another way I’m opening my eyes to the level of hockey I want to reach.”

Miller, 20, the first-round draft pick of the Rangers in 2011, believes Hildebrand will get there one day.

“No doubt, Jake has the tools,” he said. “He’s just not as big as most pro teams like their goaltender to be. But he makes up for it in speed and quickness. He’ll get his shot.”

Hildebrand, 20, is 5-foot-11, 182 pounds. By comparison, Anaheim’s Gibson — like Miller, a first-round draft choice — stands 6-3 and weighs 209.

Hildebrand posted a 2.35 goals-against average and .928 save percentage as a freshman on a young Michigan State team last season.

“Jake is extremely talented. Believe me, NHL teams know about him,” Springer said.

Hildebrand has been on the ice with Saad at Ice Connection in the past, but will miss him this time around. He returns to Michigan State Friday after spending most of the summer there, taking classes and working out with the team.

Miller plans to skate a few more times at the Ice Connection before making plans for the Rangers’ preseason camp.

“As camp approaches, the on-ice work intensifies,” he said. “They give me the time and space I need here and it’s appreciated.”

Mullick is working on getting other NHL players from the Pittsburgh area to do similar offseason skating workouts in the future.

Saad scored 10 goals and 27 points for the Blackhawks in helping them win the championship. He is a Gibsonia resident and Pine-Richland graduate.

“Brandon Saad learned how to skate on this ice,” Mullick said. “It’s good that these guys come back and give back to the community. They remember where they came from.

“More and more hockey players from around here are reaching the NHL. We’ll open up our ice to them to come in, get their work in and mingle with our amateur players and other interested fans a little bit. It’s a nice give-and-take and it’s something we’re looking to build upon.”