Longtime NHL goaltender Ryan Miller (Michigan State) won the final home game of his professional career.
The East Lansing, Mich. native, who will retire as an active player at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season, made 23 saves on Saturday to backstop the Anaheim Ducks to a 6-2 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Kings. The win raised Anaheim's record to 16-29-7, although the Ducks have already been eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoff contention.
Miller, 40, is now 391-289-87 with a 2.64 goals-against average and 44 shutouts in his NHL career, which began in 2002-03 with Buffalo. After splitting his first four pro campaigns between the Sabres and their minor-league affiliate in Rochester (AHL), he moved up to the NHL for good in 2006-07, and later went on to also play for St. Louis and Vancouver.
In Feb. 2010, Miller guided the United States to a silver medal at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, before winning the Vezina Trophy later that year as the NHL's best goaltender after recording 41 regular-season wins. He leads all American-born NHL goaltenders in career wins, and was 28-27 in 57 career Stanley Cup playoff outings with a 2.52 GAA and three shutouts.
Drafted 138th overall by the Sabres in 1999 after starring in juniors for the Soo Indians (NAHL), with whom he won 52 games over two seasons, the 6-foot-2 Miller went on to play three seasons at Michigan State (1999-2002). A two-time First Team All-America selection, he went 73-19-12 with a 1.54 GAA in 106 career appearances with the Spartans, and still holds the NCAA record with 26 career shutouts. He also won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as college hockey's top player in 2001, the last netminder to date to claim that particular trophy, and also helped MSU to the NCAA Frozen Four that season.
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