Not long after the announcement that MSU goaltender Ryan Miller had signed with the Buffalo Sabres, forgoing his senior season, Spartan hockey fans weren’t bashful with their opinions.

Miller had arguably done everything a player could do at MSU. He tallied 26 shutouts in his college career, an NCAA record, and finished with a 73-19-12 record in three seasons between the pipes.

Marty Herstein of Lansing has been close to the hockey team for years. He and his wife Janey Ladd have been season ticket holders since 1973, and his daughter dated Kip Miller for five years. Kip Miller is Ryan Miller’s cousin and is a center for the NHL’s New York Islanders.

“I think it’s wonderful,” Herstein said. “He’ll get into a situation where he’s going to play 60-70 games a season. He’ll get a lot of work, and he won’t get lost in the minors.

“I have (former MSU hockey coach Ron) Mason’s philosophy. When you have someone as good as Ryan is, how can you deny him the opportunity to further his career? I wish he would stay, but he’s achieved most things he planned to except winning a national championship.”

Political science senior Drew Kulich said he felt bittersweet about Miller’s decision.

“That sucks,” Kulich said. “It’s sad for MSU, but I think Ryan’s done all he could do here.”

“I just think he should have stayed another year to pad his stats and his records and try for another Hobey Baker,” business sophomore Scott Cooper said.

“I don’t see why he couldn’t have waited another year,” Cooper said. “But it’s his decision, and we can’t stop him.”

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