The first day of fall semester classes brought beginnings for most MSU students, but it signaled the end of Ryan Miller’s collegiate athletic career.
Miller, a two-time All-American goaltender, forfeited his senior year of eligibility and signed a contract with the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres on Monday. Terms of the two-year deal were not disclosed.
Miller, a 22-year-old East Lansing native, who was selected 138th overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, talked to the Buffalo media at a press conference in the western New York city Monday afternoon. Miller and MSU head coach Rick Comley are scheduled to address Lansing media today.
“It was hard because, as a hometown boy a lot of people there know you,” Miller told The Buffalo News on Monday. “I got halfway through the summer, and they thought nothing was going to happen. You know, ‘Thank God you’re staying. We thought you were gone.’
“It kind of hurts (to hear that) when you know you still have a decision to make and you want to please all these people. But I made this decision as a part of my hockey career, and I feel this is the best decision for me.”
The 6-foot-2, 160-pounder signed with agent Mike Liut, a former NHL goaltender. Liut played for the St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers and Washington Capitals during his 13-year NHL career.
Miller joins a Sabres organization that already had a solid stable of young goaltending, led by incumbent starter Martin Biron, 25, and prized prospect Mika Noronen, 23. Miller will get the chance to unseat those players at the Sabres’ training camp next month, but he’s expected to start the season with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League. The Americans are the Sabres’ top minor-league affiliate.
“We saw him play last year, and my own sense was that he was ready for the next step,” Sabres general manager Darcy Regier told The Associated Press. “I figured if we can find a way to work it out, it was time for him to turn pro.”
Comley declined to take phone calls Monday, but he did release a statement through the university.
“I believe that Ryan is as good as any goaltender out there,” Comley said. “There have been a lot of outstanding collegiate goaltenders, but honestly, I believe that Ryan is the best goaltender to ever play college hockey.
“It was a tough situation for Ryan, but it’s the nature of the business. I do believe that it was always not a question of whether (Miller would go), but when. At least we can now face the reality and look to the future.”
Without Miller manning the pipes, the Spartans’ goaltending duties will be handled by sophomore Matt Migliaccio and freshman Justin Tobe this season. Migliaccio played three games - starting one - last season and stopped 18 of 20 shots he faced. He won his only start, 3-1, against Quinnipiac on Jan. 5.
Tobe played last season for the Compuware Ambassadors of the North American Hockey League, where he posted a 21-6-1 record, 2.34 goals against average and .914 saves percentage.
Tobe had been waiting for Miller to make his announcement before deciding whether to come to MSU this year or in 2003.
“Michigan State was very gracious to give me the time to (make my decision),” Miller told The Buffalo News. “I’m planning on being an NHL player. I probably expect more out of myself than any of you.
“I do realize I have to learn, and it’s not going to crush me to go and have to learn. It’s not going to be an insult to have them say, ‘You don’t quite know how to do it yet, but you have the potential to do it.’”
Several MSU players declined to comment Monday, citing the Spartan coaching staff’s wishes. After a summer of uncertainty, Miller is supposed to address his former teammates today.
“I think he wants to talk to everyone on the team first before we start talking about it,” senior left wing Steve Clark said.
Miller guided the Spartans to the NCAA Tournament all three seasons of his collegiate career. In the process, he shattered the NCAA’s career shutout record, which stood at 16 blankings for 70 years until Miller set the new mark at 26.
As a sophomore, Miller won the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s outstanding player and led the Spartans to the Frozen Four with a 31-5-4 record, 1.32 goals against average, .950 saves percentage and 10 shutouts.
For his career, Miller was 73-19-12 with a 1.54 goals against average in 106 games. He helped the Spartans win a CCHA regular-season title and two CCHA Tournament titles during his tenure.
Miller’s list of accolades also includes being named Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year in 2001, twice being named CCHA Player of the Year and twice being named to the U.S. team at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships.
“He certainly was the best goalie I’ve ever seen,” Alaska-Fairbanks head coach Guy Gadowsky said Monday. “He’s such a classy guy - everyone hopes the best for him. We certainly do.”
Miller had plenty of success against Gadowsky’s Nanooks, including his record-setting 17th career shutout on Feb. 10, 2001. Still, Gadowsky said he’s disappointed to see Miller leave college hockey.
“It was more fun to compete against him and watch him play,” Gadowsky said. “I wouldn’t say I’m happy he’s gone. He had some memorable games against us.
“Time will tell in the pros. He’ll definitely be a credit to the CCHA.”
James Jahnke can be reached at jahnkeja@msu.edu
