MSU hockey fans aren’t going to be experiencing the high life they’ve been used to the past few seasons - “Miller Time” is over.
Ryan Miller has added his name to a growing list of Spartan standouts going pro before completing in their senior seasons.
The goaltender agreed Monday to a two-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres, forgoing his senior year of eligibility with the green-and-white icers.
While fans might be sad not to see Miller manning the net as the Spartans try for a shot at the national championship this season, the All-American had a spectacular MSU career and is ready for his next challenge.
Although he had been quiet about his plans prior to Monday’s contract, Miller was seen wearing red, white and blue pads - the team colors of the Rochester Americans - at Munn Ice Arena during practice last week.
Miller is expected to start in the net for the Americans, Buffalo’s top minor-league affiliate. The East Lansing native was the Sabres’ fifth-round pick in the 1999 draft.
Both Miller’s cool tongue and on-ice performance are testament to his readiness to take the next step toward his dream.
During the 2000 season, Miller became only the second collegiate goaltender to win the Hobey Baker Award. The superstar holds the record for career NCAA shutouts with 26. The previous mark was 16.
Miller also led the nation with a 1.77 goals-against average and boasted a 93.6 save percentage during the 2001 season.
In three seasons, Miller posted a 76-19-12 record in the Spartan net.
Miller is at the top of his game. He has accomplished more personally than most college hockey player do during their careers.
We wish Miller the best as he goes on to capture his dream in the professional hockey ranks.
While it is sad to see a college athlete forgo the remainder of his or her education, Miller is ready.
Perhaps it is because of NHL rules allowing players to continue gaining college ice experience after being drafted that Miller is prepared to go to the next level.
The NBA, on the other hand, rips young talent away from school before he have the chance to fully develop - consider former Spartans basketball players Marcus Taylor and Zach Randolph.
Both standouts left school early to enter the NBA Draft.
Taylor, who left after his sophomore season, had hopes of being picked early and was completely passed on in the first round. Analysts predicted he could have gone earlier if he played at Breslin Center another year.
And Randolph left MSU after his freshman season. His performance on and off the NBA’s courts has been less than impressive.
And we have yet to see what will come of former Spartan running back T.J. Duckett, who skipped out on his senior season to enter the NFL.
While no one can blame any of these players for pursuing their dreams, the practices of the professional organizations they entered into are questionable.
Like other great Spartan athletes before him, Miller has been given the opportunity he’s dreamed about. While in New York, we hope he continues to keep his net as free of pucks as he did at MSU.
