MSU head coach Rick Comley knows that it's always a possibility to lose players early. This offseason, the question marks surround junior captain Drew Miller.
Miller was drafted by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the sixth round (186th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Miller said he hasn't been contacted by Anaheim yet, but the Ducks are expected to offer him a professional contract prior to his senior season.
"When the situation comes about, I'll deal with it then," Miller said. "That hasn't happened, so I'm not really thinking too much about it."
After a limited role in his freshman campaign, Miller had a breakthrough sophomore season, scoring 17 goals and adding 16 helpers for 33 points.
As a junior, Miller scored 18 goals and recorded 43 points en route to being named the team MVP and the CCHA's Best Defensive Forward.
"Right now, you plan on everybody coming back and then it depends on opportunity," Comley said. "You never know. It depends on an (NHL) team's needs.
"I think guys will make a decision they feel is best for them and everybody."
NHL clubs are expected to attempt to sign drafted college players prematurely in future years to get them into the program and adjust to professional style earlier in their development process.
"Both sides, I think, have their positives and negatives," Miller said. "Do I want to be in the pros? Yes. Do I want to be here? Yes. Do I think I'm ready? Another year couldn't hurt, but maybe I'm ready, I don't know. It can go both ways."
Miller's older brother, Ryan, went through a similar situation following the 2001-02 season when he signed with the Buffalo Sabres, forgoing his final year of college eligibility.
Drew Miller will likely be faced with a similar decision to make this summer.
"Three years here at Michigan State's great. I want to finish out my fourth year but if the opportunity comes and it's the right situation, then I'll have a decision to make," Miller said.
In other NHL signings in the CCHA, Michigan freshman defenseman Jack Johnson turned down an offer from the Carolina Hurricanes and Nebraska-Omaha sophomore forward Bill Thomas signed with the Phoenix Coyotes last week.
