Exactly one month ago from today, Miller hoisted the Cup after the Anaheim Ducks won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

The ex-MSU captain brought the Stanley Cup to Munn Ice Arena, where friends, family, coaches and fans gathered for a public viewing Thursday.

"East Lansing is where I grew up and went to school, so to be able to bring it here meant a lot to me," Miller said. "You want to be able to reach out to those who are a big part of your life, and that's why I wanted to bring the Cup home."

It's been a storybook ending to Miller's first professional hockey season.

After forgoing his senior season at MSU to sign with the Ducks, Miller spent the entire last season with the team's American Hockey League affiliate, the Portland (Maine) Pirates.

In 79 games, he scored 16 goals and 20 assists and was called up to the pros once the playoffs started. He made his NHL debut in the Ducks' first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Wild.

In order for a player to get his name on the Stanley Cup, he has to play at least 40 regular-season games or appear in one game of the Finals.

Miller earned that after he was put on a line with someone he considers to be one of the greatest players of all time - Teemu Selanne - in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Ottawa Senators.

"Once you get a taste of it, you want to stay there," Miller said in response to getting called up to the NHL. "I knew (the Ducks) were going to make the playoffs so I thought there was a chance they were going to call a couple of guys up.

"I was excited to get called up, but I never thought that I would get a chance to actually play a week later. To be part of a team that accomplished what we did, and to watch a guy like Teemu Selanne and see his emotions and facial expressions after we won, you know you truly did something special."

While Miller got to be part of the Ducks' championship team, his former teammates back home won their first NCAA championship in 21 years with a dramatic victory over Boston College. Miller admits his heart will always be with his best friends at MSU.

"My decision to leave early was the best thing for myself and my career, but I couldn't be more happy for those guys who won the championship," Miller said.

"They are my best friends, and the first thing I did when they won was call them and congratulate them. They were supportive of me and I am supportive of them - that's how teammates and friendships work."

Miller recalls former teammate Chris Lawrence calling him after every shift he was on the ice. Miller said up to 30 voicemails were left on his phone after every game, joking about their former teammate getting the opportunity to play and be part of a Stanley Cup championship team.

"To have a chance to be on the ice and raise the Cup above your head is a great feeling," Miller said. "It is something that you always think about but once you actually do it, it makes it that much more special."