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Ryan Miller (hockey player)
Encyclopedia
Ryan Miller is an American
ice hockey
goaltender
who plays for the Buffalo Sabres
of the National Hockey League
(NHL). He was selected to play for the U.S. hockey team in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games
in Vancouver
, B.C., Canada, as starting goaltender. He won a silver medal with the team and was named MVP of the tournament. Later in 2010, he would win the Vezina Trophy
as the best goaltender in the 2009–10 NHL season
. He is known for his hybrid style of goaltending. He is also the older brother of current Detroit Red Wings
winger Drew Miller
.
, and graduated from Sault Ste. Marie Area High School. In youth hockey, Miller originally played as a forward. However Miller became frustrated with the poor play of his team's goalie, so he begged his coach as well as his father, Dean, to let him try it out. His father told him that if he could get two goals and three assists the next game he would buy Ryan a catching glove. Miller finished the game with two goals and three assists in the win. His brother Drew Miller
is currently a forward for the Red Wings and three cousins (Kelly Miller, Kevin Miller and Kip Miller
) all played in the NHL. All five attended Michigan State University.
, Miller set an NCAA
record with 26 career shutout
s and was the winner of the Hobey Baker Award
in 2001, when he led the country in wins, winning percentage, save percentage (an NCAA record .950 mark), goals-against average and shutouts (an NCAA record 10).
Miller was the 2001 Big Ten-Jesse Owens Men's Athlete of the Year.
Miller, nicknamed "Unscoreonable" by an MSU teammate, became only the second Spartan in history to win the Hobey Baker Award
and only the second goaltender (Robb Stauber
won it in 1988). He was the CCHA's Goaltender of the Year all three of his seasons in East Lansing, and was the league's overall MVP twice. Ten members of Miller's family, including his grandfather, father, uncle, five cousins (including Kelly, Kevin and Kip Miller
), and his younger brother Drew
, have played college hockey for the Spartans. His cousin Kip Miller
won the Hobey Baker
in 1990. Miller was a close friend of Buffalo Bills
fullback and fellow MSU alumnus Jehuu Caulcrick
.
, where he played for the Sabres affiliate the Rochester Americans
from the 2002–03 season until the 2004–05 season. During the 2002–03 season he played 15 regular season games for Buffalo. In the 2004–05 season, He won 41 games for the Americans, tying Gerry Cheevers
' record. He finished that season with a 2.45 GAA.
In 2004–05, the Americans were the North Division and Regular Season champions in the American Hockey League. They lost in the division finals against a powerful Manitoba team
Miller finished the 2005–06 season by establishing himself as the starting goalie for the Sabres. He ranked 11th among NHL goalies with a 2.60 GAA
, and 9th with a save percentage
of .914. Miller led the Sabres to a surprise season, winning 30 games and advancing to the conference finals.
After the 2005–06 season, Miller became a restricted free agent and waived his right to arbitration. Mike Liut
, Miller's agent, continued to negotiate with the Sabres through the summer. On September 8, 2006, the Sabres announced that they had re-signed Miller to a three-year contract.
The 2006–07 season would prove a successful one. In his first season starting with the number one job, Miller and his team won the first 10 games in a row. Miller was voted the starting goaltender for the Eastern Conference
of the 2007 NHL All-Star Game. In a 12–9 loss, Miller played the first period and allowed three goals. Miller also gained a reputation of a shootout specialist with his technique of challenging the shooter outside the crease. That season he was 10–4 in shootouts, with Martin Brodeur
of the New Jersey Devils
being his closest rival at 10 wins and 6 losses. In 63 games played that season, Miller posted a 0.911 SVP and a 2.72 GAA backing a more offensively oriented team.
In the post-season of that year, the Sabres advanced to their second conference finals in as many years, losing to the Ottawa Senators
in five games. Miller posted a .922 SVP and 2.22 GAA in the playoffs.
On October 11, the Sabres won their second home game of the 2007–08 season with a 6–0 win over the Atlanta Thrashers
. Miller had the shutout stopping 20 shots in a game following the death of his 18-year-old cousin, Matt, who had died the Monday before of a complication with a bone-marrow transplant. At the close of the game, Miller raised his stick to the home crowd in tribute and received star honors for his effort in net.
Miller's current helmet design has the words "Matt Man" on the back in remembrance.
On January 1, 2008, Miller played with the Sabres in the AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic
, which was the first outdoor NHL game to be held in the United States. The game was played at Ralph Wilson Stadium
, home to the Buffalo Bills
, in Orchard Park, New York
. The Sabres lost in a shoot-out to the Pittsburgh Penguins
, but Miller only allowed one goal (out of 25 shots) in regulation. Miller previously played outdoors in the Cold War
– a game between Michigan and Michigan State held in 2001.
On March 28, 2008, Miller played in his 73rd game of the season, breaking the Sabres franchise record for most games played in a season, passing Grant Fuhr
, Dominik Hašek
and Martin Biron
. Miller finished the season with 76 games played, recording a 2.64 GAA and a .906 SVP.
On July 18, 2008, Miller signed a five-year contract extension worth $31.25 million with the Sabres. The contract took effect at the start of the 2009–10 season. Miller suffered a high-end ankle sprain on February 22, 2009, in a game against the New York Rangers
, which kept him out of action until late March. Despite Miller's strong 34–18–6 record during the 2008–09 NHL season
, the Sabres narrowly missed out on qualifying for a playoff berth.
Miller's popularity in both Buffalo and for U.S. hockey has spawned several nicknames including Miller Time (after the Miller brewing company's advertising slogan). While the Toronto media has nicknamed him the "Leaf Killer: Ryan Miller" for his excellent success against one of the Sabres top rivals the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In the 2009–10 NHL season
, Miller played exceptionally, with a GAA of under 2.00 before the Olympic break. He finished the season with a 2.22 GAA and a .929 SV%. He led the Buffalo Sabres to a Northeast Division title and posted 41 wins, breaking his former record of 40 wins posted in 2006–07. His play became even more popular around the U.S after being nominated for the Vezina Trophy
for the league's best goaltender. On June 23, 2010, in Las Vegas, Nevada
, at the 2010 NHL Award Ceremony, Miller was announced as the winner of the 2010 Vezina Trophy beating New Jersey Devils
goaltender Martin Brodeur
and Phoenix Coyotes
goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov
. That same night, Miller also became the first American player to win the NHL Foundation Player Award
.
Late in the 2010–11 NHL season
, on March 29, 2011, during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs
, despite finishing the game in a 4-3 losing cause, Miller suffered what was later reported to be an "upper body injury". Initial speculation on the specifics of Miller's injury ranged from a concussion resulting from a Brian Rolston
shot that rang off his mask, to a bruised collarbone from from a Dion Phaneuf
shot.
at the 2006 Winter Olympics
in Turin
, but did not play. Miller was selected as starting goalie for the United States hockey team in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Miller led the team to a perfect 5-0 start, including a 5-3 win over gold-medal favorite Canada in the preliminary round, stopping 42 of 45 shots. The five wins, including victories over Switzerland and Finland in the quarterfinals and semifinals respectively, brought the US to the gold medal game, where they faced Canada for the second time. In the gold medal game, the US lost 3-2 in overtime despite Miller's 36 saves, as Sidney Crosby
scored the game-winner in his second scoring attempt, after his first was saved by Miller. The US team won the silver medal, and Miller was named MVP of the tournament, with a save percentage of .946 and an American Olympic record GAA of 1.35. Miller also won IIHF best goaltender honours and was named to the All-Star team.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
who plays for the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). He was selected to play for the U.S. hockey team in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, B.C., Canada, as starting goaltender. He won a silver medal with the team and was named MVP of the tournament. Later in 2010, he would win the Vezina Trophy
Vezina Trophy
The Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the 30 General Managers of the teams in the National Hockey League vote to determine the goaltender who was the most valuable to his team...
as the best goaltender in the 2009–10 NHL season
2009–10 NHL season
The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010...
. He is known for his hybrid style of goaltending. He is also the older brother of current Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
winger Drew Miller
Drew Miller
Andrew Miller is an American professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League ....
.
Early life
Miller grew up in East Lansing, MichiganEast Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located directly east of Lansing, Michigan, the state's capital. Most of the city is within Ingham County, though a small portion lies in Clinton County. The population was 48,579 at the time of the 2010 census, an increase from...
, and graduated from Sault Ste. Marie Area High School. In youth hockey, Miller originally played as a forward. However Miller became frustrated with the poor play of his team's goalie, so he begged his coach as well as his father, Dean, to let him try it out. His father told him that if he could get two goals and three assists the next game he would buy Ryan a catching glove. Miller finished the game with two goals and three assists in the win. His brother Drew Miller
Drew Miller
Andrew Miller is an American professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League ....
is currently a forward for the Red Wings and three cousins (Kelly Miller, Kevin Miller and Kip Miller
Kip Miller
Kip Charles Miller is a retired American ice hockey forward. He last played for the American Hockey League Grand Rapids Griffins in 2006–07. He was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques as their 4th-round pick in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, 72nd overall.Miller played college hockey for the Michigan State...
) all played in the NHL. All five attended Michigan State University.
College
As a college player for the Michigan State University SpartansMichigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
, Miller set an NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
record with 26 career shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s and was the winner of the Hobey Baker Award
Hobey Baker Award
The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
in 2001, when he led the country in wins, winning percentage, save percentage (an NCAA record .950 mark), goals-against average and shutouts (an NCAA record 10).
Miller was the 2001 Big Ten-Jesse Owens Men's Athlete of the Year.
Miller, nicknamed "Unscoreonable" by an MSU teammate, became only the second Spartan in history to win the Hobey Baker Award
Hobey Baker Award
The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
and only the second goaltender (Robb Stauber
Robb Stauber
Robert Thomas Stauber is a retired American professional ice hockey goaltender who played 62 NHL regular season games between 1989 and 1995...
won it in 1988). He was the CCHA's Goaltender of the Year all three of his seasons in East Lansing, and was the league's overall MVP twice. Ten members of Miller's family, including his grandfather, father, uncle, five cousins (including Kelly, Kevin and Kip Miller
Kip Miller
Kip Charles Miller is a retired American ice hockey forward. He last played for the American Hockey League Grand Rapids Griffins in 2006–07. He was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques as their 4th-round pick in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, 72nd overall.Miller played college hockey for the Michigan State...
), and his younger brother Drew
Drew Miller
Andrew Miller is an American professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League ....
, have played college hockey for the Spartans. His cousin Kip Miller
Kip Miller
Kip Charles Miller is a retired American ice hockey forward. He last played for the American Hockey League Grand Rapids Griffins in 2006–07. He was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques as their 4th-round pick in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, 72nd overall.Miller played college hockey for the Michigan State...
won the Hobey Baker
Hobey Baker Award
The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
in 1990. Miller was a close friend of Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
fullback and fellow MSU alumnus Jehuu Caulcrick
Jehuu Caulcrick
Jehuu Tobias Caulcrick is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Michigan State....
.
Buffalo Sabres
After three seasons with Michigan State, Miller moved to the American Hockey LeagueAmerican Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
, where he played for the Sabres affiliate the Rochester Americans
Rochester Americans
The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...
from the 2002–03 season until the 2004–05 season. During the 2002–03 season he played 15 regular season games for Buffalo. In the 2004–05 season, He won 41 games for the Americans, tying Gerry Cheevers
Gerry Cheevers
Gerald Michael "Cheesey" Cheevers is a former goaltender in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association between 1961 and 1980, most famous for his two stints with the Boston Bruins, where he backstopped the team to Stanley Cup wins in 1970 and 1972...
' record. He finished that season with a 2.45 GAA.
In 2004–05, the Americans were the North Division and Regular Season champions in the American Hockey League. They lost in the division finals against a powerful Manitoba team
Miller finished the 2005–06 season by establishing himself as the starting goalie for the Sabres. He ranked 11th among NHL goalies with a 2.60 GAA
Goals against average
Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender....
, and 9th with a save percentage
Save percentage
Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops...
of .914. Miller led the Sabres to a surprise season, winning 30 games and advancing to the conference finals.
After the 2005–06 season, Miller became a restricted free agent and waived his right to arbitration. Mike Liut
Mike Liut
Michael Dennis Liut is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender.Liut played for the Cincinnati Stingers of the World Hockey Association from 1977 to 1979 and for the St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers, and Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League from 1979 to 1992. He won...
, Miller's agent, continued to negotiate with the Sabres through the summer. On September 8, 2006, the Sabres announced that they had re-signed Miller to a three-year contract.
The 2006–07 season would prove a successful one. In his first season starting with the number one job, Miller and his team won the first 10 games in a row. Miller was voted the starting goaltender for the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (NHL)
The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....
of the 2007 NHL All-Star Game. In a 12–9 loss, Miller played the first period and allowed three goals. Miller also gained a reputation of a shootout specialist with his technique of challenging the shooter outside the crease. That season he was 10–4 in shootouts, with Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur
Martin Pierre Brodeur is a French-Canadian ice hockey goaltender who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils. In his 19-year tenure with the Devils, he has won three Stanley Cup championships and has been in the playoffs every year but two...
of the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
being his closest rival at 10 wins and 6 losses. In 63 games played that season, Miller posted a 0.911 SVP and a 2.72 GAA backing a more offensively oriented team.
In the post-season of that year, the Sabres advanced to their second conference finals in as many years, losing to the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in five games. Miller posted a .922 SVP and 2.22 GAA in the playoffs.
On October 11, the Sabres won their second home game of the 2007–08 season with a 6–0 win over the Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
. Miller had the shutout stopping 20 shots in a game following the death of his 18-year-old cousin, Matt, who had died the Monday before of a complication with a bone-marrow transplant. At the close of the game, Miller raised his stick to the home crowd in tribute and received star honors for his effort in net.
Miller's current helmet design has the words "Matt Man" on the back in remembrance.
On January 1, 2008, Miller played with the Sabres in the AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic
AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic
The 2008 NHL Winter Classic also known as the AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic was a National Hockey League game played on January 1, 2008, at 1:27 p.m. ET, outdoors at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. It was the first regular-season outdoor professional ice hockey game to be played in...
, which was the first outdoor NHL game to be held in the United States. The game was played at Ralph Wilson Stadium
Ralph Wilson Stadium
Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL...
, home to the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, in Orchard Park, New York
Orchard Park (town), New York
Orchard Park is a town in Erie County, New York, a suburb southeast of Buffalo, New York. According to the 2010 census, the population is 29,054. This represents an increase of 5.13% from the 2000 census figure. The town contains a village also named Orchard Park. Orchard Park is one of the...
. The Sabres lost in a shoot-out to the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
, but Miller only allowed one goal (out of 25 shots) in regulation. Miller previously played outdoors in the Cold War
Cold War (ice hockey)
The Cold War was a college ice hockey game played between U.S. college rivals Michigan State University and the University of Michigan on Saturday, October 6, 2001...
– a game between Michigan and Michigan State held in 2001.
On March 28, 2008, Miller played in his 73rd game of the season, breaking the Sabres franchise record for most games played in a season, passing Grant Fuhr
Grant Fuhr
Grant Scott Fuhr is a Canadian former ice hockey goaltender in the National Hockey League and currently the goaltending coach for the Phoenix Coyotes. In 2003, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame...
, Dominik Hašek
Dominik Hašek
Dominik Hašek is a Czech ice hockey goaltender who is currently with HC Spartak Moscow of the KHL.In his 16-season National Hockey League career, he played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and the Ottawa Senators. During his years in Buffalo, he became one of the...
and Martin Biron
Martin Biron
Martin Gaston Biron is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He has also played professionally for the Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers, and New York Islanders...
. Miller finished the season with 76 games played, recording a 2.64 GAA and a .906 SVP.
On July 18, 2008, Miller signed a five-year contract extension worth $31.25 million with the Sabres. The contract took effect at the start of the 2009–10 season. Miller suffered a high-end ankle sprain on February 22, 2009, in a game against the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
, which kept him out of action until late March. Despite Miller's strong 34–18–6 record during the 2008–09 NHL season
2008–09 NHL season
The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
, the Sabres narrowly missed out on qualifying for a playoff berth.
Miller's popularity in both Buffalo and for U.S. hockey has spawned several nicknames including Miller Time (after the Miller brewing company's advertising slogan). While the Toronto media has nicknamed him the "Leaf Killer: Ryan Miller" for his excellent success against one of the Sabres top rivals the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In the 2009–10 NHL season
2009–10 NHL season
The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010...
, Miller played exceptionally, with a GAA of under 2.00 before the Olympic break. He finished the season with a 2.22 GAA and a .929 SV%. He led the Buffalo Sabres to a Northeast Division title and posted 41 wins, breaking his former record of 40 wins posted in 2006–07. His play became even more popular around the U.S after being nominated for the Vezina Trophy
Vezina Trophy
The Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the 30 General Managers of the teams in the National Hockey League vote to determine the goaltender who was the most valuable to his team...
for the league's best goaltender. On June 23, 2010, in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, at the 2010 NHL Award Ceremony, Miller was announced as the winner of the 2010 Vezina Trophy beating New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
goaltender Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur
Martin Pierre Brodeur is a French-Canadian ice hockey goaltender who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils. In his 19-year tenure with the Devils, he has won three Stanley Cup championships and has been in the playoffs every year but two...
and Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov
Ilya Bryzgalov
Ilya Nikolayevich Bryzgalov is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League after being acquired by the team on June 7, 2011. He was selected in the second round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, 44th overall, by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.In...
. That same night, Miller also became the first American player to win the NHL Foundation Player Award
NHL Foundation Player Award
The NHL Foundation Player Award is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player "who applies the core values of hockey—commitment, perseverance and teamwork—to enrich the lives of people in his community". The winner is given a grant of US$25,000 to help causes that the winner supports...
.
Late in the 2010–11 NHL season
2010–11 NHL season
The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech...
, on March 29, 2011, during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, despite finishing the game in a 4-3 losing cause, Miller suffered what was later reported to be an "upper body injury". Initial speculation on the specifics of Miller's injury ranged from a concussion resulting from a Brian Rolston
Brian Rolston
Brian Lee Rolston is a professional ice hockey player and an alternate captain for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League. He has won a Stanley Cup Championship with the New Jersey Devils in 1995, and the World Cup of Hockey in 1996 playing for Team USA...
shot that rang off his mask, to a bruised collarbone from from a Dion Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League...
shot.
International play
As a member of the Sabres, Miller was made a reserve for Team USAUnited States national men's hockey team
The United States men's national ice hockey team is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado with its U18 and U17 development program in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The team is controlled by USA Hockey...
at the 2006 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics
-Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and...
in Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, but did not play. Miller was selected as starting goalie for the United States hockey team in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Miller led the team to a perfect 5-0 start, including a 5-3 win over gold-medal favorite Canada in the preliminary round, stopping 42 of 45 shots. The five wins, including victories over Switzerland and Finland in the quarterfinals and semifinals respectively, brought the US to the gold medal game, where they faced Canada for the second time. In the gold medal game, the US lost 3-2 in overtime despite Miller's 36 saves, as Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
scored the game-winner in his second scoring attempt, after his first was saved by Miller. The US team won the silver medal, and Miller was named MVP of the tournament, with a save percentage of .946 and an American Olympic record GAA of 1.35. Miller also won IIHF best goaltender honours and was named to the All-Star team.
Steadfast Foundation
Miller, along with his father Dean, started the Steadfast Foundation which supports cancer patients and their families.Regular season
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | W | L | T/OTL | MIN | GA | SO | GAA Goals against average Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender.... |
SV% Save percentage Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops... |
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| 1999–00 | Michigan State University Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey The Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents Michigan State University . The team plays at the Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, Michigan, on the MSU campus. The current head coach is Tom Anastos, who took over coaching duties on March 23, 2011,... |
CCHA Central Collegiate Hockey Association The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship... |
25 | 16 | 5 | 3 | 1525 | 39 | 8 | 1.54 | 0.932 |
| 2000–01 | Michigan State University | CCHA | 40 | 31 | 5 | 4 | 2448 | 54 | 10 | 1.33 | 0.950 |
| 2001–02 | Michigan State University | CCHA | 40 | 26 | 9 | 5 | 2412 | 71 | 8 | 1.77 | 0.936 |
| 2002–03 2002–03 AHL season The 2002–03 AHL season was the 67th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs finished first overall in the regular season... |
Rochester Americans Rochester Americans The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
47 | 23 | 18 | 5 | 2815 | 10 | 2 | 2.34 | 0.920 |
| 2002–03 | Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
15 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 912 | 40 | 1 | 2.63 | 0.902 |
| 2003–04 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 177 | 15 | 0 | 5.08 | 0.795 |
| 2003–04 2003–04 AHL season The 2003–04 AHL season was the 68th season of the American Hockey League. The league introduces the Willie Marshall Award in honour the career points leader in the AHL, and awards it to the annual top goal scorer.... |
Rochester Americans | AHL | 60 | 27 | 25 | 7 | 3579 | 132 | 5 | 2.21 | 0.925 |
| 2004–05 2004–05 AHL season The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
Rochester Americans | AHL | 63 | 41 | 17 | 4 | 370 | 153 | 8 | 2.45 | 0.922 |
| 2005–06 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 48 | 30 | 14 | 3 | 2862 | 124 | 1 | 2.60 | 0.914 |
| 2005–06 2005–06 AHL season The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals.... |
Rochester Americans | AHL | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 120 | 5 | 0 | 2.50 | 0.889 |
| 2006–07 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 63 | 40 | 16 | 6 | 3692 | 168 | 2 | 2.73 | 0.911 |
| 2007–08 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 76 | 36 | 27 | 10 | 4474 | 197 | 3 | 2.64 | 0.906 |
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 59 | 34 | 18 | 6 | 3443 | 145 | 5 | 2.53 | 0.918 |
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 69 | 41 | 18 | 8 | 4047 | 150 | 5 | 2.22 | 0.929 |
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 66 | 34 | 22 | 8 | 3829 | 165 | 5 | 2.59 | 0.916 |
| NHL totals | 399 | 221 | 126 | 41 | 23437 | 1004 | 22 | 2.57 | 0.915 | ||
Playoffs
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–03 | Rochester Americans | AHL | 3 | 1 | 2 | 190 | 13 | 0 | 4.11 | .856 |
| 2003–04 | Rochester Americans | AHL | 14 | 7 | 7 | 857 | 26 | 2 | 1.82 | .934 |
| 2004–05 | Rochester Americans | AHL | 9 | 5 | 4 | 547 | 24 | 0 | 2.63 | .909 |
| 2005–06 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 18 | 11 | 7 | 1123 | 48 | 1 | 2.56 | .908 |
| 2006–07 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 16 | 9 | 7 | 1029 | 38 | 0 | 2.22 | .922 |
| 2009–10 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 6 | 2 | 4 | 384 | 15 | 0 | 2.34 | .926 |
| 2010–11 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 7 | 3 | 4 | 410 | 20 | 2 | 2.93 | .917 |
| NHL totals | 47 | 25 | 22 | 2946 | 121 | 3 | 2.46 | .917 | ||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | W | L | T/OTL | MIN | GA | SO | GAA Goals against average Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender.... |
SV% Save percentage Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops... |
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| 2006 Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament The men's tournament in ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics was held in Turin, Italy, from 15 to 26 February. Twelve teams competed, with Sweden winning the gold medal, Finland winning silver, and the Czech Republic winning bronze. It was the third Olympic tournament to feature National Hockey... |
USA | Oly 2006 Winter Olympics The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter... |
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| 2010 | USA | Oly 2010 Winter Olympics The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University... |
6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 355 | 8 | 1 | 1.35 | .946 |
| Olympic totals | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 355 | 8 | 1 | 1.35 | .946 | ||
College
- CCHA First All-Star Team (2001, 2002)
- NCAA West First All-American Team (2001, 2002)
- CCHA Player of the Year (2001, 2002)
- Hobey Baker Memorial Award (Top U.S. Collegiate Player) (2001)
- C-Bone Classic Champion (2001)
- CCHA Second All-Star Team (2000)
AHL
- AHLAmerican Hockey LeagueThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
First All-Star Team (20052004–05 AHL seasonThe 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season...
) - Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award (Outstanding Goaltender – AHL) (2005)
NHL
- Starter for the Eastern ConferenceEastern Conference (NHL)The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....
in NHL All-Star Game (2007) - NHL Foundation Player AwardNHL Foundation Player AwardThe NHL Foundation Player Award is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player "who applies the core values of hockey—commitment, perseverance and teamwork—to enrich the lives of people in his community". The winner is given a grant of US$25,000 to help causes that the winner supports...
(2010) - Vezina TrophyVezina TrophyThe Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the 30 General Managers of the teams in the National Hockey League vote to determine the goaltender who was the most valuable to his team...
for top goaltenderGoaltenderIn ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
(2010) - NHL First All-Star Team (2010)
International
- MVP of the 2010 Olympic hockey tournament
- Best Goaltender of the 2010 Olympic hockey tournament
- All-star selection of the 2010 Olympic hockey tournament