Ducks Goalie Miller on the Verge of History

To be in the same vein as some of the all-time greatest U.S.-born goaltenders is something Ryan Miller doesn't take for granted. The names Vanbiesbrouck, Barrasso and Richter are iconic. So, too, is Miller. The four of them hold the distinction of being the only U.S. goaltenders in NHL history to have 300 or more wins. Richter has 301, Barrasso has 369 and Vanbiesbrouck and Miller each have 374 - for now.

Growing up in East Lansing, Michigan, Miller idolized them all. "I looked up to all those guys," he says. "I grew up during a time when they were all in their prime. Watching them play, knowing they're American goaltenders, it was definitely inspirational.
"The position really has been dominated by Canadian players. Even the Europeans get the notoriety. Just seeing guys who were American-born, coming through similar avenues you hope to go through, like with Richter, a college-type player, and Barrasso coming straight out of Massachusetts high school, you can relate to that kind of stuff."
No longer is it a matter of "if" when it comes to Miller breaking Vanbiesbrouck's all-time mark of 374 career victories. It's a matter of when. Miller's most recent victory (an improbable 6-5 comeback over the Washington Capitals on December 2) came in a game he didn't even start. The 38-year-old netminder took over for John Gibson at the 13:19 mark of the first period when the Ducks were trailing, 3-1. It got to 5-1 before the Ducks scored five unanswered goals in the second and third periods, including the go-ahead tally late in regulation to pull off a feat never done before in their franchise's history. It marked the first time in club history the Ducks have rallied from four goals down to win on the road (and first such comeback win in regulation). Miller said it was fitting a victory in that fashion would also represent a milestone.
"It seemed like the game kind of encapsulated everything in a career," Miller said, with a smile. "You need to have your teammates having a night, and you need to have resolve. You have to stick with it because not everything is going to go your way. It was an appropriate game to reach a personal milestone. When you look back on it, it's a lot of games and a lot of guys trying to do their part to win. Even though it's unlikely, it's how I feel about my career."

He never imagined playing as long as he has, 16 years in the NHL and counting. "It's very unlikely it was going to be this long," he says. "You never picture yourself in a certain light. When you're a kid, you dream about it. At a certain point, you're doing it, so it's kind of surreal. So 16 years later, it still trips me out a little bit. This is what I get to do. It's unlikely to me even though I put a lot of hard work in. Not a lot of people get to do exactly what they want to do when they were a kid."
Miller won't bring it up unless you ask him, and even then he prefers to think in the present. But he admits career victory No. 375 is on his mind. "I'll be happy," Miller said. "It'll be more like reflection. If and when it happens, it can be a reflection point. It's more of a check point. You have to keep moving along the path. Right now, I can see it. We're right there. As we pass by, it'll feel good, but hopefully the path we're on leads us to some other stuff I'm hoping to accomplish."
He didn't get to this point in his career by coasting by. He is universally respected for his professionalism and tireless work ethic. To be competitive at his age is a testament to his preparation and dedication to his craft. "I remember skating with him when I was 16 years old," said fellow American and current Ducks teammate Ryan Kesler, who grew up in Michigan and watched Miller play goalie for Michigan State. "He's always a goalie who works extremely hard in practice, and it transfers over into a game. Good teammate. Goes about his business. Good professional who does work every day. You can always count on him. He's ready whenever he's called upon."
Like the rest of the Ducks, Kesler is eagerly awaiting Miller's next victory. "When he gets it, it speaks of him and all the years he's put in this league. All the hard work. It's going to happen to a really good guy."
Ducks goaltending coach Sudarshan Maharaj has been instrumental in the success of the Gibson-Miller tandem. Last season, under Maharaj's guidance, the Ducks established a franchise-record with a .923 save percentage, which co-led all NHL teams. In addition, both Miller (.928) and Gibson (.926) surpassed the individual single-season franchise record for SV% (.924, Jonas Hiller in 2010-11, Gibson in 2016-17).
"When you talk about a professional approach to the position, you're not going to get a more detailed approach than his," said Maharaj. "It's fantastic. You almost wish you can video tape him and show the young goalies in our system what it means to be a professional."
Miller's presence has had a profound impact on Gibson's game, Maharaj says. "He's fantastic for Gibby. He's such a great role model in terms of how to approach the game. He's extremely supportive and an excellent teammate. He's always willing and ready to jump in when need be. I can't say anything but positives about his impact on Gibby."
When asked what it would mean to see a guy like Miller become the all-time leader in victories among U.S.-born goaltenders, Maharaj couldn't help but smile. "Any time you can be a part of such an amazing accomplishment, you feel great. I can truly say I'm not just his coach. I'm his fan. I see the dedication, the work ethic, the cerebral approach to the game. You can't not wish nothing but good things for somebody like that. Everything he's gotten, he's earned."

Miller knows he wouldn't be where is today without the unwavering support of his wife, Noureen, an actress with credits that include several movies and the TV show Anger Management. "My wife has been amazing," he said. "It's hard on any family with the job we play, but when you add a child and a career, there are a lot of busy days in our house. A lot of up and down between different worlds. I know she's happy for me, and I appreciate her letting me do what I need to do."
He's proud of his career, and hopes his impact on the sport can inspire the future stars of the game, especially when it comes to USA Hockey. "You do the best you can," Miller said. "You want to be proud of the games you played. Hopefully it's inspiration. The top of the list is still [Canadians] Martin Brodeur [691 wins], Patrick Roy [551 wins] and Ed Belfour [484]. You have to go down the list a little ways before you hit me and John [Vanbiesbrouck]. It shows the growth of USA Hockey."
Miller admits his place atop the list will only be temporary, but he's fine with that. "I'm just going to enjoy it while it's there," he said. "It's not a record I think will be mine for long. There are a lot of guys coming up. American goaltending has only been getting stronger. As the years tick by, I'm sure it'll come in jeopardy and fall. It'll be because the game has gotten more popular in the U.S., which is great."