The bloodlines have been there for generations. Miller's older brother, Ryan, has been one of the game's top goaltenders for over a decade, a Vezina Trophy recipient and an Olympian.

Cousin Kip Ryan won the 1990 Hobey Baker Award and suited up for 449 NHL games. Kip's brothers, Kelly and Kevin, carved out 15- and 13-year NHL careers, respectively.

The Miller lineage at Michigan State stretches back even further. Ten members of the family wore Spartan green as well.

In three years at East Lansing, Miller, who was born in Dover, New Jersey, upheld the school family legacy, increasing his point total each year while refining his game without the puck. His final season at Michigan State he was named captain, led the team in scoring and was named the conference's best defensive forward.

On May 4, 2006, he signed with the Anaheim Ducks, who'd chosen the fleet left winger in the sixth round (No. 186) in the 2003 NHL Draft. Miller's stay in the organization would be spent mainly in the minors, but he did play in three postseason games in 2007 and win a Stanley Cup.

Unable to secure an everyday role in Anaheim, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Aug. 13, 2009, but his stay in Florida didn't last long enough for him to put down any roots. After 14 games, Miller was placed on waivers and claimed by the Detroit Red Wings on Nov. 11, 2009.

The move back to Michigan resuscitated his career. His first year in Detroit he nearly matched his entire regular-season resume in Anaheim and Tampa, playing in 66 games.

Miller's speed, tenacity, willingness to block shots and penalty-killing acumen are highly valued by the Wings. But his Detroit career has been compromised by injury - two facial lacerations that required 60 stitches to close when sliced open by a skate in March of 2015, then a broken jaw nine months later. Two games after returning from that significant setback, he suffered an ACL tear in his left knee that required reconstructive surgery.

With an existing three-year contract set to run out June 27, 2016, the Wings extended Miller for another season.