Michigan State hockey goalie Ryan Miller gets U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame call

Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press
·2 min read
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It’s about 650 miles from East Lansing to Eveleth, Minnesota, in the northern part of the state — or about a 12-hour drive.

But former Michigan State goalie Ryan Miller will have taken about 20 years to traverse the path from Spartans standout to one of five new members of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Hall announced its Class of 2022 on Thursday; Miller joins Steve Cash, a three-time Paralympic gold winner; sisters Jocelyn Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando, longtime Team USA stars; and Jim Johannson, a longtime Team USA executive.

Goalie Ryan Miller blocks a shot during his playing days at Michigan State University.
Goalie Ryan Miller blocks a shot during his playing days at Michigan State University.

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They will be inducted during a ceremony Nov. 30 at the Hall.

"These five individuals have had a tremendously positive impact on hockey in America," USA Hockey president Mike Trimboli said in a release Thursday. "They have all made countless contributions to the game throughout their impressive careers and their impact will be felt for years to come. We look forward to honoring them as the 50th class of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in November."

After Miller starred at Michigan State, the East Lansing native went on to play 18 seasons (2002-21) in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks. His 391 victories are the most of any U.S.-born goalie — 17 more than John Vanbiesbrouck. Miller, a fifth-round pick by the Sabres in 1999 (No. 138 overall), finished his NHL career with a 2.64 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage in 796 games. The Sabres will retire the 42-year-old’s No. 30 in January.

A 2007 NHL All-Star, Miller won the 2010 Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goalie in his seventh season. He also finished sixth in Vezina voting in his fourth season and eighth in Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) voting in his third.

FILE - Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller reaches out with his glove to stop the puck during an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Buffalo, N.Y., Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014. The Buffalo Sabres are honoring their franchise goalie leader in wins and games played by retiring Ryan Miller's No. 30 jersey next season. The team made the announcement by releasing a video on Friday, June 10, 2022, which showed Miller being informed of the honor while touring the Sabres arena with his family. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert, File)

In three seasons with the Spartans, Miller went 73-19-12 with a 1.50 GAA. Miller led MSU to the NCAA tournament Frozen Four in 2001 and CCHA titles in 2000 and 2001.

Johannson also has ties to the state of Michigan. An exec with the U.S. National Development Team based in Ann Arbor and Plymouth, he was instrumental in securing the purchase of USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth from the former Plymouth Whalers.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State hockey's Ryan Miller gets U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame call