Ex-Spartan star Ryan Miller to take spot on world stage

Ex-Spartan star Ryan Miller
to take spot on world stage

Neil Koepke • Lansing State Journal • February 12, 2010

All season long, Ryan Miller's focus has been about
providing the Buffalo Sabres with elite-level
goaltending.

Mission accomplished.

The former Michigan State All-American and East
Lansing native has been brilliant during the first f
our months of the National Hockey League season.

Late this weekend, however, Miller will turn his
focus to another challenge: leading Team USA to a
medal at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.
Preliminary-round games begin Tuesday.

"I think we have the talent to win. It's about coming
together as a team,'' said Miller, 29, who still calls
East Lansing home in the offseason.

It's not a surprise Miller will be America's starting
goalie. He's considered among the best in the
world. Still, Miller finds the singular attention to be
awkward.

"It's surreal,'' he said. "I've worked hard to put myself
in this position, but not so much for the recognition
as being part of a team that wins.

"There's nothing better than accomplishing
something as a group. It's one game, but ultimately
you want to keep it going and win (an NHL)
championship.''

Or an Olympic gold medal.

Canada will be the favorite for the gold medal, with
Russia and Sweden expected to contend. The
Americans are the underdogs.

"We have a young, talented team and we'll have a lot
of fun playing an up-tempo style,'' Miller said.
"We're focusing on coming together in the first three
(preliminary) games. We have to buy into the system
and I know I have to play at a certain level. If we play
hard and well, we'll be dangerous.''

Celebrity status

Miller's celebrity extends beyond the ice. He is the
face of the Sabres and one of the most popular
athletes in Buffalo. He's a mid-Michigan celebrity,
too. After all, he's one of "those" Millers - the first
family of Michigan State hockey. His cousin, Kevin,
is a former Olympian. His brother, Drew, plays for
the Detroit Red Wings.

But right now, Ryan Miller is on the largest stage -
in Vancouver - although he will miss the opening
ceremonies because NHL games are still going on.


Miller is using popularity to benefit others. In 2006,
he founded the Steadfast Foundation, a nonprofit
organization that is "dedicated to assisting those
afflicted and affected by the consequences of cancer
and especially childhood forms of the disease.''

He started the foundation in honor of his cousin,
Matt Schoals of DeWitt, who was diagnosed with
leukemia at age 16 in 2005.

"I had done hospital visits but it was never so real
as when Matt was diagnosed,'' Miller told NHL.com.
"He inspired it, but a lot of other young people did
as well.''

Schoals died in 2007, one month after his 18th
birthday. Miller still has "Matt Man" printed on the
back of his mask below a cartoon bulldog, dressed
in a green sweater with an "S" on it.

Giving back


"Ryan understands that he's in a position to make a
difference to influence young people and use his
status to make people aware how important it is to
give back,'' his mother, Teresa Miller, said.

"He's still very driven as an athlete, but he has a
certain confidence in himself that comes with age.
He's the same young man he always was, with solid
values and a good work ethic.''

Former MSU hockey coach Ron Mason can attest to
Miller's work ethic.

"He's always had the talent, skill and work ethic. He's
could focus better than almost every player I've
coached,'' Mason said. "He was always about the
next shot, making the saves."

More than hockey

But life for Miller is about more than stopping
speeding hockey pucks. He has numerous interests
outside the game, ranging from playing guitar,
sitting in with local bands in Buffalo, photography,
movies, discovering good restaurants and hanging
out with friends and family.

"It's been important for Ryan to have interests
outside of hockey,'' Teresa Miller said. "He's
involved in a lot of things and he's very good about
being staying close to us, his siblings and his
friends. I think it keeps him grounded.''