Kings’ Todd McLellan: Ryan Miller “Meant An Incredible Amount” to Hockey

Following Saturday’s loss, Todd McLellan and the Kings made their respects to goaltender Ryan Miller, who announced his retirement at season’s end.

Earlier this week, veteran netminder Ryan Miller announced that he will retire at the end of this season. On Saturday, he played his final game against the LA Kings, and possibly his last game in the NHL.

While he may never have played for the LA Kings, Miller nonetheless left a positive impact on the game of hockey overall, especially in the United States. Following Saturday’s contest — Miller’s 391st-career victory — the Kings shook off the disappointment of their defeat to pay their respects to the 18-year NHL veteran, including head coach Todd McLellan.

Following Saturday’s loss, McLellan spoke about Miller, his impact on the game of hockey, and what he said to him after the game.

“He’s meant an incredible amount to the sport of hockey, especially in the U.S.,” the Kings head coach observed. “When he entered the league, hockey was obviously big, but the number of quality goaltenders that are turning out in the U.S. now [is] due, I think, in large part to his success, his participation, his willingness to give himself to his country.”

Miller represented his native United States multiple times but arguably the most notable of these instances came at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Miller backstopped Team USA to great success at the tournament, leading his team to the gold-medal game. Unfortunately for Miller and company, they lost to Team Canada in an overtime heartbreaker and settled for the silver medal, as a result. Still, Miller’s impact on the game speaks for itself.

Beginning his NHL career in Buffalo, the native of East Lansing, Mich., was given the unenviable task of succeeding the great Dominik Hasek as the Sabres’ No. 1 netminder. Miller answered the call with flying colors, helping the Sabres achieve great regular-season success, leading his team to back-to-back Eastern Finals, and winning the Vezina Trophy in 2010.

As McLellan noted, Miller’s influence helped a slew of American goaltenders succeed at the NHL level. Three of those netminders, by the way, were on hand on Saturday night: Anaheim’s John Gibson, a Pittsburgh native, and the Kings duo of Cal Petersen (Waterloo, IA) and Jonathan Quick (Milford, CT). The latter even has two Stanley Cups and a Conn Smythe Trophy to his name. He also hopes to catch Miller in the race for most wins by an American-born goaltender. Quick currently has 335 wins, 56 behind Miller.

The Kings head coach continued speaking about the soon-to-be-retired netminder.

“You know, you hear things around the league about players and you never hear a negative thing about this guy,” McLellan said of Miller. “He’s a positive guy all the time, he loves the game, loves playing it. I’m sure there’s going to be sticks in his driveway, nets all over the place with his young [son] over time. When we met with him, everybody, I’m sure, shared different things with him. I just told him to enjoy life now with his wife and his son and to give them all the time that he has, and I’m sure he will.”

In 23 games against the LA Kings, Ryan Miller went 12-6-4 with a 2.30 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage. The Michigan State alum made his mark on hockey with a vengeance and for his contributions, should be at least in the conversation for future induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Whether you love him or hate him, though, you have to give proper respect to Ryan Miller, whose impact on the game of hockey speaks for itself. So, here’s to the 40-year-old and a happy and healthy post-playing career.

Happy trails, Mr. Miller.