Ryan Miller’s 17-season NHL career came to a close Saturday evening when his Anaheim Ducks lost 4-3 to the Minnesota Wild in overtime.
Miller played in 796 games, winning 391, the most ever for an American goalie. He’s the most successful player from a classic hockey family; his brother and three cousins all played at Michigan State, as he did, and eventually made it to the NHL.
It doesn’t take much to imagine the sort of sacrifices his parents made to get him to this point. Stories of parents getting up long before dawn to drive to far-flung rinks after working all week to pay for ice time and equipment are pretty standard in hockey.
And you can tell, from the absolutely heartbreaking look he gave his parents in the moments after his career ended, that Miller is so thankful.
Ryan Miller shares an emotional moment with his parents after his last NHL game. 🧡 pic.twitter.com/mEqAYk6Bkq
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2021
Yeah. I’m going to need a moment.
Maybe more than a moment.
Miller had gotten a standing ovation earlier in the game, and NHL players have been going out of their way to shake his hand after games.
What a moment. 🧡
Ryan Miller gets a standing ovation in his final NHL game. 👏 pic.twitter.com/Pk6mSfUpoe
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2021
His teammates clearly love him, too.
What a ride, Ryan Miller skates off the NHL ice one final time🥺🥰#FlyTogether | @AnaheimDucks pic.twitter.com/1oveRLrfaq
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) May 9, 2021
Miller was a very good player for a long time and deserves every kudos for his excellent career. He was also one of the few players to stand up and thank Akim Aliu for speaking out against racism and abuse in hockey. Here’s hoping Miller stays around the game and helps to improve the culture of the sport.
