College Hockey annually awards its most outstanding player the Hobey Baker Memorial Award. College hockey’s version of the Heisman, this is a prestigious award that recognizes not the ‘MVP’, but the most outstanding player of the season. The only goalie to ever win the award was Michigan State’s own, and East Lansing native, Ryan Miller. Miller is one of the most celebrated goalies in USA Hockey history. His career with the Buffalo Sabres, and now a number of other franchises, has earned him a place in NHL lore. However, he will probably be best remembered by millennial hockey fans for his play between the pipes for Team USA in the 2010 Olympics. The United States played host nation Canada to a close overtime loss. Team USA had previously beaten Canada in group play. Miller was still named the tournament MVP and the IIHF’s best goaltender.
Ryan Miller comes from a family of Spartans. Ten members of his family are proud Spartan hockey alums. One of his cousins, Kip Miller, was a Hobey Baker winner for the Spartans in 1990. His younger brother Drew played a pivotal role killing penalties for the Detroit Red Wings, and enjoyed a long NHL career doing such. Much like Magic Johnson, Denzel Valentine and Bryn Forbes, Miller stayed home to wear the green and white.
Never has college hockey seen such a phenomenal netminder. In 2001, he led the nation in every important goaltending category: wins, winning percentage, save percentage, goals against average and shutouts. In addition to winning the Hobey Baker, he was also awarded the Big Ten-Jesse Owens Athlete of the Year. In all of his years between the pipes for the Spartans, he was named the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s goalie of the year. Twice he was named the conference’s MVP.
Ryan Miller is truly one of Michigan State’s finest student athletes in history. His dedication to the university and hockey program are unmatched. It is absolutely important to remember a player like Miller. In a game where forwards dazzle and smooth-skating defensemen put up points (and win the award), it is unlikely that we will ever see a goalie win this prestigious award again.