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Ryan Miller breaks record for most NHL wins by an American goaltender

MiHockey Staff


By @MichaelCaples –

There is a new Michigan native atop an all-time NHL wins list.

Sunday night, Ryan Miller became the new recordholder for most victories by an American-born goaltender.

The East Lansing native passed Detroit John Vanbiesbrouck after tying him on Dec. 9; Miller had been dealing with a knee injury ever since.

“Very satisfying being able to come off injury and make a difference in the game,” Miller said via the Ducks’ official website. “Pretty emotional for a couple reasons. When you have a knee injury, it’s always uncertain what’s going to happen. It took a lot longer than I hoped. But there was satisfaction tonight. The boys played a great game. I was able to get back in. I had a few clunky moments, but I worked through it. It’s quite a nice feeling to get the win.”

It’s the latest in a long list of achievements by the most famed member of the Miller clan.

A journey that started in East Lansing saw Miller compile a 73-19-12 mark, a 1.54 goals-against average, a .941 save percentage and an NCAA record 26 shutouts over three seasons with Michigan State, culminating in Miller winning the Hobey Baker Award in 2001. He was a two-time All-American and a two-time CCHA Player of the Year, as well, during his dominance in East Lansing.

From there, he started on a professional career that is still going strong 17 seasons later. Miller spent 12 seasons with the Buffalo Sabres – the team that drafted him in the fifth round of the 1999 NHL Draft. He spent nine seasons with the franchise, highlighted by a 2009-10 campaign where he won the Vezina Trophy.

In 2010, he was also the star goaltender of Team USA’s squad at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver; Miller led the U.S. to a silver medal while capturing MVP, Best Goaltender and All-Star Team honors.

When he was traded to St. Louis in March of 2014, he left Buffalo as the franchise leader with 284 wins and 540 games.

Since, he has suited up for the Blues, the Vancouver Canucks and now the Anaheim Ducks. The 38-year-old netminder has appeared in 746 total games, registering a 374-270-80 record with a career 2.60 goals-against average, a .915 save percentage and 43 shutouts.