Former Canucks goalie Ryan Miller announces retirement
After 794 games and 18 seasons, Ryan Miller is ready to call it a career.
The former Vancouver Canucks goaltender has announced that he will retire at the end of the season, which concludes for the Anaheim Ducks next week. Anaheim has just two home games remaining for Miller to be saluted by the Ducks’ limited-capacity hometown crowd.
“It was a dream come true when I played my first NHL game and it has been a privilege to spend 18 years as a professional,” Miller said in a press release. “I have decided that I am going to retire after the season having been given more time doing what I love than I could ever have hoped for.
“Thank you to you my teammates and staff, past and present. I’m thankful to so many who made my career possible and helped me on my journey from youth hockey to the NHL. Thank you to my family for supporting me with so much love and enthusiasm.”
Miller posted a .914 save percentage in three seasons with the Canucks, despite playing on some poor teams during the Willie Desjardins era from 2014 to 2017. He had a tough act to follow after Roberto Luongo’s departure, but was commended for being a consummate professional in Vancouver.
“Always a fierce competitor and a tremendous teammate,” the Canucks said in a statement posted on social media. “Thank you for contributing to our community while you were in Vancouver Ryan. Congratulations on an amazing career!”
Miller endeared himself to Canucks fans on November 5, 2016, when he dropped the gloves with Matt Martin, after the Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer jumped Troy Stecher during his rookie season.
Miller’s best years were in Buffalo, where he won the Vezina Trophy in 2010. The East Lansing, Michigan native may have had the best moment of his career in Vancouver though, during the 2010 Olympics, when he was named tournament MVP after leading the USA to a silver medal.
The 40-year-old veteran is the all-time leader among US-born goalies in wins, and second in shutouts and games played with Buffalo, St. Louis, Vancouver, and Anaheim. Overall, Miller will retire in 14th place in wins, to go with a 2.64 goals-against average and .914 save percentage during his career.
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