Former MSU goalkeeper Ryan Miller, originally from East Lansing, has announced his retirement from the NHL

EAST LANSING, Michigan (WLNS) – After 18 seasons in the National Hockey League, Ryan Miller announced Thursday morning that he will be retiring at the end of the 2020-21 season. This is not only a bittersweet time for him, but also for his parents Dean and Teresa Miller.

They attended his retirement press conference that the Anaheim Ducks held for him through Zoom and mentioned how hard it is to believe how much time has passed.

“It was tough,” said Dean Miller. “He knew he was ready to retire, but you are not ready to retire yet,” added Teresa Miller. “He loves the game. He loves being on the team and I think it was very emotional for him to just say, “I’m not going to come back and do this job anymore. The job I love and worked hard on was tough. ”

The former Michigan State standout has played 794 games for Buffalo, Vancouver, St. Louis and currently Anaheim. Miller has 390 career wins, which is number one among American-born goalkeepers.

“He can still play at this world-class level but it costs him a lot,” said Dean.

Miller was drafted in 1999 by the Buffalo Sabers to the 138th overall rank. Ten years later, in the 2009/10 season, he took home the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper in the league.

That same year, Miller played goalkeeping for the US team that won a silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Miller was also named Most Valuable Player in the 2010 Men’s Olympic Hockey Tournament. Four years later, Miller was back representing his country for the 2014 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team in Russia.

A memory and a moment that his parents fondly remember.

“It was the whole atmosphere,” said Teresa. “It was close to many parents of other athletes. We always laugh because you go back to when they were little kids and you traveled with them and they all hung out at the hotel and had a great time and it was a bit like back then. ”

“What you learn with these guys at this level is that they are still those little boys,” added Dean. “It’s no different than when they were little children. It’s only men who shave every now and then. Not very often. ”

His success in the NHL should come as no surprise to see him play at MSU. Miller won the Hobey Baker Award in 2001, an award given to the NCAA’s best goalkeeper, and still holds the record in NCAA career at 26. Miller is the only goalkeeper in hockey history to have won the Best NCAA Goalkeeping Award, Best American Hockey League, Goalie Award, Top NHL Goalie Award, and MVP at the Olympics.

6 Sports Director Audrey Dahlgren sat down with Miller’s parents, Dean and Teresa, through Zoom to discuss their son’s historic career. You can see the full interview below.