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Former MSU goaltender Ryan Miller takes on new role as Team USA assistant coach

September 22, 2021
<p>Ryan Miller and Ron Mason, 2001. State News File Photo</p>

Ryan Miller and Ron Mason, 2001. State News File Photo

Photo by Danyelle Morrow | The State News

Ryan Miller, a former MSU goalie and the winningest American Goalie in NHL history with 391 game wins, a 2.64 GAA and a .914 save percentage will take on his new role of assistant coach for the Team USA Olympic hockey team. 

Miller’s decorated career includes 18 years in the NHL playing for four teams, playing for Team USA five different times and winning numerous awards while breaking a variety of records. 

“Just a chance to be a part of the Olympic games again is a tremendous honor,” Miller said. “To see it from the other side is going to be, I think, pretty interesting and pretty cool. I get to do it in a different way.” 

Born and raised in East Lansing, Miller is the third generation of his family to play hockey at Michigan State.

He spent three seasons playing goaltender and quickly became one to remember. 

Miller broke the NCAA record with 26 shutouts and recorded a .941 career save percentage along with a 1.54 GAA while being awarded the Hobey Baker Award in 2001. 

From then on, Miller would go on to spend 18 seasons in the NHL under four teams. He will now transition from retirement to being an assistant coach under Team USA for the 2022 Olympic games in Beijing. 

“I was looking for a way to transition, get some experiences in different areas of hockey and this opportunity came up with USA Hockey,” Miller said. “These tournaments are such a high level and I don’t have as much experience on the coaching side but I thought I could contribute with my experience at the Olympic Games and with USA hockey.” 

Miller was the starting goaltender at the 2010 Winter Games for Team USA and led the team to a 5-0 start, eventually bringing home a silver medal for the USA. He broke two Olympic records and won best goaltender honors from International Ice Hockey Federation along with being named to the All-Star Team. 

Team USA will include all NHL players, who will transition from their professional seasons to preparing for the Olympic games in a short turnaround time. Miller’s recent retirement and relatability to the players will make him a great asset for Team USA. 

“My job is not so much to be coaching and trying to critique anything they’re doing, just kind of supporting them and giving them information they might need,” Miller said. 

The team will travel to Beijing for the 2022 Winter Games, which will begin Feb.4 and continue to Feb. 20.

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