Tigers#1
08-26-2002, 06:23 PM
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Goaltender Ryan Miller will forgo his senior season at Michigan State after agreeing to a two-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres on Monday.
The Sabres fifth-round pick in the 1999 draft, Miller bolsters Buffalo's promising young goalie corps, which already includes returning starter Martin Biron and backup Mika Noronen.
Miller emerged as a star player with the Spartans. He became the second goalie to win the Hobey Baker Award in 2000-01, given to college hockey's top player.
The Sabres were scheduled to introduce Miller at a press conference later Monday.
Along with winning the Hobey Baker, the 6-foot-2, 160-pound Miller led the nation in almost every significant category the past two seasons.
Last year, he posted a 29-9-5 record, leading the nation with a 1.77 goals-against average, 93.6 save percentage and eight shutouts. In three seasons, Miller finished with a 76-19-12 record.
``Every player in college, there's going to come a time when the opportunity to further his pro career will take precedence over finishing his college career,'' said Mike Liut, Miller's agent and a former NHL goalie. ``It's not a decision that's made cavalierly, you have to weigh it out, and much of it has to do with how they've performed.
``And with Ryan, he's accomplished to a large extent what there is to accomplish.''
The Sabres are expected to allow Miller to develop with AHL Rochester this season.
Liut said Miller is comfortable with starting in the minors.
``There's never anything wrong with taking that step process of establishing a career, and that's the objective,'' Liut said.
The Sabres fifth-round pick in the 1999 draft, Miller bolsters Buffalo's promising young goalie corps, which already includes returning starter Martin Biron and backup Mika Noronen.
Miller emerged as a star player with the Spartans. He became the second goalie to win the Hobey Baker Award in 2000-01, given to college hockey's top player.
The Sabres were scheduled to introduce Miller at a press conference later Monday.
Along with winning the Hobey Baker, the 6-foot-2, 160-pound Miller led the nation in almost every significant category the past two seasons.
Last year, he posted a 29-9-5 record, leading the nation with a 1.77 goals-against average, 93.6 save percentage and eight shutouts. In three seasons, Miller finished with a 76-19-12 record.
``Every player in college, there's going to come a time when the opportunity to further his pro career will take precedence over finishing his college career,'' said Mike Liut, Miller's agent and a former NHL goalie. ``It's not a decision that's made cavalierly, you have to weigh it out, and much of it has to do with how they've performed.
``And with Ryan, he's accomplished to a large extent what there is to accomplish.''
The Sabres are expected to allow Miller to develop with AHL Rochester this season.
Liut said Miller is comfortable with starting in the minors.
``There's never anything wrong with taking that step process of establishing a career, and that's the objective,'' Liut said.