USA TODAY International Edition
Rookie goaltender Miller helps Sabres get off to swift start
In a modern sports world where fans look for microwave- quick prospect development, the prevailing wisdom in the NHL is that goaltenders must still be aged and simmered until perfection.
In the spotlight
While much of the rookie attention is being placed on some of the outstanding 18-, 19- and 20- year olds, the rookie who might be having the biggest impact on his team is the Buffalo Sabres’ 25- year-old goalie, Ryan Miller. Four years after winning the Hobey Baker Trophy as college hockey’s best player, Miller has been a major factor in the Sabres’ best start in nearly 30 years.
“ We just have to understand that it takes longer to develop a goalie because it’s such a dif 1 cult position,” Buffalo general manager Darcy Regier says. “ There are only 60 of those guys and only 30 starters. By contrast, there are 180 defensemen and 360 forwards in the league. The maturation process is slower.”
While NHL players were locked out in 2004-05, Miller was able to play his third season in the American Hockey League.
“ My goal this season was just to make the ( Buffalo) team,” Miller says. “ I didn’tworry in what capacity. I justwanted to prove that I can play at this level.”
He has proved that with a 6- 2 record in the Sabres’ best start since they opened 8-0 in 1975- 76.
Although it’s early, for the time being he has ousted incumbent Martin Biron as No. 1. The Sabres also have Mika Noronen. Trading a goalie might help clear up the overcrowding, but Regier points out that because only 10% of the league schedule has been played, he still views his team’s goaltending situation as “ a work in progress.”
No one knew for sure Miller would move ahead of Biron, but the Sabres had a good idea last season when he was 41- 17 playing for Rochester ( N. Y.) in the AHL.
“ Last season gave me the opportunity to work on some things,” Miller says. “ But it also gave me a Set in net: Ryan Miller has taken over as the Sabres’ top goalie. chance to work with a team all season toward a common goal. Your goals at the AHL are usually to make the NHL instead of focusing on the team goals. But last year I was able to focus on the Rochester team goals, and I think that helped me. I wasn’t thinking aboutwhether I was going to get called up. I was thinking about just winning games and having team success.”
Regier says con 1 dence, consistency and experience have made a difference for Miller. “ He reads the game better,” Regier says. “ He’s a better hockey player.”
Coming into the season, Miller was viewed as the probable No. 3 goaltender on the U. S. Olympic team. The New York Islanders’ Rick DiPietro is the presumed favorite, but Miller’s start has been the best among U.S. netminders. The team must be named by Dec. 22.
“ My approach is that I’m trying to play aswell as I can for the Buffalo Sabres,” Miller says. “ And if I get rewarded for that with a trip to Italy, I’m going to be ecstatic.”