Ryan Miller: A Rare Find From Awful Draft Class

The first overall pick in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Patrik Stefan, was looked at as a can't-miss prospect and the Atlanta Thrashers didn't see a reason to believe otherwise. Well, he did miss, an empty net actually, in a moment that symbolizes his short stay in the league and the overall draft from that year.

Out of the top 30 selections, only eight are competing in the National Hockey League: Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Tim Connolly, Taylor Pyatt, Jamie Lundmark, Barret Jackman, Nick Boynton and Martin Havlat. Fourth overall choice after the twins was Pavel Brendl, a Czech native who had made a name for himself with the Calgary Hitmen. Originally owned by the New York Rangers, he would go on to represent Philadelphia, Carolina and Phoenix with a combined 22 points in 78 games.

Like his fellow countryman Stefan, Brendl didn't live up to the hype but has amassed a season in the Swedish Elitserien and KHL as the leading goal-scorer since his departure. Goaltender Brian Finley (sixth overall) started four NHL contests and right after him came Kris Beech, a forward who played for three different clubs throughout his final campaign.

Branizlav Mezai (tenth overall) and Oleg Saprykin (11th overall) each played a couple hundred games. Former Sabre Jeff Jillson (14th overall) earned 140 games, David Tanabe (16th overall) was one shy of 450, Konstantin Koltsov (18th overall) spent a few years in Pittsburgh and Steve McCarthy (23rd overall) competed in just over 300 contests. The remaining ten names either never made their debut or took part in less than 100 league matches. Some first round that is.

Coincidentally, Wayne Gretzky's jersey retirement was declared prior to the draft and every first-round selection would see the number 99 on the back of their first NHL sweater upon being chosen. Nothing says pressure like being handed the Great One's digits under your name and some of these kids never stood a chance.

Over a dozen players who were drafted later on have managed to create stays in the NHL such as Mike Commodore (42nd overall), Jordan Leopold (44th overall), Matt Carkner (58th overall), Niklas Hagman (70th overall), Craig Anderson (77th overall), Mike Comrie (91st overall), Chris Kelly (94th overall), Ryan Malone (115th overall), Martin Erat (191st overall), Tom Kostopoulos (204th overall), Radim Vrbata (212th overall), Garnet Exelby (217th overall), George Parros (212th overall), Jeff Finger (240th overall) and Douglas Murray (241st overall).

Two of the best steals from the draft were Ryan Miller who lasted until the fifth round and Henrik Zetterberg who had 209 people called before him. The Michigan native is ensuring his name joins the upper-echelon of goaltending with his contributions for both Buffalo and the United States. But the rest of the Sabres' draftees from 1999 weren't as productive:

Barrett Heisten (20th overall): one of those first-round names that never made an NHL debut.

Milan Bartovic (35th overall): had a cup of coffee in Buffalo and Chicago.

Doug Janik (55th overall): scored one goal for the Sabres and to his credit, it occurred in the postseason.

Michael Zigomanis (64th overall): a terrific face-off combatant who didn't reach a contract agreement and as a result, re-entered the draft in 2001. Great story.

Tim Preston (73rd overall): last known whereabouts in hockey are from 2003.

Karel Mosovsky (117th overall): the Rochester Americans were as close as he came to joining Buffalo.

Matthew Kinch (146th overall): cementing his craft in Germany.

Seneque Hyacinthe (178th overall): an LNAH (League North American Hockey) participant who has a few fights on his resume.

Bret Dececco (206th overall): recorded 205 points in 52 AMHL games back in 1995.

Brad Self (235th overall): like Kinch, found his way to Germany.

Craig Brunel (263rd overall): was originally drafted by Nashville in 1998 and then Buffalo the year after.

Ryan Miller

#30 / Goalie / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 6-2

Weight: 175

Born: Jul 17, 1980

As the evidence proves, finding one keeper in the draft that is nearly 11 years behind us was difficult and those who did are considered fortunate. Buffalo found an elite goaltender whose combination of ability, focus and calmness is a unique trio. And although it took a few years of patience for the 138th overall pick to blossom fully, it was well worth the wait.