Ryan Miller is one of the best goaltenders in Buffalo Sabres history; there’s no doubt about that. But on Sunday, Miller also solidified his place in NHL history, become the winningest US-born goaltender in the league’s history as the Anaheim Ducks powered to a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals.
Miller’s 375th career victory broke the record, previously held by John Vanbiesbrouck.
The majority of Miller’s victories in his NHL career came, of course, with the Sabres.
During his time in Buffalo, Miller won 284 of the 540 games he played in. He holds the Buffalo records for games played, wins and minutes played. In his time in Buffalo, Miller was named to the 2007 NHL All-Star Game, won the Vezina Trophy and NHL Foundation Award in 2010, and was overall a huge part of the Sabres organization, through good times and bad.
During his time in Buffalo, Miller regularly made some truly outstanding saves, a few of which are highlighted in the video below:
There are so many memorable moments from Miller’s time in Buffalo.
From seemingly impossible glove saves, to getting his stick in just the right position, to literally saving the game with everything on the line – Ryan Miller grew up in the Sabres organization, and Buffalo was fortunate to have him and be a part of his success.
Of course, there were also other memorable moments from Miller’s time in Buffalo, like his part in the brawl against Jonathan Bernier on September 22, 2013, his friendship with fellow net minder Jhonas Enroth, his “yo mamma” commercial, or his infamous comments (NSFW) about then-Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic. (I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the multiple infamous “Ryan Miller shutouts” where he would hold an opponent without a goal for most of a game, only to give up a goal with little time remaining on the clock.)
The Sabres drafted Miller in 1999, when he was just 18. His time with the Sabres organization saw him literally grow up, from this 18-year-old kid to a storied franchise netminder who was 34 when Buffalo traded him in 2014. He surpassed Dominik Hasek as the franchise leader in career wins six years into his career. He set the franchise record for most wins in a season and went to the playoffs four times with the Sabres.
Since being traded, Miller has played for the St. Louis Blues, the Vancouver Canucks and now, the Anaheim Ducks. But no matter where he lands, he will always have gotten his start with the Sabres organization, where he spent the first 11 seasons of his NHL career. Buffalo will forever be grateful for his time in net here.
Congratulations to Buffalo Sabres alumni Ryan Miller on becoming the winningest U.S. born goaltender in National Hockey League history. Die By the Blade readers, what is your favorite moment from Miller’s history in Buffalo?