May 3, 2006
Miller Leaves Spartans
CHN Staff Report
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State captain Drew Miller has signed a professional contract with Anaheim of the NHL. Miller, who was drafted by the Mighty Ducks in the sixth round (186th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, will forego his senior season of eligibility. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Miller will report to the Ducks' AHL affiliate Portland Pirates on Wednesday and will be eligible to play for the team immediately. He will join the Pirates in Hartford, where the Pirates currently lead their Atlantic Division Finals series against the Wolfpack, 1-0.
"I have had a unbelievable experience at Michigan State," said Miller, the 10th member of his famed family to play for Michigan State. "It was always a dream of mine to play hockey for the Spartans -– but also a dream to play in the NHL. I'm leaving behind a great program, but also have a great opportunity in front of me which I am excited about. I am really looking forward to my future with the Anaheim organization."
Miller's cousin, Ryan, left after his junior year, and is now leading the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL playoffs.
"I'm very happy for Drew," said MSU coach Rick Comley. "He has shown tremendous improvement during his three years, and he epitomizes what we as coaches want in a student-athlete. There is no doubt that we will miss him tremendously.
"I'm confident that Drew will also continue to work toward his degree requirements and will graduate from Michigan State."
At MSU, Miller totaled 39 goals and 86 points. He captained the team in 2005-06, and helped lead the Spartans to the program's best record in four seasons (25-12-8), leading the team with 18 goals and 43 points in 44 games. He was also honored as the CCHA's Best Defensive Forward, and was named to the CCHA All-Tournament Team.
Miller was responsible, while at MSU, for creating the Spartan Buddy Program, where MSU athletes go to Sparrow Hospital on a regular basis to visit pediatric patients. He also participated in pen pal programs with local classrooms, Teams for Toys, DARE, and the Special Olympics. The commitment to community involvement earned Miller the CCHA's 2006 Illitch Humanitarian Award and nominations for the Hockey Humanitarian Award in the past two years.
