TEMPE, Ariz. — It’s both a happy and sad time for Ryan Miller, who has held the record for most wins by an American-born goaltender for five years (391 wins).
So he says:
But when you ask Miller about the Rangers’ goaltender Jonathan Quick, who could be dethroned if he starts against the Coyotes on Saturday, he says the immense respect the 43-year-old has for him. I can see the admiration and personal friendship. That’s all it conveys.
“I just recognize that we’ve both become friends over the years, so I always enjoy playing against him,” Miller told The Post by phone on Friday. He spoke at
“I really enjoyed our time together as teammates.” [U.S.] national team. Our sons, who are also parents to teammates, played hockey together for many years. We’ve seen every aspect of it. I’m certainly happy for him.
“From the USA Hockey element, we’re representing our country and we’re just happy to be a part of something that moves something forward. This is something that we as Americans who play hockey It’s a testament to the success we’ve had and something we hope to continue moving forward with.”
To Miller and many others, Quick represented a new generation of goaltenders.
He brought a new style to the league, and combined with his competitive nature, he created a kind of level at the goaltending position that hadn’t been seen before.
The two played against each other for 15 years in the NHL, with Quick playing for the Kings and Miller making rounds in Buffalo, St. Louis, Vancouver and Anaheim.
While the Kings-Ducks rivalry game is on the radar for Miller, Quick is looking back on his time with USA Hockey.
Quick was the third-ranking netminder behind Miller and Tim Thomas at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, where the United States won the silver medal despite losing to Canada in the final.
“I’m watching [Miller] And just how dominant a player he was, finding his way in the league when he was young, and it was so much fun to watch him play,” Quick said in a post after Friday’s optional practice at Mallett Arena. told the paper. .
The 38-year-old Quick is enjoying a resurgence in play in his first season with the Rangers, who benefit greatly from having a future Hall of Famer as a backup netminder behind Igor Shesterkin. .
Quick’s $1.275 million extension from 2024 to 2025 would give him at least one more year of benefits.
Among goaltenders who have started at least 20 games and rank in the top 10 in save percentage (.916) and goals against average (2.44), Quick has looked timeless in the crease this season.
Miller considered Quick to be a trendsetter in the way he was integrated into the post, a tactic used to cover the bottom of the net.
However, Quick’s explosiveness and ability to recover from other situations had a major impact on the modern way goaltenders are now considered to play.
“LA goalie coach Billy Ranford, we had some trouble with the Sedins early in our careers.” [Henrik and Daniel]They were the best in the league at the time around the net, behind the net, short little passing outs,” Quick said of this aspect of his game. “Like most of the league, we had a hard time figuring out how to play, so we’ve been working on how to deal with two-man, three-man games from behind the net and around the net.
“It’s just something we developed together. What we were comfortable with playing those situations. [Vancouver] Please beat us with [2010] The playoffs, probably the year before, we were preparing like they were the team to beat here in the West. So we’re like, “Okay, how do we beat them?” We developed it that way.
“It ends up being a way to play low, small plays that work for different teams and situations.”
From opponents to teammates to opponents again, Quick and Miller are now seen watching their sons Carter and Bodie play together on the same youth hockey team.
At one point, both children were goalies, but now only Quick’s son is in that position.
They simply enjoy their time as friends and fathers, which adds a unique layer to this passing of the baton.
Quick said he received a text message from Miller after the game against Boston, where he achieved 391 wins.
It’s safe to assume that no one else will be able to beat Miller’s record.
“I think there was a moment in the last five or 10 years where things changed in American goaltender development,” said Miller, now the Sharks’ goaltender scout and goaltending development coach.
“We’ve brought in some players who are having great success right now. We’ve been working with USA Hockey a little bit and we know our goal is to continue to enable that development. Goaltending is It’s difficult: why certain regions are so successful at producing goaltenders, what that means, and why other regions that have traditionally produced goaltenders no longer do so. You’re probably wondering if there isn’t.
“That’s part of the mystery, but I think the United States has done the right thing and they’ve really stood by this position. It’s no surprise that records like this are on the rise.”
