Drew Miller
Sport: Hockey
Born: February 17, 1984
Town: Dover
Andrew Miller was born February 17, 1984 in Dover. He grew up in East Lansing, Michigan as a member of the state’s most famous hockey-playing clan. His older brother, Ryan, became an All-Star goalie and cousins Kelly, Kevin and Kip Miller also played in the NHL. Drew was a hard-skating two-way left wing as a teenager. He played for East Lansing High and began his junior hockey career at age 17 in the North American Hockey League.
Drew was selected in the 6th round of the 2003 NHL Draft by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, but decided to accept a hockey scholarship from Michigan State. He played three years for the Spartans. In all, 10 members of his family have played for the school, including his grandfather Butch and father Dean. Kip and Ryan both won the Hobey Baker Award for MSU as the nation’s top player.
Drew averaged a point a game as a junior in 2005–06 and was team captain and MVP. That season marked the 50th anniversary of the Miller family’s involvement with the Spartans hockey program. Drew decided it was time to begin his pro career, and played the next two seasons with the minor-league Portland Pirates, an affiliate of the Ducks.
In April 2007, Drew was promoted to the Ducks in time for the playoffs as a replacement for left wing Chris Kunitz. He played on the same line as All-Stars Teemu Selanne and Andy McDonald, seeing ice time in four games as the Ducks won the Stanley Cup.
Drew played two seasons for the Ducks and was traded to Tampa Bay. The Lightning waived him early in 2009–10 and he was picked up by the Detroit Red Wings. He found success as a third-line forward, scoring one or two goals a month and driving opponents crazy on both ends of the ice. In 2013, he received a handful of votes for the Lady Byng Trophy, which is given to the NHL’s most sportsmanlike and gentlemanly player.
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