Post by Stripe on Sept 21, 2006 12:34:51 GMT -5
www.nhl.com/features/ahl/ahl092106.html
Miller gives it a try -- Grand Rapids saw enough left in the game of Kip Miller to bring the 37-year-old center back for at least one more season in a Griffins jersey.
Now all Miller has to do is convince himself that the Griffins know what they are talking about. Sounding at least a little like a reluctant returning hero, Miller has agreed to return to the team that's been the benefactor of some of his best pro hockey. It's not that he's unappreciative of the chance. It's just that he isn't exactly sure how much jump remains in his game.
Kip Miller is returning to the Grand Rapids Griffins after notching 59 points for the Chicago Wolves last season.
"You know what? I don't know," he said. "I'm anxious to get the season started and see. Somebody thinks I can still play. I might as well try."
Such reticence is understandable, since it is borne out of losing. Miller played for the Chicago Wolves last season, a team that failed to make the playoffs. He contributed 59 points for Chicago, but at the end of the year was prepared to shut down a career that includes 449 NHL games.
Miller played three previous seasons for Grand Rapids but admitted to surprise when the Griffins called during the summer and asked him to re-up for another year. Miller, who lives about 50 minutes away in Lansing, Mich., said he had to ponder the offer for about three weeks before accepting.
"Every five minutes my mind would go from, I want to play, I don't want to play," Miller said. "It's tough playing in that league. The kids get younger."
In the end, Miller's competitiveness and affection for the Griffins won out. He ranks among the franchise's all-time leaders with 50 goals (10th), 86 assists (7th) and 136 points (T-6th). That productivity may not continue at the same pace, but then again, at this stage of Miller's career, that's not the point.
"Everybody wants to go out on a winning note," he said. "Last year we didn't make the playoffs. I have a hard time swallowing that myself."
Miller gives it a try -- Grand Rapids saw enough left in the game of Kip Miller to bring the 37-year-old center back for at least one more season in a Griffins jersey.
Now all Miller has to do is convince himself that the Griffins know what they are talking about. Sounding at least a little like a reluctant returning hero, Miller has agreed to return to the team that's been the benefactor of some of his best pro hockey. It's not that he's unappreciative of the chance. It's just that he isn't exactly sure how much jump remains in his game.
Kip Miller is returning to the Grand Rapids Griffins after notching 59 points for the Chicago Wolves last season.
"You know what? I don't know," he said. "I'm anxious to get the season started and see. Somebody thinks I can still play. I might as well try."
Such reticence is understandable, since it is borne out of losing. Miller played for the Chicago Wolves last season, a team that failed to make the playoffs. He contributed 59 points for Chicago, but at the end of the year was prepared to shut down a career that includes 449 NHL games.
Miller played three previous seasons for Grand Rapids but admitted to surprise when the Griffins called during the summer and asked him to re-up for another year. Miller, who lives about 50 minutes away in Lansing, Mich., said he had to ponder the offer for about three weeks before accepting.
"Every five minutes my mind would go from, I want to play, I don't want to play," Miller said. "It's tough playing in that league. The kids get younger."
In the end, Miller's competitiveness and affection for the Griffins won out. He ranks among the franchise's all-time leaders with 50 goals (10th), 86 assists (7th) and 136 points (T-6th). That productivity may not continue at the same pace, but then again, at this stage of Miller's career, that's not the point.
"Everybody wants to go out on a winning note," he said. "Last year we didn't make the playoffs. I have a hard time swallowing that myself."
