Flashback Friday: Former Cap Kelly Miller Calls Olympic Hero, Ryan Miller, “Cuz.”

By Rodger M. Wood

Former Caps forward, Kelly Miller, can call 2010 Olympic hero, and USA goalie Ryan Miller “cuz” and get away with it, even if he never had the chance to score a goal against him in the NHL.Kelly and Ryan are two of ten Millers, who played hockey at Michigan State, including Kelly’s brothers and former Caps, Kevin and Kip, and Ryan’s brother Drew, who is currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks.Kelly came over to the Capitals from the New York Rangers in a blockbuster trade on January 1, 1987, which sent a Caps #1 draft pick and 50 – goal scorer Bobby Carpenter to the Big Apple.A strong, two way forward and always a plus/minus leader in 13 seasons for the Capitals from 1986 to 1999, Miller was a key man on face-offs, penalty kill, a clutch scorer and set up man.He scored 24 goals and assisted on 26 for the Caps 1990 Wales Conference Finalist, but injured much of the season, scored only 2 goals and 5 assists on the Caps 1998 Stanley Cup Finalists.He was an iron man most of his Caps career, playing in 1,057 regular season and playoff games, while scoring a total 162 goals and 246 assists.Kelly Miller closed out his NHL career as an assistant coach for the 2001 -02, and 2002 -03 NY Islanders.Brother Kevin played 10 games for the Capitals the 1998-1999 season and Kip 138 games the 2002 - 03 and 2003-04 seasons.