When goaltender Ryan Miller joined the Vancouver Canucks in 2014, he probably didn’t expect to compete for Stanley Cups anymore. The Canucks’ cup window closed soon after the 2011 final — Miller knew that. So, his decision to play in Vancouver was made for different reasons.
The No. 1 reason is family. Miller’s wife, Noureen DeWulf, is a Hollywood actress. Aside from California (Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Jose), the Canucks are as close as you can get. Miller values that.
He never completely ruled out playing somewhere else again, as he got a modified no-trade clause included in his contract, but it always seemed like he enjoyed playing in Vancouver.