University of Denver assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Steve Miller is an obscure architect, the kind of behind-the-scenes builder who doesn’t often get the public recognition he deserves.
His primary role is to identify young talent and establish a relationship with the player and his family. Despite traveling some 75,000 miles per year to far-flung Canadian towns such as Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, and Regina, Saskatchewan, Miller loves his job.
So much so, he says, he feels like he’s hasn’t worked a day in his 17 years under head coach George Gwozdecky, including the past 14 at DU.
Miller, 42, visited with Denver Post college hockey writer Mike Chambers on Wednesday, two days before the Pioneers begin a regular-season ending home-and-home series against rival Colorado College.
Q: What’s the best part of your job?
A: I love the day to day, whether that’s being the lead coach, assistant, recruiter. I’ve never worked a day in my life. I haven’t. I get to go to the hockey rink every day, and watch a hockey game every night. It’s the greatest sport in the world, and has given me everything in my life, including my wife and three beautiful children.
Q: North Dakota is becoming a big-time rival. Will the Sioux ever catch CC in that regard?
A: No. It’s still CC, and that’s not going to change. Regardless of where we are in the standings, the games are always great. And now, these two programs are top-10 nationally, and that makes for great hockey.
Q: Favorite all-time player at DU?
A: What are you doing to me? You look at Mark Rycroft’s enthusiasm, Wade Dubielewicz’s brains and demeanor, Bryan Vines’ leadership, Kevin Ulanski’s toughness, Matt Carle’s intelligence, Paul Stastny’s instincts, Peter Mannino’s and Adam Berkhoel’s competitiveness. There’s a lot of them. It’s like asking your mom or dad, like my kids do all the time, ‘Who’s the best, Daddy?’ And I say all three of them are the best, because that’s the way you feel about them.
Q: What are you most proud of about the program?
A: With the building, the education, the city of Denver, and George’s leadership, we can compete with anybody in the country. I mean, there’s no question this is one of the top places to play college hockey.
Q: Most unique ice rink you’ve seen?
A: I like the rink in Trail, British Columbia. Great history. Same with the rink in Penticton, B.C., great history of Canadian hockey. In the U.S., probably the rink in Lincoln (Neb.), where the Lincoln Stars (of the USHL) play. Packed-in tight. Great place to watch a hockey game.
Q: Your friends call you Killer. Have your children (daughter Alexis, 7, and sons Cole, 5, and Connor, 3) tried to go there?
A: Cole calls me Killer sometimes, and so does Alexis. She laughs when she says it.
Q: Whom do you have to thank for that nickname? George?
A: My high school buddies in Sun Prairie, Wis. They came up with that when I was playing freshman football, running around at 5-foot-2 and 95 pounds trying to kill guys. At that size, I didn’t kill many guys.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Top five flicks
Oddly enough, DU assistant hockey coach Steve Miller’s favorite sports movie involves a baseball, not a puck. But he’s got two hockey classics on his list of favorite sports movies:
1. “Field of Dreams”
2. “Miracle”
3. “Slap Shot”
4. “The Natural”
5. “Seabiscuit”
