Ryan Miller featured in new NHL ads

Living in Buffalo, where stars don't usually grab national attention, it's kinda weird seeing hometown athletes being featured in nationwide advertisements. But it seems we have a star on our hands.

Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller is one of a handful of players featured in the new NHL promo campaign, themed "Live Every Shift". Other players featured are Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby, Washington's Alexander Ovechkin, Carolina's Eric Staal, Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier and the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes... some guy named Gretzky.

Miller seems to be the guy that the NHL is pushing as the league's best goaltender. Not surprising considering he's everything the NHL could ask for: young, talented, and American.

This kind of marketing push will get him some big publicity when it comes time for all-star voting, which begins soon. Miller was the starter for the Eastern Conference last year, and naturally is a top candidate to make the team this year. Which is exactly what this team needs: a star goalie going into the last year of his contract.

Here are the ads: