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What's the strangest thing a fan  has ever asked you to autograph?
– Hockeymistress

Cell phones and ipods seem to be popular now... I did sign a kids face with parents' permission. I have been asked to autograph breasts on many occasions... Usually oblige if it isn’t a creepy situation – like in front of a bunch of young kids.

Ryan, as a goalie myself I have  to ask how big into gear are you. Most goalies I know are completely obsessed  and I am one of the many. I know you have a fully custom pad that you wear in  games, not a stock X-Pluse. I wanted to know if developing a pad like that is  because you are very involved with gear that other tenders wear.
– Chris

I am obsessed... My pads are mutts. They are Frankenstein monsters made from Heaton 10 with Koho inspiration and other ideas. I know they aren’t the lightest or the biggest but I like the way they play for now. I would love to develop my own pad from scratch but that isn’t something that equipment companies have been willing to do... Yet. They have to focus on what they can mass produce to make real returns on investment.
 
Ryan, knowing that you're a big  photography enthusiast (as am I, I own my own photography business) I was  wondering what camera equipment and lenses you like to shoot with? And do you  use Canon or Nikon? I thought I saw some photos where you were carrying a  Canon5D but I could be mistaken. What are some of your favorite places to shoot  when you're in Buffalo, and elsewhere? – Karen

I shoot with a Canon 5D because I like the full frame sensor for outdoor work... Wider the better for me. I love to be in northern Michigan by the lakes. I don’t really get a chance to make the kind of trips I want to make yet but I am going to Europe in June so that should be fun to shoot some cityscapes in Rome, Prague and London.

 
I've been a Sabres fan for almost  15 years now and I've seen your play since Rochester and I think I've noticed  that throughout your career and most often this season that you are getting more  vocal and intense during the games. Chirping at the officials(which I love, who  likes Ref's anyway, your not afraid to guard the front of your crease as  opposing teams players skate by with a "friendly" tap on the back of the  leg,ETC. Have you noticed this change in your behavior, is it not a change and  is me just noticing it for the first time? This went long,sorry about that,  thanks again for doing this
– Justin M.

I really don’t like talking to the refs unless I have to stick up for myself or it is the right moment. I rarely start a “discussion” off by swearing or mistreating them so usually they will listen to my opinion or explanation... If they want to ignore me or they get defensive I have been known to lose my temper. If I lead off with respect I should get it back. It is usually in my best interest to keep my mouth shut unless they blow a call in an important situation... Even then it is really all for dramatic effect and I am just hoping they give us some slack next time.

Hey Ryan! Great blog. It's really  nice to read your thoughts on the playoffs. Speaking of the playoffs, I would be  interested to know what is your all-time favorite moment in the post-season (one  that you were part of)? – RumorMeThis

Beating Ottawa in overtime to move on to the Eastern Conference Finals. Just the sudden joy of winning in overtime and being able to really celebrate on the ice with the boys.

Hi, Ryan! Thanks for doing this  blog. I've always enjoyed and appreciated how open you are with us about your  thought process and it's great to get a dose of that in this (too early)  off-season. Is  there any special reason that you wear number 30?
– Heather B.

 I wore number #39 in junior and college... Dominik Hasek wore #39 during his historic stay in Buffalo. I didn’t want to live up to that as a rookie and I wanted to show him the respect he deserved by not choosing that number. I went with the number I wore each year prior to junior hockey, #30.

Hi  Ryan I think you are awesome and this is a great way to communicate with people  I idolize (NHLers). My question is who are your top 5 hardest shooters in the  game today or even retired. Thanks – CJ
 
Well I have only played in the last 6 years so a few guys had moved on... Chara, Souray, Kovalchuk, Ovechkin and I will say Al Kotalik. He really can shoot. But a lot of guys can bring it now so that list is subject to change.


Tune in to Stretch on Maxim Radio on Sirius Satellite Radio each Wednesday morning at 11am ET for NHL All-Star goalie Ryan Miller's weekly Stanley Cup Playoffs report.

 



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