Sharks hire Miller, Vanek as scouts

The San Jose Sharks added significant NHL experience to their scouting department Friday.

San Jose hired Ryan Miller in a goaltending scouting and development role, as well as Thomas Vanek in an amateur scouting position based in Minnesota, the team announced.

Sharks general manager Mike Grier played alongside Miller and Vanek with the Buffalo Sabres over two stints from 2004-06 and 2009-11. Neither Miller nor Vanek played for San Jose.

Miller, 43, played 796 games over 18 seasons with the Sabres, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, and Anaheim Ducks. He won the Vezina Trophy in 2010 and was named the Most Valuable Player at the Olympics the same year for his performance with the United States.

Vanek, 39, accrued 373 goals and 789 points in 1029 contests. After nine seasons with the Sabres, he bounced around the league to finish his career. He suited up for the New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Canucks, and Columbus Blue Jackets before retiring in 2020.

The Austrian played collegiately at the University of Minnesota and returned to the state in 2021 to coach his son Blake.

The Sharks also added Jaren Burke from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Igor Eronko from the KHL’s Avangard Omsk to their scouting staff.

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