Posts Tagged ‘Ron Duguay’

Aces captain Rob Miller felt like he was a rookie all over again, as his former coach, teammate and former Rangers star Ron Duguay laced up his skates on Saturday on the other side of the Brooklyn locker room.

23 years old and a first-year pro with the Jacksonville Barracudas the last time the two shared the same sheet of ice in 2003, Miller was probably too young to remember Duguay’s heyday with the Rangers and Detroit Red Wings, when he was an enthusiastic and dangerous center with an excellent shot and great hockey instincts.

However, despite his ability on the ice, Duguay will always be remembered for captivating the women wherever he played, with his trademark Jon Bon Jovi-esque long hair, earing and sasson jeans.

Oo- La-La.

This time around, Duguay, despite over 27-years since his last 40-goal season, still maintained his devilish good looks, but at 51, he acknowledged his game isn’t what it used to be.

Rob Miller may be the Brooklyn Aces captain and a player respected for his grit and intelligence on and off the ice today, but six seasons ago, during the 2002-2003 season, he was a wide-eyed 23-year-old playing his first season of professional hockey with the Jacksonville Barracudas of the ACHL.

It was there where he first met Ron Duguay.

Scoring 45 points in 60 games that season, it still ranks as Miller’s best as a professional. Nevertheless, the memories he shared with Duguay are another big reason why he still smiles when discussing his rookie season.

“He was my coach that year and we played together,” said Miller. “He’s such a good guy.”

Playing six games with Miller that season, Duguayhis best Reggie Dunlop impersonation and scored four points as a player-coach, despite formally retiring in 1992. While those numbers alone are far from his 30-goal days with the Red Wings and Rangers, the charismatic forward, then 45 years old, proved he still had some gas left in his tank.