Miller has a special cause

Every day in the NHL is important for a young developing player such as the Ducks’ Drew Miller, but today’s home game against the Edmonton Oilers has special meaning for the winger.

All 30 teams are recognizing one home game in October as Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Night and the Ducks are doing their part tonight to raise money to benefit the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

But 23-year-old Miller already has a long history with his work in that area. During his sophomore and junior seasons at Michigan State, the winger started a program called Spartan Buddies, in which many of the school’s student-athletes made visits to children in the hospital.

The program has continued after Miller left school to turn pro.

“It started catching on and people really wanted to be a part of it,” Miller said. “It’s really grown into a pretty good little program.”

Miller first visited cancer-stricken youngsters in Omaha when he was 17 and playing Tier 1 junior hockey for the River City Lancers of the United States Hockey League.

“The first time I went, I really enjoyed it,” he said. “To give back and just be around the kids, to see what they were going through and how happy they were when someone came to visit them. It really brightened up their day.”

When Miller had his day with the Stanley Cup, the first thing he did was take it to Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, where he spent many days in the pediatric ward.

“Usually we get requests and I send out an e-mail and people volunteer,” said Angela Howard, the director of student-athlete development at Michigan State. “But then Drew would come to me with ideas. He would seek me out as opposed to the reverse. On top of that, he wanted to create a program.

“It was not in response to something else. He took the initiative before it ever affected his family.”

Miller has since been personally affected. Three weeks ago, his 18-year-old cousin, Matt Schoals, died after a nearly two-year battle with leukemia.

“I learned a lot from my cousin,” Miller said. “How strong you have to be and how hard you have to fight for what you want. For him, it was his life.”

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Center Ryan Getzlaf reported improvement in his injured left wrist and is holding out hope that it will heal enough to play tonight. Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle said he remains day to day.

“The pain is starting to go away,” Getzlaf said. “I’m trying to get back in the lineup as soon as I can. If that’s [today], then that’s going to be great.”

Forward Rob Niedermayer tested his injured groin but couldn’t finish practice and will probably sit for the second consecutive game.

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TODAY

vs. Edmonton, 5 p.m., FSN Prime Ticket

Site -- Honda Center.

Radio -- 830.

Records -- Ducks 4-7-1; Oilers 4-7-0.

Record vs. Oilers (2006-07) -- 3-1-0.

Update -- Defenseman Mathieu Schneider took part in a majority of the drills as he participated in his first practice since breaking a bone in his left ankle on Sept. 15.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.

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eric.stephens@latimes.com