Dedicated Otters Fan Takes Aim At Truck Giveaway

Published on December 16, 2004 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Missouri River Otters News Release


St. Charles, MO --- Leif Miller was driving in his car three weeks ago when he first heard a radio advertisement for the Missouri River Otters December GMC Canyon truck giveaway. The ad specified that to qualify as a possible winner, you had to throw a paper airplane into the truck. A light went off in Miller's head.

"I heard the ad and thought, ‘I can do that, I'm going to win that truck,'" said Miller, a 42-year-old cement layer from Chesterfield, Missouri.

With four games remaining in the contest, only ten airplanes have made it into the truck, which is parked at center ice after games. Seven of those planes have been tossed by Miller, who has proven to be quite a sharpshooter. If the contest ended today, he would have a 70 percent chance of winning the truck, valued at almost $30,000. The vehicle will be given away at the River Otters game on December 31.

There are a few reasons why Miller is the frontrunner to win the Canyon. The first reason is a talent that he discovered more than 20 years ago while attending Parkway West Senior High in Ballwin, MO.

"I used to get in trouble at school for making paper airplanes in class," Miller said. "But I tell you what, those were some great paper airplanes."

Another reason that Miller must be considered the favorite for the truck is his unmatched commitment and dedication. He shows up an hour before every game, purchases 25 pieces of paper at $2 apiece (the proceeds of which go to 100 Neediest Cases), and immediately begins folding them into sleek airplanes. His 11-year-old son Ian helps out by filling in the name and address section on each plane.

"I am working on a new design that is a real sniper," Miller said. "I get inspiration for new designs everywhere I go."

Miller is so dedicated to winning the truck that he cancelled his annual New Year's North Fork River trout-fishing trip, something he has attended for seven straight years.

"My buddies think I'm crazy," Miller said. "But I'm going to win that truck." He's shocked that no one else has adopted a similar strategy as the one he employs.

"I'm amazed that no one else has done it," Miller said. "They must not have the talent, skill, ability, and confidence that I have. All four of those qualities are necessary to win the truck."

The River Otters next game is Friday, December 17 against the Quad City Mallards at the Family Arena. The puck drops at 7:05 PM, and all of the action can be heard on KSLQ 104.5 and the B2 Webcast and Videocast, both located at www.riverotters.com. To purchase tickets for the River Otters, please call (636) 896-4200 or visit the team's website, www.riverotters.com, for more details. *"We've Got a New Otter-tude!"*

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from December 16, 2004


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