After a nearly seven-year absence from the New York Rangers, J.T. Miller expressed both shock and immense pride upon being appointed the team`s captain. This designation marks a significant full-circle moment for Miller, who was originally drafted by the Rangers as the 15th overall pick in 2011.
“It`s been a special couple of days for my family for sure,” Miller shared. “It was ingrained in me at a young age what it means to be a captain around here, and I`m just super thankful and lucky to represent the group like that.”
Miller spent the initial six years of his NHL career in New York before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018 and subsequently to the Vancouver Canucks in 2019, where he played for the majority of six seasons.
He admitted that he never anticipated receiving the captain`s “C” upon his return.
“Absolutely not,” he told Mollie Walker of the New York Post. “I`ve learned a lot along the way, it`s been pretty well documented I think, and I`m thankful for all of those tough times now.”
In a recent statement, Rangers General Manager Chris Drury underscored Miller`s impactful presence, noting that he “immediately became a leader for our group and exemplifies how we want to conduct ourselves both on and off the ice.”
Miller credits his formative years with the Rangers, where he played alongside former captains such as Ryan McDonagh and Ryan Callahan, for shaping his leadership style.
“I`ve had a lot of great captains. I think the ones that stick out are the ones I had here first, (McDonagh) and (Callahan), still very close with those guys,” Miller recounted. “Just trying to be a sponge as a young guy around those guys and learn a lot about the way they play. Just absolute warriors of the game.”
Miller takes over the captaincy from Jacob Trouba, who was traded to Anaheim in December. The New York team concluded the previous season without a designated captain.
Much like his predecessor, Miller prides himself on the intense energy he brings to the game.
“I wanna be me. I`ve been given a lot of good advice from (head coach) Mike (Sullivan) and Chris (Drury) in the last little bit here about, `We want you to be yourself,` and for me, that means a lot,” Miller affirmed.
Alternate captain Vincent Trocheck echoed these sentiments, adding: “He brings a level of intensity to the game that brings people into the fight a little bit. So having him back there to kind of lead our group is going to be good.”
