J.T. Miller expressed his surprise at being named captain of the New York Rangers, a prestigious leadership role he received almost seven years after his initial departure from the team.
On Tuesday, the Rangers officially designated Miller as the 29th captain in the franchise`s storied history. This appointment marks a significant full-circle moment, as he returns to the team that originally drafted him 15th overall in 2011.
“These past few days have been truly special for my family. The significance of being a captain for this team was ingrained in me early on, and I am incredibly grateful and fortunate to lead this group.”
Miller`s NHL career commenced with approximately six years spent in the Big Apple before he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018. He then moved to the Vancouver Canucks in 2019, where he played for the majority of the following six seasons.
Miller candidly admitted that he never anticipated receiving the captaincy upon his return.
“Definitely not. I`ve learned a great deal throughout my journey, which I believe has been well-documented, and I am now grateful for all those challenging experiences.”
He shared this sentiment with Mollie Walker of the New York Post.
In Tuesday`s official statement from the Rangers, General Manager Chris Drury highlighted Miller`s innate leadership qualities, remarking that he “quickly established himself as a leader for our team and embodies the conduct we aspire to, both on and off the ice.”
Miller attributes his leadership development to his early years with the Rangers, during which he had the invaluable opportunity to play alongside former captains Ryan McDonagh and Ryan Callahan.
“I`ve been fortunate to play under many excellent captains. The ones who particularly stand out are Ryan McDonagh and Ryan Callahan, my first captains here, with whom I remain very close. As a young player, I tried to absorb everything from them, learning a great deal about their style of play. They were truly absolute warriors of the game.”
Miller steps into the captaincy following Jacob Trouba, who was traded to Anaheim in December. The New York team concluded the previous season without a designated captain.
Much like Trouba, Miller takes immense pride in the unwavering intensity he brings to his performance on the ice.
“I intend to be myself. I`ve received excellent advice recently from Coach Mike Sullivan and Chris Drury, who emphasized, `We want you to be yourself,` and that resonates deeply with me.”
Alternate captain Vincent Trocheck further commented on Miller`s impact: “His intense approach to the game motivates others to join the battle. Having him lead our team will be highly beneficial.”