‘It’s going to be emotional: JT Miller talks returning to Vancouver in clash between Canucks vs. Rangers

It will be an emotional night in Vancouver when the Canucks welcome back former star centre, JT Miller.

Miller met with the Vancouver media following pregame skate to discuss his big night:

“A lot of good memories here. I saw my best friends that still play on the other side. The way the city treated me and my family is something we’ll never forget. This building, in particular, in a couple of games, a couple of playoff series, are memories that we’ll definitely remember. So, it’s definitely a special place.

“It’s going to be emotional for me, no doubt. Just trying to worry about our task at hand for the Rangers. I know that emotion is going to be there, I’m just going to try to use it to the best of my ability as I can, and try to stay focused.”

After a 5-1 loss to the Calgary Flames on Sunday, the New York Rangers had a team day off on Monday. Miller and his family took the opportunity to see some former teammates and friends he made in Vancouver during his day off:

“I just tried to see as many people as I could. My wife and my two daughters came. So they’re seeing friends from school, their old hockey teammates, and stuff like that. [I] saw some friends outside the team, and then tried to see as many of the guys as I could. And got to bed early, it’s been a long day.”

Spending six seasons in Vancouver and posting 157 goals and 437 points in 404 regular season games, there will undoubtedly be a video tribute for the Ex-Canuck. Miller spoke about how emotional that’s going to be for him and his family to watch all of the memories from his time in a Canucks uniform:

“Yeah, no doubt, especially with my family here. I’m trying to stay so focused right now, but I understand there’s going to be some distractions. I’m trying my best to put this all towards the right thing, and that’s what I keep going back to. But to have my family in the building, it’s going to mean a lot tonight. I’ve never said a bad thing about Vancouver when I left. I loved it here. It was like home away from home, and the way they treated myself and my family is something we’ll always cherish. There’s a reason the whole family came back here. So it’s been a nice couple of days.”

Miller was traded to the Rangers on January 31 of last season, after a reported rift between him and Elias Pettersson became the talk around the National Hockey League. The Canucks were forced to move on from one of them, and it was Miller who was dealt to the team that drafted him. Miller acknowledged it wasn’t a storybook ending in Vancouver, but that he has put it behind him and is appreciative of his time with the organization.

“You can’t go back and change anything. Obviously, it’s ugly sometimes at the end, but I think for the majority of the time I was here, it’s been all positive; it’s been a lot of good things. I’m not going to sit here and dwell over the way it ended. I didn’t expect that to be pretty, and it wasn’t. But, you know, definitely still a lot of friendship and a lot of good memories and a lot of good things that came from that experience, so I’m happy.”

Pettersson has been given the matchup role for the Canucks over the last two games, holding Connor McDavid and Nick Suzuki without a point at 5v5. Miller spoke about what he expects if he is to draw the Pettersson matchup:

“I mean, it’s gonna be like all the rest of them. You know, they have a really good line. I know that they’ve been putting some pucks in the net. So nothing changes for me. We have a job to do against them. I’m sure it’s the same conversation. If we don’t check and play the right way, it’s gonna be easier on the other line. So just like any other game.”

During his time in Vancouver, Miller spent most of his time skating alongside Brock Boeser. The two had career years playing together in 2023-24 and built some noticeable on-ice chemistry. Boeser spoke with CanucksArmy about what it’s going to be like seeing him on the ice side of the ice tonight and what the key is to shutting him down:

“He’s a hard-nosed player. I feel like it will be a warm welcome back for him. He gave a lot to this organization, and I’m just happy to see him in action and happy to play against him.

“You just got to be hard on him. Take away time and space, just like any other top guy you’re playing against. When you give him time and space, he can make some great plays.”

Spending so much time with Miller, Boeser learned a lot from his former teammate. One of his biggest takeaways that Boeser is implementing in his game today is Miller’s leadership. Miller became an assistant captain for the Canucks in the 2021-22 season and was a part of the leadership group until the trade. This season, Boeser is sporting an ‘A’ on his sweater, and spoke about what he learned from Miller to take on this leadership role:

“I think just how he brings each and every game. You could see his work ethic all the time; he was super competitive, and he was consistent for the most part – that’s something hard to do in this league. So he pushed me when I played with him, and he was a big part of my development.

“He’s brutally honest at times, and sometimes, you know, you’ve got to tell him to take it a step back. But that’s just who he is; that’s how he plays on the ice. He’s ultra-competitive and really cares. I got to see him last night, so it’s good to see him, and I’m happy to play him against him tonight.

“He was a big voice in the locker room, and him leaving definitely gave other guys opportunities to step up. And you know, especially if you’re me, to have that ‘A’ on my sweater, I take pride in that and being a better leader.”

When Miller scored in Vancouver, Canucks fans would often chant “J-T Mill-Er” in support of the forward. Boeser shared that he wondered whether the fans would give Miller his patented chant, but added, “not if he scores.”

Regardless of the chant, it will be an emotional night for Canucks fans and JT Miller in his return to Vancouver.