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Once Demoted Due to Hunting Trip, Matured J.T. Miller Factors Into Rangers’ Captaincy Search

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Hartnett | Last updated Sep 2, 2025 3:01 PM ET

Prior to establishing himself as one of the NHL’s most productive centers, J.T. Miller often found himself shuttling between New York and Hartford.

After making his Feb. 5, 2013 debut for the New York Rangers, Miller found himself assigned to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack six times during his rookie season.

On one particular occasion, Miller irked Rangers management by missing an optional team skate due to an unusual reason. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, Miller skipped the informal practice despite the warning of then-teammate and current NHL Network analyst Brian Boyle.

During a recent NHL Tonight appearance, Boyle retold the incident.

“J.T. Miller – he’s a big hunter,” Boyle said. “He was a call-up for the Rangers. We had a day off and it was an optional (skate). It wasn’t a full day off and it was an optional, and he was kind of in-and-out of the lineup.

"We were doing some attendance on who’s coming to the optional. He told our assistant GM, ‘No, he had to go hunting.’ I told him to re-think his decision, but this was his first year (as a) pro. He said, ‘No, I’m going hunting. This is my day off. I’m going to go hunting.’”

At the time, Jim Schoenfeld served as the Rangers’ assistant general manager and general manager of the Wolf Pack. The decision to prioritize a hunting trip over on-ice sessions with teammates was met with a swift response from Rangers management.

“He returned from hunting,” Boyle continued. “(Then) he got on another bus and headed back to Hartford.”

Miller would eventually change his perception and become a mainstay in the Rangers’ lineup, skating in 58 games in his third NHL season. After stints with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vancouver Canucks, the former 15th overall draft pick was reacquired by the Rangers on Jan. 31, 2025.

The East Palestine, Ohio native recorded 13 goals and 22 assists in 32 games with the Blueshirts in 2024-25. Now, as a matured 32-year-old, it’s possible that he could figure into the Rangers’ vacant captain search. The Rangers are without a permanent captain since Jacob Trouba was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 6, 2024.

Adam Fox, Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin are returning alternate captains ahead of the 2025-26 season. Longtime wing Chris Kreider was traded to the Ducks after wearing the ‘A’ for seven seasons.

Blueshirts general manager Chris Drury has identified Miller as the kind of player whom he wants to build the team around. The Rangers often played lethargic, emotionless hockey prior to Miller’s arrival.

As Drury continues to reshape the identity of the Blueshirts, Miller will play a pivotal role. His energetic play across 200 feet, physical nature and competitiveness means that he’s a leader regardless of whether he’s wearing a letter on the front of his jersey.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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