Miller speaks at 4 Nations and downplays showdown with ex-Vancouver Canucks teammate Pettersson
It’s been a whirlwind 12 days for former Vancouver Canucks star J.T. Miller.
The 31-year-old was traded to the New York Rangers, played five games for his new team, and then jetted off to Montreal to play for Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
“I think I’ll reflect in the summer when I have some time,” said Miller. “Really haven’t sat down in two weeks, it feels like.”
“I understand what’s happening, but until I sit back and actually think about it, like I said in the summer… there’s not enough time. If I wasn’t in this tournament, perhaps I could have sat back, but I got the tournament now and then right back into a playoff push.”
The move from the Canucks to the Rangers ended a months-long saga between Miller and co-star Elias Pettersson. The two were long-rumoured to be at odds with one another, and it was finally confirmed in a bombshell interview by President Jim Rutherford, which ensured one of them would get traded.
The two centres will face off against each other for the first time since the trade on Monday, February 17, when the USA and Sweden play. While the matchup is garnering a lot of public attention, Miller downplayed its importance.
“It’s definitely something that [the media builds] up for sure. I’m sure it’s more exciting for you guys, but it’s just another game for us.”
When he returns to the Rangers, Miller will rejoin a team three points outside the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. He has scored two goals and four points in five games since his arrival.
Miller was in year two of a seven-year deal signed with the Canucks and had a full no-movement clause. At the start of the year, no one would’ve thought he’d get traded just a few months later. Yet that’s exactly what happened, partially because of on-ice results but mostly because of off-ice drama.
“It’s been a busy year in my world… [this tournament] is a great opportunity for me to get away for a second, be with a different group, a different scene.”
When Miller says it’s been a busy year, he’s not understating it. Not only has he had to deal with being in the rumour mill for months, but he also took a significant personal leave from hockey during the fall. During that time, the commitment from Team USA never wavered, something Miller hasn’t forgotten.
“The amount of support that [Team USA GM Bill Guerin] and his staff have given me when I was on my leave this year doesn’t go unrecognized. They were amazing with me; total support made me feel very comfortable. I’m just very fortunate that I could be a part of this team.”
Team USA hosted a special pre-tournament dinner last night. The players met American hockey legends like Mike Modano and Mike Eruzione, some Navy SEALs, and the late Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau’s father, Guy.
“Pretty surreal. It’s people and what they mean to our country… some of your heroes as a kid in sports and then guys who are putting their life on the line for their country to be there with us and to have Johnny Gaudreau’s father there, pretty surreal dinner. To have the foundation we have for USA Hockey, we should all feel very lucky.”
Legends in the house!
The U.S. Men’s National Team had dinner with hockey greats—1980 Olympic gold medalists Mike Eruzione & Rob McLanahan, American icon Mike Modano, & Guy Gaudreau, father of Johnny & Matthew.
Team USA opens the #4Nations Face-Off vs. Finland on Thursday! pic.twitter.com/SwXxf3GYPr
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) February 11, 2025
Landing back in New York means returning to a familiar place for the Miller family as he was drafted by the team. It’s also where J.T.’s long-time friend Vincent Trocheck plays, who he stayed with after the trade.
“It’s very special… I mean that in the sense of you feel like you’re going to family… when you get traded to a new place, you can have that little awkward stage, and I feel like I didn’t really have that coming back to a familiar place.”
“We live close together in the summer; our kids are pretty much the same age… for him to be there and welcome me into their home and my family as well, all the kids, my wife, it’s been amazing. It’s very special, something we don’t take for granted for sure.”
When he returns to the Rangers, Miller will fight to get his team back into a playoff spot. For now, all his attention is on bringing home the trophy for Team USA.