The New York Rangers traded for forward J.T. Miller, knowing he had built a career around playing with an edge. Miller is aware of this, and he stated in an interview with Vince Mercogliano of USA Today that he is unconcerned about how people perceive him. “I definitely come off as angry,” Miller remarked. “People may not like that, but I don’t really give a [expletive] what they think.” Miller, who returned to the New York Rangers after being traded from Vancouver in the middle of the season, admitted that his fierce style has characterized his game. “The second I lose that mindset, I feel like things are going to dip-and they have,” Miller told me. “The proof is in the pudding there.”
Miller’s return to New York came after a locker room feud with former Vancouver Canucks teammate Elias Pettersson resulted in an uncomfortable situation and the eventual trade. Miller was sent back to the organization that drafted him with the No. 15 overall choice in 2011, as decided by team president Jim Rutherford. “A lot of the season wasn’t really fun, so I’m just enjoying myself right now,” Miller said. “It’s fun coming to the rink again.”
Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette has praised Miller’s attitude to the game. “He’s a guy that plays the game the right way,” Laviolette said. “He takes 35-second and 40-second shifts and plays them hard. He changes in the proper way. He drives the net. He comes to a halt in down-low covering.” All the little things you want from a player, he brings to the table.” Miller has been a big contributor since returning the Rangers, scoring 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in his first 17 games.
Miller scored 35 points in 40 games with the Canucks earlier this season, for a total of 53 in 58 games. “I play on a sharp sword,” Miller added. “That’s simply the way it is, and I feel like I’ve spent much of my career explaining myself. Everybody is different, so I just try to control my feelings.” I don’t want it to go away since it brings out my greatest qualities.