J.T. Miller spills the tea on ‘ugly’ Canucks exit after being traded to NY Rangers

J.T. Miller is adjusting well to his return to the New York Rangers after he was traded by the Vancouver Canucks in January. The veteran forward, now Rangers captain, spoke about how things ended in Vancouver, highlighting that he has chosen to focus on the positives.

“Everything happens (for a reason)," Miller said on Tuesday, via Rangers reporter Vince Z. Mercogliano. "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.”

He added that he still values the friendships and memories from his years with the Canucks.

"It's been a lot of good things," Miller said. "I'm not going to sit here and dwell over the way it ended. I didn't expect that to be pretty, but there’s definitely still a lot of friendships and a lot of good memories and a lot of good things that came from that experience. So, I'm happy."

Vancouver moved him after reports surfaced about a tense relationship between him and his former teammate, Elias Pettersson. The situation reportedly affected the locker room, and the team eventually decided it was best to part ways.

Following the Cacnucks' 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars in February, Pettersson was asked about the issue but kept his answer short.

“All we can do is look forward,” Pettersson said, via NHL.com.

Miller has started 2025-26 season on a consistent note, scoring two goals and adding four assists for six points in 11 games.

He was selected at No. 15 by the Rangers in 2011. He is in the third year of a seven-year $56 million contract that keeps him with the team through the 2029-30 season.

J.T. Miller grateful for warm ovation from Canucks fans in return to Vancouver

J.T. Miller received a warm welcome in his return to Vancouver on Tuesday, as fans gave him a standing ovation at Rogers Arena. The New York Rangers captain expressed gratitude for the support during his first game against the Canucks since being traded in January.

After the Rangers’ 2-0 win, Miller admitted that the moment meant a lot to him and his family.

“It’s just surreal,” Miller told reporters. “Just really happy that my kids got to be here today, and my wife. It means a ton to me.”

He called Vancouver a “hockey crazy city” and said his time there will always be a special part of his career.