Miller 'couldn't be happier' to be reunited with Rangers

J.T. Miller is thrilled to embark on a fresh start with the New York Rangers after a dramatic few months with the Vancouver Canucks took its toll.

"It was a team effort to find a different place, obviously a special place here in New York, Miller told NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin. "Couldn't be happier to be here now."

Miller added: "It's hard. I've had a long year personally. Unfortunately that goes by the wayside when you're trying to win hockey games. It's a business, right? It got a little ugly there at the end, but I'm glad it’s done and happy to be here."

Miller was traded to the Big Apple on Friday after weeks of speculation he'd be moved because of a rift with former teammate Elias Pettersson that went public and rocked the Canucks' dressing room.

Miller had a full no-move clause and approved New York as a destination. He was drafted 15th overall by the Rangers in 2011, and he played the first five-plus seasons of his career on Broadway.

A key reason Miller desired a return to the Rangers was his friendship with Blueshirts center Vincent Trocheck. The pair grew up together in Pittsburgh.

"He's my best friend in the world," Trocheck said. "I think this had been a pipe dream for -10 years in the making, I feel like."

Miller re-debuted for the Rangers on Saturday afternoon, and picked up two goals in a loss to the Boston Bruins. He's up to 37 points in 41 games this season after a career-high 103 in 2023-24.