The New York Rangers traded their captain midseason in 2024-25 and replaced Jacob Trouba as captain with another player they acquired midyear last season.
The Rangers announced J.T. Miller as their captain, the 29th in franchise history, on the first day of their 100th NHL season Tuesday.
Trouba had served as the Rangers captain since 2022 but was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 6. Prior to Trouba, the Rangers went four years without a captain.
But Miller, the East Palestine, Ohio native who was picked 15th overall by the Rangers at the 2011 NHL Draft and was re-acquired by New York from the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31, expects to wear the Rangers’ ‘C’ for the foreseeable future. Miller is signed at an $8 million annual average value through 2029.
Why Did The Rangers Name J.T. Miller Captain?
Miller continues the trend of American-born captains for the Rangers. Miller is the fifth straight U.S.-born player to wear the ‘C’ for New York, dating back to when his boss, current Rangers general manager Chris Drury was named team captain in 2008.
“Since his arrival last season, J.T. immediately became a leader for our group and exemplifies how we want to conduct ourselves both on and off the ice,” Drury said. “Congratulations to J.T. and his entire family on an incredibly meaningful achievement and we’re confident he will continue to represent our organization with class, commitment and integrity.”
That Miller was named the captain could be news to Canucks fans. His feud with center Elias Pettersson necessitated his trade, where the Rangers dealt young center Filip Chytil, 23-year-old defenseman Victor Mancini and a conditional first-round pick.
Still, Miller is one of the elite point producers in the NHL. He put up 35 points in 32 games after the trade last year, and even though he’s on the wrong side of 30 — Miller will turn 33 in March — he seems to be getting stronger and more effective with his advancing age.
Since he was traded to Vancouver from the Tampa Bay Lightning, Miller has averaged 0.4 goals and 1.1 points per game and has an incredible 16.0 shooting percentage over the past six seasons.
When Does The Rangers’ Season Start?
Not only are the Rangers looking to put their extremely disappointing 2024-25 campaign behind them — where they finished with 85 points and missed the playoffs — but they are also looking ahead to their 100th season.
The centennial season promises to be a special year for everyone associated with the New York Rangers,” Drury said in a statement. Wearing the Rangers uniform is an honor and privilege unlike any other in the National Hockey League, and that is because of the legacy that has been created here over 100 years. We all can’t wait to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime season.”
New York’s veterans reported to camp Tuesday — rookies reported last week — for various testing before hitting the ice for the first time under coach Mike Sullivan on Wednesday.
The Rangers’ first preseason game will be against the rival New Jersey Devils on Sunday. It’ll be the first of six exhibition games before they open the year against the Pittsburgh Penguins at MSG on Oct. 7.
Rangers Name JT Miller Captain Ahead of 100th Season