J.T. Miller’s departure from the Vancouver Canucks at the end of January marked the end of a six-year chapter for both him and his family in the Canadian town.
His wife, Natalie Miller, took to Instagram to share an emotional farewell, expressing gratitude for their time in Vancouver.
“Vancouver, there are not enough words I can say about how much we loved our time here,” Natalie Miller wrote. “Raising our babies, trying new food, exploring, and being in Rogers Arena will forever be some of our favorite memories.
”We are so grateful for the support and love and will hold onto our time here really close to our hearts.”
J.T. Miller spent five seasons and a half with the Canucks since the team traded for him in the summer of 2019. He became a fan favorite during his tenure in Vancouver but the franchise moved him in a trade to the New York Rangers.
The Rangers drafted J.T. Miller with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2011 draft. The trade also reunited Miller with longtime friend Vincent Trocheck.
New York Rangers center J.T. Miller (8) waves to fans after a win.
Danny Wild-Imagn Images
Miller and Trocheck had always wanted to play together, and according to Peter Baugh of The Athletic, their wives played a role in making that dream a reality.
“A little less than a month ago, Hillary Trocheck surprised Natalie Miller for her birthday, flying across North America for a surprise visit in Vancouver,” Baugh reported. “Both their husbands, Vincent Trocheck and J.T. Miller, were on hockey road trips for the Rangers and Canucks, respectively, and the wives reached out."
Baugh quotes Trocheck in his story saying, “The two of them, they were pushing us: ‘Oh you guys have got to get this trade done!’ We’re like, ‘We don’t have any say.’”
Miller sounded happy about joining his long-time friend in New York in a return to Manhattan following January's trade.
“I don’t think at the start of the year we were thinking about playing with each other, but when the opportunity came, it’s something that, for our families, is really special,” Miller told Baugh.
