J.T. Miller’s Vancouver return comes with Rangers responsibilities

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — J.T. Miller has been steadfast in everything he’s done and said since the “C” was sewn into his No. 8 Rangers jersey.

As the 32-year-old center stood inside the visiting locker room on Tuesday at Rogers Arena, however, it was clear just how conflicted Miller was ahead of his return to the city he spent nearly six seasons in.

The raw emotions that naturally broke through battled with Miller’s responsibility as the Blueshirts captain to keep his team focused with a borderline must-win game on deck.

“A lot of good memories here,” Miller said before a sizable crowd of cameras and reporters. “Some of my best friends still play on the other side. The way that the city treated myself and my family, it’s something we’ll never forget. This building in particular, been a couple games, couple playoffs series with memories we’ll definitely remember. Definitely a special place.

“We have a lot to worry about on our end here. We’re just trying to focus on that. I’m trying my best to … obviously, we need to get things going here for the Rangers. Whatever happens outside of that is out of my control.”

Miller said simply arriving at Vancouver International Airport “brought back a lot of feelings.”

The Rangers had the day off on Monday, so the former Canucks alternate captain saw as many people — former teammates and outside friends — as he could. His wife, Natalie, and two daughters, Scotlyn and Scarlett, came on the trip to see friends, as well.

It marked the first time the Miller family returned to Vancouver since the Canucks traded him back to New York last season on Jan. 31.

Asked what kind of reception he expected from Canucks fans, Miller said he didn’t have one.

Regarding how he expected it to feel, Miller admitted he was certain he’d be emotional, but again brought it back to worrying about the task at hand for the skidding Rangers.

He mentioned trying to utilize that emotion to the best of his ability.

The circumstances surrounding Miller’s departure from Vancouver are well-documented, with his Elias Pettersson feud dominating most headlines. It was evidently a difficult time for the organization, which understandably would’ve preferred to have kept both their top forwards.

Fielding questions about Miller’s return Tuesday morning, Pettersson showed no interest in discussing his former teammate. He awkwardly offered up a few compliments after bluntly pointing out the two squared off at Madison Square Garden last season.

Asked if there was any disappointment about the way things ended in Vancouver, Miller was realistic.

“Everything happens,” he said. “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. It’s been a lot of good things, and I’m not going to sit here and dwell on the way it ended. I didn’t expect it to be pretty, and it wasn’t. But, you know, definitely still a lot of friendship and a lot of good memories and a lot of good things that came from that experience. I’m happy.”

Miller said he doesn’t feel like he has anything to prove in his return to Rogers Arena.

The best part about it will be getting to share it with his family, he said.

More than anything, Miller is trying to keep his focus on the Rangers.

“I think he’s done a great job for us,” Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan said of what he’s seen from Miller’s leadership. “He’s a no-nonsense guy, as you guys know. In a lot of ways, the way he plays the game, personifies the type of team — from an identity standpoint — that we’re trying to build. He’s a fierce competitor. He’s a talented player, and has the ability to make plays on the offensive side, but he’s hard to play against at the same time. I think he embodies the identity that we’re trying to build here. I just think his presence on the bench and in the locker room has been great. I think he has a maturity to him … I think the best way J.T. leads is through his example.

“He’s inspiring when he plays the game the way he does, with just the competitive fire and the attention of detail on both sides of the puck. He’s an offensive player, but he understands and values the importance of playing defense. That’s the best example, for me, of leadership that he can provide for us right now.”