J.T. Miller makes a promising statement heading into the new season

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Cooper Godin
October 5, 2024 (11:37)

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Forward J.T. Miller believes the Vancouver Canucks will have another strong year and won't be one-and-done team.

The 2023-24 season was a very solid year for the Vancouver Canucks, especially when considering the expectations placed on the team by outside experts heading into the campaign.

Many expected the Vancouver Canucks to be in the mix for a wild card berth in the Western Conference, but they exceeded that and went on to become Pacific Division champions and made it to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, ultimately losing to the Edmonton Oilers in seven games.

Heading into the 2024-25 season, expectations are high for the Vancouver Canucks and forward J.T. Miller believes this group will have another strong year and won't be a one-and-done type of team.

"We've been told how great a season it was so many times by fans and media and whatever, but that's not the end-all-be-all," Miller told Sportsnet during a one-on-one interview at camp. "We want to be contending for a Stanley Cup every single season. We showed (last season) we can do that. We've been talking about setting a standard and a culture and an environment - character as a group. To do that, you just have to do it every time, every year."

For Miller, he's poised to have another great year, likely centering a line with Nils Hoglander and Brock Boeser to start the campaign. Last season, Miller set new career-highs in goals and points last season and is looking for his second consecutive year with 100 or more points.

While scoring that many points in a season is an incredible feat, J.T. Miller wants to be a more well-rounded player this year and wants to prove to everyone he can be a strong 200-foot player in the National Hockey League.

"Listen, I don't want my ceiling to be based on points," he said. "This is what I always try to tell you guys: I may play an even better 200-foot game this year and have 20 less points. That's not a failure to me. If our team's winning games, we might score less, but we might give up a lot less. That's the evolution for me. I want to be a really good 200-foot player in the league, and that doesn't change."

J.T. Miller and the Vancouver Canucks are set to open their 2024-25 season on Wednesday, October 9th as they host the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 pm PT and can be viewed across Canada on Sportsnet.