There was a time J.T. Miller struggled to work his way into an NHL lineup.

Now the 31-year-old is a stalwart centre for the Vancouver Canucks 香蕉视频直播� and he香蕉视频直播檚 set to play his 800th regular-season game Wednesday when the team opens the 2024-25 campaign against the Calgary Flames.

香蕉视频直播淭he older I get, the more I respect guys that can play for a long time. And super lucky, fortunate, especially health wise, to play in this many games,香蕉视频直播� Miller said Wednesday morning.

香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 a time 10 or 11 years ago when I was just trying to get into the lineup. I feel very, very lucky to be where I香蕉视频直播檓 at. But, obviously, I香蕉视频直播檝e got a lot of help from coaches and stuff along the way.香蕉视频直播�

Hailing from East Palestine, Ohio, Miller was picked 15th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2011 draft.

He made his NHL debut back on Feb. 5, 2013 as the Rangers faced the Devils in New Jersey. Asked what he香蕉视频直播檇 say to the player who was preparing for that game, Miller grew reflective.

香蕉视频直播淥h, man. Try to enjoy it. It香蕉视频直播檚 a fun job that we get to have, but it is a job,香蕉视频直播� he said.

香蕉视频直播淭he quicker you can learn, the quicker you香蕉视频直播檒l stay and quicker you香蕉视频直播檒l be acclimated. So just try to be a sponge 香蕉视频直播� Try to take in as much as you can, even though it香蕉视频直播檚 very difficult.香蕉视频直播�

The six-foot-one, 218-pound forward spent parts of six seasons in New York before he was dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning in February 2018.

The Lightning then sent him to the Canucks at the 2019 draft in exchange for goalie Marek Mazanec, Vancouver香蕉视频直播檚 3rd-round pick in 2019 and a conditional 1st-round selection in 2020.

During five seasons in Vancouver, Miller has grown as a player and a person, said Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet.

香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 always trying to get better every day, physically and mentally, his approach to the game and how he can be better off the ice and on the ice when it comes to the game,香蕉视频直播� Tocchet said. 香蕉视频直播淚 have a lot of respect for him.香蕉视频直播�

Miller posted career highs in both goals (37) and points (103) last season as Vancouver finished atop the Pacific Division, then battled through two gritty playoff rounds.

The sometimes gruff centreman was an important part of the team香蕉视频直播檚 success, said captain Quinn Hughes.

香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 been tremendous,香蕉视频直播� Hughes said. 香蕉视频直播淛ust a great player, great leader for our group. And 800 games is a lot of games. Really excited for him.香蕉视频直播�

When Canucks winger Conor Garland hit the 400-game mark late last season, Miller organized T-shirts to celebrate the milestone and most players donned the garments 香蕉视频直播� complete with Garland香蕉视频直播檚 face 香蕉视频直播� following the morning skate.

There won香蕉视频直播檛 be a similar tribute for Miller on Wednesday, Hughes said.

香蕉视频直播�800 is a great milestone, but we香蕉视频直播檒l wait for him to get 1,000,香蕉视频直播� he said with a grin.