VANCOUVER — Star centre J.T. Miller will return to the Canucks’ lineup on Thursday when Vancouver hosts the Florida Panthers.

The 31-year-old ahead took an indefinite go away from the group final month for private causes. He declined to say Thursday why he stepped away from hockey.

“I am right here with the group, and I am able to sit up for what is going on to occur sooner or later, not essentially what has occurred previously,” he informed reporters after the morning skate.

Miller has six targets and 10 assists in 17 video games this season however has not performed since Nov. 17.

He is missed 10 video games, throughout which the Canucks (14-8-5) went 5-3-2.

The centre wasn’t removed from the minds of Vancouver followers throughout his go away and chants of “J-T Mill-er!” broke out throughout a number of video games.

“It’s simply an instance of how a lot he means to the group and the town. He’s such an enormous piece to our group,” mentioned Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers. “However typically there’s issues larger than hockey. And props to him for stepping away and taking good care of these issues.”

Getting again within the lineup Thursday could include some rust, Miller admitted.

“I feel this weekend is 4 weeks (off), so I am going to attempt to preserve it straightforward on myself, play my recreation,” he mentioned. “Simply actually attempt to make it straightforward on myself, attempt to preserve it easy, attempt to play bodily — issues that I can management.”

The six-foot-one, 218-pound ahead from East Palestine, Ohio, put up a career-high 103 factors final season, then added one other 12 within the playoffs.

Picked fifteenth general by the New York within the 2011 draft, he is at present in his sixth season with the Canucks following stints with the Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

He was named to the U.S. group for February’s 4 Nations Face-Off event final week.

“I’m excited. He’s excited. The gamers are excited,” Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet mentioned of Miller’s return. “He’s among the best gamers within the league. So once you get a man like that again within the lineup, meaning so much.”

Miller provides velocity by means of the center of the ice and an emotional depth, Tocchet added.

“I simply suppose that the perspective firstly of the video games, he actually brings that, places the opposite group on their toes proper off the bat,” the coach mentioned. “He performs with loads of FU, and it is contagious. I feel having a man like him, he’ll assist drag guys into the battle. I feel that is what he is actually good at.”

Miller is the newest participant to rejoin a Canucks group that has been stricken by accidents early this season.

All-star goalie Thatcher Demko made his first begin of the marketing campaign Tuesday after sitting out practically eight months with a knee damage. Winger Dakota Joshua missed the beginning of the season as he recovered from remedy for testicular most cancers. Sniper Brock Boeser was sidelined practically three weeks by a concussion. Filip Hronek, one of many group’s prime defenceman, stays out after recovering from a “process” for a lower-body damage.

The group has discovered methods to win regardless of holes within the lineup, Miller mentioned.

“Clearly, with myself and Fil and Demmer and having some accidents, there’s been guys which have stepped up, and it has been good to see,” he mentioned.

“It was a heck of a highway journey by these guys, loads of journey, loads of video games, after which come again residence and get a pair factors. So clearly, it has been good, however we have got a tough schedule the subsequent week.”