Canucks star J.T. Miller takes indefinite leave from team for personal reasons

Vancouver Canucks star center J.T. Miller took an indefinite leave from the hockey club for personal reasons, the Canucks announced Tuesday ahead of their morning skate.

Vancouver is set to host the New York Rangers at Rogers Arena on Tuesday night.

"Right now our sole focus is making sure that J.T. knows the entire organization is here to support him," Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement released by the club. "Out of respect for J.T., we will have no further comment at this time."

While it's relatively common for NHL players to be granted a leave of absence for personal reasons, such absences tend to fall under the umbrella of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. They are typically made jointly with the league and the player's association.

The hockey club doesn't intend speak further on the matter, and only routine game day availabilities, including with Canucks players and coach Rick Tocchet, are scheduled to take place Tuesday morning.

Miller, 31, has been Vancouver's top forward since Tocchet took over behind the bench in the spring of 2023, and emerged as a fan favorite and the clear emotional leader of a Canucks team that vastly exceeded expectations during the 2023-24 campaign. This season, Miller is producing at a near point-per-game rate while logging over 18 minutes of ice time per game.

While Miller has remained productive this season, he's appeared to be less than 100 percent physically and his two-way form hasn't been at quite the superstar level he managed last season. The veteran forward sustained an undisclosed injury in the preseason that limited him to just one preseason appearance. He then sustained another apparent upper-body injury just a few games into the year against the Philadelphia Flyers . While Miller didn't miss any game time, returning shortly after he sustained that injury in Philadelphia, it took him a few games before he returned to taking face-offs.

On Sunday night, Miller was benched in the third period of the club's game against the Nashville Predators and didn't see the ice for the final 14 minutes and 40 seconds of the club's 5-3 loss.

(Photo: Derek Cain / )