J.T. Miller Named 29th Captain in Rangers History Ahead of 2025-26 NHL Season

After going without a team captain last season, the New York Rangers have named J.T. Miller their captain going into the 2025-26 NHL season.

Rangers general manager Chris Drury announced on Tuesday that Miller has received the captain designation:

"We're pleased to announce J.T. Miller as the new captain of the New York Rangers. Since his arrival last season, J.T. immediately became a leader for our group and exemplifies how we want to conduct ourselves both on and off the ice. Congratulations to J.T. and his entire family on an incredibly meaningful achievement and we're confident he will continue to represent our organization with class, commitment, and integrity."

Miller is the 29th captain in Rangers history. The most recent person to wear the C on his jersey was Jacob Trouba, who was the captain for two seasons in 2022-23 and 2023-24.

Trouba technically had the designation at the start of last season, but he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 6.

Prior to Trouba being named captain, the Rangers went four years without anyone receiving the designation after Ryan McDonagh was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in February 2018.

Miller, who spent his first six seasons in the NHL with the Rangers, was also included in that deal to the Lightning. New York received three players and two draft picks in return, including a 2018 first-round selection.

The Rangers originally drafted Miller with the No. 15 overall pick in 2011. He made his NHL debut midway through the 2012-13 season, but injuries and a coaching change meant he didn't become a fixture in the lineup until 2014-15.

Miller made his first All-Star appearance during the 2023-24 season while playing for the Vancouver Canucks. He was reacquired by New York in January 2025 and scored 35 points in 32 games with the club in the regular season.

After missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 2020-21, the Rangers replaced Peter Laviolette with Mike Sullivan as head coach.

Signing Vladislav Gavrikov in free agency has New York hoping it can turn things around quickly. Inserting Miller, who was part of the last Rangers team to reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2013-14, as captain only adds to the optimism around the club.

The Rangers will open the regular season on Oct. 7 when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden.