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 91裸聊视频� and he91裸聊视频檚 set to play his 800th regular-season game Wednesday when the team opens the 2024-25 campaign against the Calgary Flames.

91裸聊视频淭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,91裸聊视频� Miller said Wednesday morning.

91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 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 I91裸聊视频檓 at. But, obviously, I91裸聊视频檝e got a lot of help from coaches and stuff along the way.91裸聊视频�

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 he91裸聊视频檇 say to the player who was preparing for that game, Miller grew reflective.

91裸聊视频淥h, man. Try to enjoy it. It91裸聊视频檚 a fun job that we get to have, but it is a job,91裸聊视频� he said.

91裸聊视频淭he quicker you can learn, the quicker you91裸聊视频檒l stay and quicker you91裸聊视频檒l be acclimated. So just try to be a sponge 91裸聊视频� Try to take in as much as you can, even though it91裸聊视频檚 very difficult.91裸聊视频�

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, Vancouver91裸聊视频檚 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.

91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 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,91裸聊视频� Tocchet said. 91裸聊视频淚 have a lot of respect for him.91裸聊视频�

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 team91裸聊视频檚 success, said captain Quinn Hughes.

91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 been tremendous,91裸聊视频� Hughes said. 91裸聊视频淛ust a great player, great leader for our group. And 800 games is a lot of games. Really excited for him.91裸聊视频�

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 91裸聊视频� complete with Garland91裸聊视频檚 face 91裸聊视频� following the morning skate.

There won91裸聊视频檛 be a similar tribute for Miller on Wednesday, Hughes said.

91裸聊视频�800 is a great milestone, but we91裸聊视频檒l wait for him to get 1,000,91裸聊视频� he said with a grin.