In March of 2023, Brock Boeser needed guidance to get him through a trying year, substandard season and worked with a life coach.
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What’s wrong? When will he return?
They are understandable queries that require considerable reflection to put his current plight into proper perspective.
The weight of expectation in this marketplace is immense and the mental and physical toll of meeting personal and team objectives can be crushing. Miller holds himself to an incredibly high standard to prove to his critics that he can be a dynamic and responsible centre, not one prone to turnovers and bad penalties.
All that is accentuated by the blood-and-guts, drag-them-into-the-fight and heart-on-his-sleeve monikers that we affix to a combustible and occasionally cantankerous star of wonder.
Those stick slams and F-bombs of frustration, challenging teammates on the bench, and being a galvanizing force in the room, are why he’s the club’s moral compass. And when it goes astray, it makes for a more difficult day.
Whatever ailments Miller has played through since the outset of this season — coupled with the strain to maintain positivity during a drop in production — it has obviously had an effect.
When Miller took his leave on Nov. 19, it was stunning yet not totally surprising. In our macho male world, it’s customary to suppress a constant struggle to succeed and avoid the danger signals.
Reaching out is the real sign of a real man.
“First and foremost, I’m very proud of J.T. seeking help,” Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin told Sportsnet earlier this week to provide clarity to his absence. “I don’t know if he said it, but I believe he is going to be a better person, better teammate and better hockey player when he returns.
“And we sure miss him, he’s such an impactful hockey player. I think we have and the league has all the right support to help him.”
Miller has always tried to harness his emotions and his devotion was obvious last season.
For that, fans chanted his name. And for his every-night fight, they have done the same.
The winger returned from a concussion Tuesday in Boston after missing seven games from a brutal blindside hit by Los Angeles Kings winger Tanner Jeannot on Nov. 7 that targeted his head.
Boeser was challenged to remain patient and follow proper recovery protocol while Jeannot served a three-game suspension.
In March of 2023, Boeser needed guidance to get him through a trying year and substandard season.
The rumour mill had linked him to a number of transactions before the trade deadline and what the strains proved is that he’s human. He didn’t take a leave, but he took stock of his situation.
“Definitely, some mental stuff that I’m still working through on a personal level,” he told me at that time. “I have a guy outside our team that I’ve been working with — kind of a life (coach) guy.
“With the things I’ve gone through, and last year while still trying to play, it was really hard.
“From that aspect, I’m just trying to get back to my true self and being the hockey player I was before. And get back to that mindset of coming to the rink and getting better every day — scoring goals and having that confidence.
“I really felt that I’ve lost that over the last couple of years, just dealing with stuff and I’m just trying to find that swagger. It’s important to make sure you’re good mentally.”
That’s what Miller is trying to do. And for that, he deserves privacy, support and understanding from all of us.
The NHL Players’ Association also provides access to confidential counselling, a phone number available any time, and annual meetings for every team with program administrators.
“Having that support system for our players is imperative in life,” said Nashville Predators coach Andrew Brunette, who played 16 NHL seasons. “Some of those things are bigger than a hockey puck. Players are very fortunate to use it.”