Absent from the National Hockey League rinks for 21 months, Boston Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller made a strong comeback with his teammates on Monday when training camp opened.
A series of knee injuries forced the 33-year-old to be absent for half of the 2018-19 season and draw the line on the following campaign. The Bruins expressed their confidence in the American by offering him a one-year contract extension last October.
“It was amazing to see him. I almost got goosebumps watching it, said Brad Marchand, who is a good friend of Miller’s, to the Boston Hockey Now website. Not only is he back, but he’s in good shape … he’s a real animal right now. Looks like he didn’t miss a thing. “
Boston needed good news like this, as its defensive squad has lost big chunks recently. With the departure of Torey Krug, and even more so because of that of Zdeno Chara, Miller’s defensive skills and intimidating character are welcome.
Coach Bruce Cassidy knows his team has several leaders despite the captain’s departure, and that includes Miller, a six-season veteran.
“We have [Kevan Miller] back, who looks good, back in the locker room and can become a leader again with the group. Hopefully he heals his game first, but I admit he always did a good job of leadership for us. ”
With the youth turn to the blue line of the “Bears”, Miller could expect to occupy the role of sixth or seventh defenseman, the same chair that Chara abandoned to join the Capitals of Washington.
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