Vincent Desharnais, the 28-year-old new addition to the Vancouver Canucks, didn’t hold back when asked about his first impression of Canucks’ star J.T. Miller. During a light-hearted Q&A session at the annual Jake Milford charity golf tournament, Desharnais, the former Edmonton Oilers defenseman, delivered a blunt and memorable assessment of his new teammate.
Desharnais didn’t sugarcoat his response when asked what he learned about Miller during their intense playoff showdown last spring. The Oilers managed to outlast the Canucks in seven games, but it left a lasting impression on Desharnais.
“J.T. Miller is an asshole,” Desharnais said to laughter and applause from the audience. “But seriously, playing against you guys was tough. You were relentless on the ice, and I’ll do whatever it takes to help us go all the way this season.”
Miller, known for his fiery attitude and no-nonsense style of play, has developed a reputation both on and off the ice. His willingness to express his emotions, whether through F-bombs or aggressive gestures like stick slams, is part of what makes him such a polarizing figure. His teammates love his intensity, while his opponents often can’t stand him.
Despite the controversy, Miller’s passion and grit have proven effective. Last season, he had a career-high performance, netting 37 goals and finishing with 103 points, placing him first in team scoring and ninth overall in the NHL.
Pettersson Looks Ahead to a Healthier Season
While Desharnais’ remarks about Miller made headlines, Elias Pettersson, another key piece of the Canucks’ puzzle, remained relatively quiet at the golf event. Pettersson has plenty of reasons to look forward to the upcoming season, especially after battling knee tendinitis that hindered his performance last year.
Despite his struggles with injury, Pettersson still managed to finish the season with 89 points (34 goals, 55 assists), ranking third on the team. However, the pain took its toll, limiting him to just one goal in the final 13 regular-season games and six points in the playoffs.
Heading into this season, Pettersson is eager to put his injury woes behind him. “It was a noisy season for me, with the injuries and contract talks,” Pettersson said before the offseason. “I’m ready for a break, but I’ll come back stronger and in better shape for next season.”
Experts believe Pettersson’s injury, which was diagnosed as tendinopathy (rather than tendinitis), should not be a long-term issue if properly managed. Dr. Harjas Grewal, a B.C. physician with extensive hockey experience, explained that with the right rehabilitation program focused on progressive strengthening and proper movement patterns, Pettersson should be back to his best form.
“If his offseason program was effective, the chances of his injury recurring are quite low,” said Dr. Grewal. “He should be pain-free and even stronger heading into the season.”
With Desharnais joining the team, Miller’s fiery leadership, and a rejuvenated Pettersson, the Canucks have a lot to look forward to as they gear up for the upcoming NHL season.
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