Miller Announces Retirement After Seven Seasons with Bruins

BostonBruins.com - After seven NHL seasons - all with the Black & Gold - Kevan Miller announced his retirement on Wednesday afternoon

Miller played just 67 games over the last three seasons - which included him sitting out the entire 2019-20 campaign - after a broken kneecap suffered in April 2019, and several subsequent setbacks, put his career in jeopardy.
Through months of tireless and strenuous rehab, however, the 33-year-old eventually returned to the B's lineup in January and played in 28 games - and four playoff contests - during the 2020-21 season. Despite getting back on the ice, Miller still required extra rest and recovery, as well as continued treatment on his knee, which ultimately led to his decision to hang up his skates.
"Although my spirit for the game is there, unfortunately my body isn't," Miller said in his announcement. "My overall health and my family are now the priority. This was not an easy decision to make, but it's time to hang up my skates."
Here's a look back at his career with the Bruins:

October 21, 2011

The University of Vermont product signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Bruins and joined Providence, where he spent the first three seasons (135 games) of his professional career.

November 21, 2013

Over two years of hard work and dedication with Providence finally paid off, as Miller made his NHL debut, playing 17:42 with a plus-1 rating, in the B's shootout loss to St. Louis.

December 8, 2013

The blue liner notched his first career goal in the Bruins' 5-2 win over the Maple Leafs in Toronto.

March 24, 2014

Miller was known for his toughness, grit, and willingness to always stand up for his teammates, as evidenced by his 21 career fights, including his first NHL bout against Montreal's Travis Moen.

April 20, 2014

Miller suited up for his first postseason game, Boston's 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings in Game 2 of the first round.

April 7, 2018

Miller was named the winner of the Eddie Shore Award, presented annually by the Gallery Gods to the Bruins player who displays exceptional hustle and determination.

April 14, 2018

The Los Angeles native picked up his first and only career playoff goal in the B's 7-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 2 of the first round.

January 14, 2021

Nearly two years after his knee injury - originally suffered on April 4, 2019 - Miller returned to the Bruins' lineup for their season-opening contest against the New Jersey Devils in Newark.

April 23, 2021

Miller, donning the 'A' as he did on a number of occasions over the years, potted the final goal of his career - a nifty dangle through the slot - during Boston's loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

More photos:

Miller and his wife Haley with daughter Remi and dog Oakley during the Bruins annual Pucks and Pups calendar shoot in 2018.

One of Miller's off-ice priorities was his support of military personnel and their families. Miller was always a leader in the Bruins Military Appreciation initiatives and in 2016 was part of the B's delegation - along with alums Hal Gill and Andrew Raycroft - that visited Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

Miller played in two Winter Classics as a member of the Bruins, the first in 2016 at Gillette Stadium and the second in 2019 at Notre Dame Stadium.

Miller was on the ice for longtime teammate Torey Krug's memorable tying goal in the third period of Boston's Game 7 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Miller scored the empty-netter in the B's 3-1 preseason win over the Calgary Flames during the 2018 NHL China Games in Beijing. He also explored The Great Wall of China with his teammates.

Miller became an integral part of the B's leadership core over the last several years, helping Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara, and the rest of Boston's veterans welcome in a new wave of young talent.

Among the youngsters that Miller helped groom was Brandon Carlo, who expressed his appreciation for Miller while reacting to his new contract extension on Wednesday. "Probably the guy that I've grown closest with over the last couple years," said Carlo. "He's been a huge mentor of mine. We've had many conversations. Coming into the league and being a right-handed defenseman, playing in similar roles...he did such a good job handling me and helping me along the way.
"I just want to congratulate him on his retirement. I wish I could have played many, many more years with him. But I'm thankful for the time that I did get and for the lifelong friendship that we'll have."