The Boston Bruins 2019 Stanley Cup run turned out to be better than expected, but still a massive disappointment. And one defenseman wishes he could change that.
Kevan Miller played in just 39 games for the Bruins last season, and for him, the campaign is one he wishes he could forget. Losing the Stanley Cup Final is one thing, but when you can't help your team win the ultimate prize, it takes a toll on you mentally.
"I think that was probably the hardest thing to swallow," said Miller, according to BostonBruins.com's Eric Russo. "Especially come the playoffs, not being able to help the guys or be in that [Final]. That's something you dream about playing for, and that's something I'll think about for a long time."
The 31-year-old veteran is hoping for a change this coming season and is looking to come back healthier and stronger.
"It's the nature of it, it's a physical sport. Things happen and sometimes they just happen in droves and unfortunately that was the case last year. I'm hoping this year will be a lot different."
Although there's no timetable for his return to the ice, Miller said he's feeling good and is taking things one day at a time.
Boston Bruins
"The first couple of months there was a lot of the stuff over and over and over," said Miller. "I was on crutches and things like that, but now that I'm up and able to move around and workout and move some weight and do some stuff, it's encouraging and I'm feeling a lot better."
The big-bodied defenseman missed a majority of the 2018-19 campaign after suffering a slew of injuries, including a broken hand, fractured larynx, torn oblique and a broken knee cap. Miller is entering the last year of his four-year, $10 million deal and will become an unrestricted free agent following the close of the season.
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