J.T. Miller Named Winner of Fifth Annual Rod Gilbert 'Mr. Ranger' Award

Rangers forward honored for leadership on and off the ice, and humanitarian contributions to the community.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:06pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a hockey player in mid-motion, with sharp planes of blue, red, and white representing the New York Rangers' uniform colors. The abstract, cubist style conveys the intensity and leadership of the award-winning player.The cubist-inspired illustration captures the dynamic energy and leadership of J.T. Miller, the latest recipient of the prestigious Rod Gilbert 'Mr. Ranger' Award.NYC Today

New York Rangers forward J.T. Miller has been named the recipient of the fifth annual Rod Gilbert "Mr. Ranger" Award, given to the Rangers player "who best honors Rod's legacy by exemplifying leadership qualities both on and off the ice, and making a significant humanitarian contribution to his community." Miller, who was named the 29th captain of the Rangers prior to the season, has proven a genuine commitment to making a positive impact in the community, including a $154,000 donation to the Garden of Dreams Foundation, the largest donation to the organization by a player in franchise history.

Why it matters

The Rod Gilbert "Mr. Ranger" Award recognizes the player who best embodies the leadership and community spirit that defined the legendary Rangers forward Rod Gilbert's career. Miller's selection highlights the organization's commitment to developing well-rounded players who contribute both on the ice and in the local community.

The details

With his donation to the Garden of Dreams Foundation, Miller and his wife Natalie helped purchase 10 suites to invite youth from various partner organizations to attend Rangers games and meet the couple. Miller has also been actively involved in other team community initiatives throughout the season, including post-game fan meet-and-greets. On the ice, Miller has registered 16 goals and 31 assists for 47 points in 61 games this season, ranking third on the team in faceoff wins, fourth in hits, and fifth in points.

  • Miller was named the 29th captain of the New York Rangers prior to the start of the 2026-27 season.
  • In January 2027, Miller and his wife Natalie donated $154,000 to the Garden of Dreams Foundation.
  • Earlier this year, Miller was named to the 2026 United States Men's Hockey Team and returned from the Olympics in Milan, Italy as a gold medalist.

The players

J.T. Miller

A 29-year-old forward for the New York Rangers who was named the 29th captain of the team prior to the 2026-27 season. Miller has proven a genuine commitment to making a positive impact in the community, including a $154,000 donation to the Garden of Dreams Foundation.

Rod Gilbert

A legendary New York Rangers forward whose legacy is honored by the annual "Mr. Ranger" award, given to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities both on and off the ice, and makes a significant humanitarian contribution to the community.

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What they’re saying

“J.T. Miller has proven a genuine commitment to making a positive impact in the community, and his leadership both on and off the ice make him the perfect recipient of the Rod Gilbert 'Mr. Ranger' Award.”

— Chris Drury, New York Rangers President and General Manager

What’s next

Miller will be honored at a special ceremony during the Rangers' final home game of the regular season on April 13, 2027.

The takeaway

The selection of J.T. Miller as the recipient of the Rod Gilbert 'Mr. Ranger' Award highlights the organization's commitment to developing well-rounded players who contribute both on the ice and in the local community. Miller's leadership, humanitarian efforts, and on-ice performance make him a deserving winner of this prestigious honor.