K’Andre Miller’s Three-game suspension for spitting in the face of the Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty has come to an end.
The Rangers defenseman is hoping to return to the ice with a renewed focus after the enforced rest.
“Yeah, it sucked,” Miller said of his suspension after the team’s practice Tuesday morning.
“Complete, obvious accident, and unfortunate that it happened,” he said. “It’s a disgusting habit that I’m assuming a lot of athletes have in general. It sucked that it happened but I’m moving on and just looking to play good hockey the rest of the stretch here.”
The Rangers managed to win the first game of his suspension against the Philadelphia Flyers but suffered defeats to the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins in the final two games.
Miller said the week-long absence was tough on him.
“It was really hard [to watch the team]the days get pretty boring quickly being out that long,” he said.
The time away did, however, allow the defenseman the opportunity to reset his mind.
“I think it was a good mind and body reset,” Miller said. “A little break away from the rink but still coming in, getting good workouts, getting good skates in, staying in the best shape I can with the circumstances.”
Miller, who was fined by the NHL $15,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct on Feb. 28, said he doesn’t believe the incident defines who he is as a person.
“All my friends, my family, the guys in this room, all these guys know the type of person I am and the type of person that got kicked out of that game against LA, that’s not me,” the 23-year-old said. “That’s not my personality, that’s not the type of player or person I am.
“I think people know that. Like I said, it was just an unfortunate circumstance.