A shoulder injury limited Boston Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller to just 41 games last season. Miller is back to full health now, but the injury might have an impact on the way he plays the game moving forward.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound blueliner, who initially injured his shoulder in a fight last October, said Monday the potential consequences of dropping the gloves will be on his mind when he returns to the ice this fall.

“It’s obviously a part of my game, but I don’t think it’s something that defines my game,” Miller told WEEI.com. “I think that it’s something that’s definitely going to be in the back of your mind. Going into any fight, it’s in the back of your mind, getting injured, this and that. Having a shoulder injury issue is definitely something that will be in the back of my mind.

“I’m actually to the point now where I’ve been able to kind of hit the bag at home and feel OK. I feel really comfortable with my shoulder and where it’s at right now. Like I said, it will definitely be in the back of my mind, but I don’t think it will really affect me too much.”

Miller fought just once last season after doing so four times in 47 games in 2013-14. He recorded two goals and five assists before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery Feb. 16.

Thumbnail photo via Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports Images