Latest news with #GregMillen
New York Times
08-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Remembering Greg Millen, an NHLer, broadcaster and prankster who made his colleagues feel like family
'Scoops! Scoops!' I always knew when I was in the same arena as Greg Millen. That familiar greeting would come echoing down a hallway somewhere on the NHL circuit before I'd even had the chance to lay eyes on him. 'What's up, Scoops? What scoops are you working on today? What trouble are you stirring up now?' Advertisement The barrage of questions and accusations would arrive in rapid succession and inevitably be punctuated with a hearty chuckle. That was vintage Millsey. Quick to deliver a good-hearted needle and always with the last laugh. By that point, he'd already spent more time behind a microphone than he did tending a goal crease in the world's best hockey league, but he never lost sight of the player's point of view. During the years he worked as Sportsnet's analyst on Toronto Maple Leafs games, he never missed an opportunity to tut-tut the beat reporters when he felt we were pushing a storyline a little too far or barking up the wrong tree. Whether it was myself, Jonas Siegel, Mike Zeisberger or any of the other reporters covering the team on a regular basis, we always knew that Millsey was reading our work. He wasn't shy about making it known. The man made sure he was incredibly well-prepared every time he stepped into the booth to call a game, although he probably would have bristled if I had characterized his vociferous consumption of the Toronto media in those days as actual research for the job. You always knew when Millsey was working a game. Not so much by his booming baritone or a signature call on the broadcast, but the spilled coffee in the press box. The man absolutely loved to pull a prank and seemingly never tired of his old standby: sticking a pin in the bottom of a paper coffee cup before finding a safe place to watch while an unsuspecting reporter fumbled around with a leaky next pour. That gag was cited by more than one Toronto-based media member on an 'in memoriam' text chain that started up Monday night after the NHL Alumni Association announced Millen had passed away suddenly at age 67. His playing career spanned more than 600 games over 14 seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues, Quebec Nordiques, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings in a league that bears little resemblance to the one that exists today. Millsey would often tell stories about the perils of traveling commercially in his era and delighted in pointing out the various other creature comforts that were unavailable to players in the 1980s. Advertisement He went on to occupy one of the most coveted broadcast seats in the sport, working regularly on 'Hockey Night in Canada' and earning a spot alongside legendary play-by-play man Bob Cole — including for Cole's last game at the Bell Centre in Montreal on April 6, 2019. However, what I always appreciated most about Millsey was the fact he had so many interests beyond the game he loved. He spoke often with colleagues about his growing family, which includes wife Ann and children Caroline, Emily, Allison and Charlie. He was passionate about the Master's degree in leadership he earned from the University of Guelph in 2014, which led him to outside teaching and consulting work. In recent years, our paths didn't cross nearly as frequently. I haven't been on the road as much as I once was during the regular season, while Millsey mostly worked Calgary Flames broadcasts. When last we exchanged texts, we wished each other a Merry Christmas and I told him that I missed hearing his regular Leafs observations. 'Miss the crew as well but thankfully my new Calgary family is a good group!!' he replied. You'll note his use of the word family in that text. It's how he treated his colleagues. Which brings me to the other side of Millsey. Early in the 2015-16 season, my mother Linda became unexpectedly ill and I took a leave from my job covering the Leafs beat to help my family manage that situation. My mom wound up fighting for two months following a Glioblastoma diagnosis before dying in January 2016. Her funeral was held in my hometown of Cobourg, Ont., at the outset of the NHL's All-Star Weekend in Nashville, which prevented a lot of colleagues from being able to attend. About the last person I expected to see walk through the doors that morning was Millsey, but there he was. He made the 45-minute drive on his own and came to pay his respects despite never having met any members of my immediate family. Advertisement Unless you've been through that kind of loss yourself, it might be difficult to understand just how meaningful his gesture was for me during an incredibly difficult time. It was massive. It blew me away. And it breaks my heart today to know that Millsey's family is now navigating its own crashing waves of grief and sadness after losing him without warning far too soon. May they eventually find solace in their warmest memories. Because here's the thing about Greg Millen: Beneath the curmudgeonly veneer he occasionally adopted and that good-natured ribbing he always dished out was a man with a heart of gold. A man of great integrity. A man who always found his own unique way of not letting colleagues lose sight of the fact that there are much more important things in life than the games or the scoops. (Top photos: Noah Graham and Graig Abel / Getty Images)
Washington Post
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Greg Millen, a longtime NHL goaltender and hockey analyst, dies at 67
Greg Millen, a longtime NHL goaltender and hockey analyst, died on Monday. He was 67. The NHL Alumni Association didn't provide a cause in announcing his death on social media . Millen suited up in 14 NHL seasons with six different teams — the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues, Quebec Nordiques, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings. He finished his career 215-284-89 with a 3.88 goals-against average. He also had 17 shutouts. After his playing career, Millen immediately slid over into broadcasting. He was with the Ottawa Senators during their inaugural season in 1992-93. Over his broadcasting career, Millen was part of CBC's 'Hockey Night in Canada' and the NHL on Sportsnet. He covered three Olympic Games, two World Cups of Hockey, 12 Stanley Cup finals and 12 NHL All-Star games. 'The Pittsburgh Penguins extend their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of former Penguins goaltender and NHL broadcaster, Greg Millen,' the team wrote in a statement on social media. Millen was a sixth-round pick of the Penguins in 1977. The Blues echoed those sentiments on social media. Millen spent parts of six seasons with St. Louis. Chris Pronger, a Hall of Fame defenseman, posted on social media: 'Sad day learning of Greg Millen's passing. He was one of the first NHL players I got to interact with when I was in Peterborough. He was in between NHL jobs and wanted to get some shots. Generous with his time and talking about the game. Lost a great man today. RIP Millsy.' In a statement, Sportsnet said Millen was a 'trusted and familiar voice in the homes of millions of Canadians for more than 30 years.' The network added: 'As both a player and broadcaster, Greg left an indelible mark on the sport, as well as everyone who had the pleasure to know him, watch him, and listen to him.' ___ AP NHL:
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hockey world reacts to death of longtime goalie, beloved broadcaster Greg Millen
The hockey world is mourning the death of Greg Millen, a fixture around NHL rinks for close to five decades — between the pipes and later in the broadcast booth. His passing was announced Monday by the NHL Alumni Association. He was 67. As Sportsnet said in a statement: 'As both a player and broadcaster, Greg left an indelible mark on the sport, as well as everyone who had the pleasure to know him, watch him and listen to him.' Millen totalled more than 600 appearances as an NHL goaltender, including stints with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues, Quebec Nordiques, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings. The Toronto-raised twine-minder represented Canada at the world championship in 1982 and led the NHL in shutouts in 1988-89, when he posted six goose-eggs on behalf of the Blues. When he was done stopping pucks, he earned a reputation as one of the most honest and insightful analysts in the game. His voice was heard for years on Hockey Night in Canada and his long list of booth assignments included a dozen Stanley Cup finals and a hat-trick of Olympic tournaments. Most recently, Millen was a regular on Calgary Flames telecasts on Sportsnet. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with Greg Millen's family and friends following his passing today,' the Flames said in a statement. 'After his 14-season NHL career, Greg went into broadcasting and we were so fortunate to have him as a part of our Flames Sportsnet family. Rest in peace, Millsy.' Millen leaves behind a wife and four children. As the media contingent at the Saddledome can attest, he always loved to talk hockey but would really beam when asked about his grandkids. The tributes to Millen rolled in Monday on social media …
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Greg Millen, a longtime NHL goaltender and hockey analyst, dies at 67
FILE - Edmonton Oilers' Wayne Gretzky (99) reaches out to handle the puck in front of St. Louis Blues' goalie Greg Millen (29) to set up a scoring attempt during the first period of NHL game played, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 1986 in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Oscar Waters,File) FILE - Greg Millen talks with the media about his friendship with Bob Cole as he leaves Cole's memorial service at the St. Thomas Anglican Church in St. John's, Friday, May 3, 2024. (Paul Daly/The Canadian Press via AP, File) FILE - Greg Millen talks with the media about his friendship with Bob Cole as he leaves Cole's memorial service at the St. Thomas Anglican Church in St. John's, Friday, May 3, 2024. (Paul Daly/The Canadian Press via AP, File) FILE - Edmonton Oilers' Wayne Gretzky (99) reaches out to handle the puck in front of St. Louis Blues' goalie Greg Millen (29) to set up a scoring attempt during the first period of NHL game played, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 1986 in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Oscar Waters,File) FILE - Greg Millen talks with the media about his friendship with Bob Cole as he leaves Cole's memorial service at the St. Thomas Anglican Church in St. John's, Friday, May 3, 2024. (Paul Daly/The Canadian Press via AP, File) Greg Millen, a longtime NHL goaltender and hockey analyst, died on Monday. He was 67. The NHL Alumni Association didn't provide a cause in announcing his death on social media. Millen suited up in 14 NHL seasons with six different teams — the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues, Quebec Nordiques, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings. He finished his career 215-284-89 with a 3.88 goals-against average. He also had 17 shutouts. Advertisement After his playing career, Millen immediately slid over into broadcasting. He was with the Ottawa Senators during their inaugural season in 1992-93. Over his broadcasting career, Millen was part of CBC's 'Hockey Night in Canada' and the NHL on Sportsnet. He covered three Olympic Games, two World Cups of Hockey, 12 Stanley Cup finals and 12 NHL All-Star games. 'The Pittsburgh Penguins extend their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of former Penguins goaltender and NHL broadcaster, Greg Millen,' the team wrote in a statement on social media. Millen was a sixth-round pick of the Penguins in 1977. The Blues echoed those sentiments on social media. Millen spent parts of six seasons with St. Louis. Advertisement Chris Pronger, a Hall of Fame defenseman, posted on social media: 'Sad day learning of Greg Millen's passing. He was one of the first NHL players I got to interact with when I was in Peterborough. He was in between NHL jobs and wanted to get some shots. Generous with his time and talking about the game. Lost a great man today. RIP Millsy.' In a statement, Sportsnet said Millen was a 'trusted and familiar voice in the homes of millions of Canadians for more than 30 years.' The network added: 'As both a player and broadcaster, Greg left an indelible mark on the sport, as well as everyone who had the pleasure to know him, watch him, and listen to him.' ___ AP NHL:
Associated Press
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Greg Millen, a longtime NHL goaltender and hockey analyst, dies at 67
Greg Millen, a longtime NHL goaltender and hockey analyst, died on Monday. He was 67. The NHL Alumni Association didn't provide a cause in announcing his death on social media. Millen suited up in 14 NHL seasons with six different teams — the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues, Quebec Nordiques, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings. He finished his career 215-284-89 with a 3.88 goals-against average. He also had 17 shutouts. After his playing career, Millen immediately slid over into broadcasting. He was with the Ottawa Senators during their inaugural season in 1992-93. Over his broadcasting career, Millen was part of CBC's 'Hockey Night in Canada' and the NHL on Sportsnet. He covered three Olympic Games, two World Cups of Hockey, 12 Stanley Cup finals and 12 NHL All-Star games. 'The Pittsburgh Penguins extend their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of former Penguins goaltender and NHL broadcaster, Greg Millen,' the team wrote in a statement on social media. Millen was a sixth-round pick of the Penguins in 1977. The Blues echoed those sentiments on social media. Millen spent parts of six seasons with St. Louis. Chris Pronger, a Hall of Fame defenseman, posted on social media: 'Sad day learning of Greg Millen's passing. He was one of the first NHL players I got to interact with when I was in Peterborough. He was in between NHL jobs and wanted to get some shots. Generous with his time and talking about the game. Lost a great man today. RIP Millsy.' In a statement, Sportsnet said Millen was a 'trusted and familiar voice in the homes of millions of Canadians for more than 30 years.' The network added: 'As both a player and broadcaster, Greg left an indelible mark on the sport, as well as everyone who had the pleasure to know him, watch him, and listen to him.' ___
