“On this Monday, many of us lost a great and loyal friend. A man who put family above anything else, and yet he was so passionate about the game he loved, and the game he broadcast,” wrote hockey announcer John Shannon. The sportscaster recalled how Greg Millen, despite not winning the NHL’s great prize, became one of the sport’s most loved personalities through his sheer love for the game.

In fact, few had rubbed shoulders with some of the greatest individuals that the game has ever seen as Greg Millen did. Starting his journey with lofty aspirations, “Millen accomplished something, every Canadian kid aspires to do. He played in the NHL,” said Shannon. Yet, Millen had already played alongside Wayne Gretzky as a junior. His first coach? Hall of Famer Roger Neilson.

Greg Millen played 14 seasons of hockey in the NHL. Wondering who he played for? A more appropriate question would be: Who didn’t he play for? In his 600 hockey games in the league, Millen took on goaltending duties for the Penguins, Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, and other renowned teams. It’s only natural his passing devasted the entire community.

“Sad to lose such a class act. RIP Millsy!!!” a fan commented on X. Greg Millen’s playing career was only one dimension of his passion for hockey. After his playing career, Millen opened a new chapter by turning announcer. The 68 approached his new job just the way he had done when goaltending on the ice. “He wanted to be great every game,” added Shannon.

Millen approached his new job in the sport he loved with the same zeal, learning the ins and outs of broadcasting and play-by-play. In fact, he quickly became proficient enough to sprinkle in some humor with his announcing. It was an element fans came to appreciate about the late announcer’s style. Yet, Millsey didn’t simply want to be good at his job; he aimed to inspire passion in the audience.

The hockey community will keep Greg Millen’s legacy alive

The fans showed that during his time as an announcer, Millen succeeded in his mission to inspire the viewers. “Sorry, John!” a fan commented, empathizing with John Shannon. However, he couldn’t help but add how well the former NHL player has adapted to his new role. “Greg was great on any of the productions he was a part of, we will miss his voice,” added the fan.

And that sentiment was universal. Even legendary announcer Bob Cole appreciated Greg Millen’s hockey acumen. “I’d like Greg as the analyst,” said Cole when he retired. Coincidentally, Cole’s first death anniversary is just over two weeks. Meanwhile, others remembered how the NHL player was responsible for getting them into watching hockey.

“He played in the first NHL I ever saw in person. A 3-all tie between the Pens and Oilers in Edmonton. Ed Mii started for Edmonton,” commented another, recalling his unforgettable first game of ice hockey. And this was far from the only comment mentioning how fans remembered Millen as a memorable player.

“Got to meet him when he played for St. Louis in the bowels of the Los Angeles Forum in the late 80s. A real nice guy. May he Rest In Peace,” commented another fan. Even when Millen’s playing days were behind him, announcing reinvigorated his love for the sport. There is also another good reason why the former hockey goaltender got so good at announcing and analysis as well.

It was his coaching experience. Yes! Besides being a player and an announcer, the former goaltender also had a short stint as a coach. Millen moved to Peterborough, where he joined the Roger Neilson Hockey School with Johnny Bower and Bernie Parent, as per Sportsnet. Yet did his contribution stay limited to just coaching? Of course not.

At Peterborough, former NHL star helped writer Ed Arnold write two hockey books: Whose Puck Is It, Anyway?, and Showtime. So it’s no wonder Greg Millen was a natural in the booth. These are but snippets of Millen’s significant contribution to the game he loved. Sportsnet host Ryan Leslie explains just how much respect the community still holds for the late icon.

“Last night on the plane to Anaheim, Flames Captain Mikael Backlund had the entire team & staff recognize & salute our good friend Greg Millen. Pure class & leadership from Mikael… And it speaks to the impact Millsy made with so many,” revealed Leslie. With Millen’s passing on Monday, the NHL community has now lost two veteran voices in the span of a week.

Just four days ago, the community was shocked to learn about Edmonton Oilers’ journalist Bruce McCurdy’s untimely demise. Now, the 68-year-old’s death has only deepened the wound.