Ex-NHL goalie, longtime broadcaster Greg Millen dead at 67

Greg Millen, who spent 14 years in the NHL and became a household name in Canada on “Hockey Night in Canada,” died at the age of 67. 

No cause of death was given. 

“It is with heavy hearts we share the sudden passing of Greg Millen today,” the NHL Alumni Association said in a statement on Monday. “Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with Greg’s family at this very difficult time.”

Millen was selected by the Penguins in the sixth round in 1977 before spending the next 14 seasons tending net for the Penguins, Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues, Quebec Nordiques, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings.

His best career year came during the 1988-89 season while he was playing with the Blues.

He posted a 3.38 goals against average and .879 save percentage with a league-leading six shutouts. 

During his career, Millen went 215-284 with 89 ties, while recording a 3.88 GAA, .873 save percentage and 17 shutouts. 

In the postseason, Millen had a 3.43 GAA and .885 save percentage. 

He hung up his pads after the 1991-92 season and moved into the broadcast booth during the 1992-93 season, covering the Ottawa Senators, who were beginning their inaugural season in the NHL. 

He would eventually move into the “Hockey Night in Canada” booth as an analyst, as well as working for Sportsnet in Canada. 

Millen covered 12 Stanley Cup Finals, three Olympic Games and two World Cup of Hockeys. 

“His broadcasting career includes roles as a colour commentator for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada and the NHL on Sportsnet, where he worked alongside Hockey Night in Canada Greats Bob Cole, Harry Neale, Don Cherry, Ron MacLean and Jim Hughson. Greg worked with our NHL Alumni Executive Director Glenn Healy where both served as analysts and were part of the same Hockey Night in Canada broadcast team,” the alumni association said in a statement. 

“He was known and loved by all in the broadcasting world!” 

Millen is survived by his wife and four children.