One of Canada’s longest serving broadcasters has announced his departure.
After serving as a broadcaster with Sportsnet since the station’s first day in 1998, Daren Millard is moving on to new endeavors.
In an emotional public announcement, Millard mentioned multiple career highlights like hosting the Olympic Games, interviewing Tiger Woods and working several Memorial Cup tournaments.
“This decision involves many factors and soul searching and it arrives with layers and layers of emotion,” said Millard in a statement.
“As a Day 1’er I have always carried an extra pound of pride and it’s difficult to walk away from that.”
Millard wore many hats while at Sportsnet, originally as an anchor for sports highlight shows, he also worked on Hockey Night in Canada broadcast and hosted a radio how with Sportsnet 590 The Fan in Toronto.
From everyone @Sportsnet and @MooreScottmoore, thank you for being here from the start. We will miss you @darenmillard. pic.twitter.com/9l6RmzSwil
— Sportsnet PR (@SportsnetPR) August 1, 2018
Many of Millard's peers have reach out via Twitter to send their best wishes:
I just wanted to say thank you to @darenmillard for being a great teammate over the years and for making me feel welcome at @Sportsnet since the day I arrived
— Ken Reid (@SNKenReid) August 1, 2018
Going to be very strange to turn on @Sportsnet and not see @darenmillard. Loved working with him the last four years, especially on trade deadline, draft and free agency. All the best, Daren. We will continue to grow the legacy you built from Day One.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 1, 2018
Best of luck bud. Hope whatever it is is amazing for you.
— James Duthie (@tsnjamesduthie) August 1, 2018
Good luck, man. All the best.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) August 1, 2018
Just a quick note to thank and send my best wishes to #NHL #hockeycentral @darenmillard who announced he is leaving #Sportsnet. Good luck on the next chapter of your career.
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) August 1, 2018
Millard released the following statement to announce his decision:
From my earliest memories, watching, playing, or talking sports has been at the centre. For two decades I have lived my dream of working at a national sports network. I was given opportunities to host Olympic Games, NHL games and special events, interview Tiger after a career shot, and work so many Memorial Cup tournaments. It’s in that wake of history that I have decided to pursue a challenge beyond Sportsnet. This decision involves many factors and soul searching and it arrives with layers and layers of emotion. As a Day 1’er I have always carried an extra pound of pride and it’s difficult to walk away from that. I would like to recognize the producers, directors, camera operators and production crews I was blessed to work with. For many of us, this has been a long, incredible journey. It is one that I hope we are able to walk together again down the road. For now I get to try something different. Just know that Sportsnet is special and you are lucky. I know that because I was for 20 years.
