Sunday Chat is a weekly feature appearing in the Blade’s print and digital platforms each week.
Veteran radio broadcaster Mike Miller, a West Toledo native, reached the highest level of hockey calling games for the New Jersey Devils.
Miller started his career in 1980 calling Toledo Goaldiggers games at the Sports Arena.
In his career, Miller called a total of 2,559 hockey games at all levels of the sport. Miller was behind the mic for 1,005 games in the International Hockey League, calling games for the Toledo and Kalamazoo franchises.
In 1993, Miller reached the NHL and called 734 for the New Jersey Devils. After a health scare, Miller left the mic and returned home to become the general manager of the Toledo Storm from 2002-06.
In his last broadcasting stop, Miller called over 800 games for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League.
Miller also hosted a weekly radio show on 1470 AM called “Face-Off the Hockey Show.” He continues to work in the business department at Tam-O-Shanter. Miller and his wife, Sue, have two grown daughters, Lindsay and Kayla.
Miller has battled cancer twice, including vocal cord cancer that affected his broadcasting career.
Miller, 71, has three grandchildren (Bode, Elle, and Chase). He and his wife live in Luna Pier, Mich.
The Blade: What makes Toledo one of the best minor league hockey markets in the country?
Miller: I think of it in terms of historical, geographical, and generational context. The history is remarkable with its 11 league championships. On the geographical side, Toledo is in the middle of four major league markets: Detroit, Cincinnati, Chicago, and Cleveland. When you talk about generational, I know families that have had three or four generations of Toledo hockey fans — that’s special. Top that off with the marketing machine the Walleye have developed, it's really something.
The Blade: Were sports always a big part of your life growing up in West Toledo?
Miller: Yes, absolutely. I played everything season to season almost daily: baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and golf. It started with my parents. Both loved sports. They owned a Tavern on Alexis Road and the only thing my dad allowed on the TV was sports. I remember going to a Tigers game when I was 10 or 11. After a few innings, I asked why were sitting all the way out in right field. I finally realized I think they both had a crush on Al Kaline. Maybe I did too. I always wore No. 6.
The Blade: Who were your earliest influences and why did you want to get into broadcasting?
Miller: As a kid, it was Ernie Harwell, Bruce Martyn, Budd Lynch, and Dan Kelly. I also played golf with Bob Cole of Hockey Night in Canada. That was a treat. Also in that group was Red Wings play-by-play man Dave Strader, who we lost way too soon. To this day, I still listen to the radio at night.
The Blade: What are the biggest challenges of calling a hockey game on the radio?
Miller: My 13 years in the IHL were a tremendous training ground. It was plug in the equipment and say what you see. I missed one game in 13 years to get married. I never missed a team bus or flight. I was ready when I got to New Jersey.
The Blade: What was it like being around the game at its highest level in the NHL?
Miller: The NHL was tremendous. The buildings, the people, and the hotels. I went from Super 8’s to Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons. I was fortunate that some of the old buildings were still around. Maple Leaf Gardens, Montreal Forum, the Forum in L.A., and of course, Chicago Stadium were just unbelievable. Great atmosphere. Nothing like it. I did the last game from Boston Garden.
The Blade: What made the Goaldiggers era so special?
Miller: Four championships in less than 10 years was a tremendous run. The Sports Arena in the ’70s was the place to be. A total of 5,280 was a sellout and when that place was rocking it was tremendous. It was a great press box, you were right on top of the play. Lots of great players for sure, and more than a few characters. Of course, the two great teams in the 80’s were almost unbeatable at times.
The Blade: What are your most significant memories of being the GM of the Toledo Storm?
Miller: They were fun days but challenging. In the early 1990s, the budget for an ECHL team was 1 million and, by the time I was there, it was two million and we were in the same building. I had a small staff of seven and they gave it everything they had. On the ice, we won a lot of games and I was able to hire two coaches who turned out to be ECHL coaches of the year, Claude Noel and Nick Vitucci. I'm happy to see some of my hires have had a good run with the Walleye, especially Matt Melzak, Dave Aleo, and Brad Fredrick.
The Blade: What were the key things that aided you in your fight against cancer?
Miller: I've battled cancer twice. I warned my wife that I have a bout with cancer every 23 years and next time I’ll be 94. I might be a little crabby.
The Blade: What are the most memorable moments of your broadcasting career?
Miller: I worked for two of America's most historic stations, WABC in New York and CKLW in Windsor. It's funny after almost 40 years in the business, I probably spent less than 20 days at an actual radio station. I did mostly live events. The two Turner Cups with the Goaldiggers, the two Stanley Cups with the Devils, and closing out with the Memorial Cups in Windsor were all special. Also, my first NHL game vs. Tampa Bay in October of 1993 and our seven-game series against the Rangers the same year. Madison Square Garden was electric.
The Blade: What made the Sports Arena such a special place?
Miller: The small ice and the visuals. The smell — good or bad. I loved the place. Jim McCabe told me that it was not true you did have to skate in that small building because of the close quarters and no room, you had to be excellent in congested areas.
The Blade: What did you enjoy most about hosting “Face-Off the Hockey Show?”
Miller: I believe that show ran for about 20 years. The guests made the show and I had them from every level, from NHL to high school. It was a lot more popular than I ever imagined. People still talk to me about it.
The Blade: What do you miss most about being a broadcaster and what do you miss the least?
Miller: It was a long and great run. I miss the prep work and the people and my color partners which included Doug Mahood, Jim Welch, Gary Wyse, and Dan Saevig. I worked with Randy Velischek with the Devils who spoke five languages. I always kidded him by asking him if English was one of them. My favorite was Tony Piroski. We had a lot of laughs. The travel in the OHL was tough but I still enjoyed it. If you did a game in Ottawa, the ride back to Windsor was about eight hours and then I would drive home. I saw the sun coming up many, many mornings.
The Blade: Why is the hockey community in general such a tight-knit and unique segment in sports?
Miller: Hockey people are the best. It's crazy but so true, everybody has a connection to somebody you know. I was fortunate to have worked with some good folks: Bill Inglis, Jerry Francis, and John Marks. Bob Boughner owned the Spitfires along with Warren Rychel and was head coach for two Memorial Cups. His assistant was DJ Smith and Bob Jones. All great guys.
The Blade: What has changed the most about the game over the years and which do you like and dislike?
Miller: The size and speed are incredible now. I’m old enough to remember when the players averaged 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds. I still would like to see the players police the game like it was 25 years ago. I’m not talking bench clearing brawls but taking care of things when need be.
First Published September 3, 2023, 4:00 a.m.
