Longtime NHL Kings broadcaster Bob Miller on Thursday formally announced that the "effects of quadruple bypass surgery and two strokes within the last year had made it impossible for him to continue with his old enthusiasm and energy," leading him to retire after calling the Kings’ last two regular-season games, according to Helene Elliott of the L.A. TIMES. Miller has been the team's broadcaster for "nearly 44 seasons." But he was not "able to choose when he would depart," as his doctors "essentially made the decision for him." They told Miller to "slow down, take it easy." Ralph Stangis, who has been filling in for Miller at times this season, will "continue in that role the rest of this season." The Kings and broadcast partner FS West will "search for Miller’s successor this summer." Kings President of Business Operations Luc Robitaille said that Miller can "remain involved with the team as much as he wants." Miller's last two games are on April 8 at Staples Center against the Blackhawks and April 9 at Honda Center against the Ducks (L.A. TIMES, 3/3). In L.A., Tom Hoffarth wrote Miller's heart has "always been in the right place" and "maybe that’s why it seems OK." Hoffarth: "We’ve felt as if we [we've] always been on the same page, the same sheet of ice, sharing a couple of sips from the same Stanley Cup." The "melancholy aspect to this is that Miller won’t be skating off in a way he may have envisioned." But there are "enough things away from work he still wants to do" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 3/2).
CHANGING OF THE GUARD: In L.A., Mark Whicker writes an "unparalleled sports broadcasting age is melting" in Southern California after the death of Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn in '02 and Vin Scully's retirement from the Dodgers booth in the fall. But Whicker notes the Clippers' Ralph Lawler (TV/radio) and NHL Kings' Nick Nickson (radio) are still going (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 3/3). In California, Elliott Teaford notes Miller also follows former Padres play-by-play broadcaster Dick Enberg "into retirement" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 3/3).
