NHLI via Getty Images

Greg Millen, a longtime NHL goaltender who transitioned to a post-playing career as a popular hockey broadcaster, has died. Millen was 67 years old.

The NHL Alumni Association announced Millen's death on Monday. Canadian sports broadcast network Sportsnet, for whom Millen worked, confirmed his death. A cause of death was not announced. Per the NHLAA, Millen's death was "sudden."

"It is with heavy hearts we share the sudden passing of Greg Millen today," the NHLAA announcement reads. ... "He was known and loved by all in the broadcasting world! ... Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with Greg’s family at this very difficult time."

Millen's 'indelible mark' on hockey

In its statement marking his death, Sportsnet celebrated Millen's impact on hockey both as a player and a broadcaster. 

"As both a player and a broadcaster, Greg left an indelible mark on the sport as well as everyone who had the pleasure to know him and listen to him," Sportsnet's statement reads. "With his infectious passion for the game, sharp insights and quick wit, Greg was a trusted and familiar voice in the homes of millions of Canadians for more than 30 years."

Millen played 14 NHL seasons for six different teams from 1978-1992. He started his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins then played for the Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues, Quebec Nordiques and Chicago Blackhawks before playing his final season with the Detroit Red Wings. 

In total, Millen played 604 NHL games in goal with a 2.71 goals-against average and 17 career shutouts. He led the league in shutouts with six in 1989.

After retiring, Millen began his broadcasting career covering the Ottawa Senators during the team's debut season in 1992-93. He went on to do color commentary for the CBC's "Hockey Night in Canada" and then for the NHL on Sportsnet.

Per the NHLAA, Millen covered three Olympic Games, two World Cups of Hockey, 12 Stanley Cup finals and 12 NHL All-Star games as a broadcaster.

Condolences for Millen

Members of the hockey and broadcast community mourned Millen upon the news of his death.

"Worked many games with Greg," Darren Dreger wrote on social media. "Learned a lot from him in my early days. Deepest sympathy to his family and friends."

"Just terrible news to see today," Ray Ferraro wrote. "Way too young, condolences to Millsy's family."

"Awful day for everyone who worked with Greg," Elliotte Friedman wrote. "Loved hockey and his role in it. The only thing he loved more was his growing family: wife, children and, now, grandchildren. Very, very sorry for their loss."

Teams that Millen either played or called games for also released statements on social media. 

Millen is survived by his wife and four children, according to the NHLAA.

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / Reuters

Alex Ovechkin scored career goal No. 895 on Sunday, breaking one of sports' all-time great records and passing hockey legend Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's all-time goal scorer.

Ovechkin did so with a slapshot past New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin in a road game. The location on the road in New York didn't matter. The crowd at UBS Arena was there on Sunday to witness history, and it erupted into raucous cheers for the goal that cut New York's lead over Ovechkin's Washington Capitals to 2-1. New York ended up winning the game 4-1.

Ovechkin's teammates mobbed him on the ice as Gretzky, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Ovechkin's family stood and applauded. A chant of "Ovi, Ovi, Ovi, Ovi" rung out from the UBS Arena stands as Ovechkin continued to celebrate the moment on the ice.

The game was then paused for a ceremony on the ice commemorating the momentous achievement and a speech from Gretzky passing the torch to Ovechkin as hockey's newly crowned greatest goal scorer. After a tribute on the UBS Arena video screen and an introduction from Bettman, Gretzky took the mic.

"I can tell you first-hand, I know how hard it is to get to 894; 895 is pretty special," Gretzky told Ovechkin. "My congratulations to not only Alex, his mom and dad, his family, his wife and kids. 

"When I broke the record, my two kids were both the age of his boys, so it's kind of reminiscent for me. And I'm so happy that two of my boys are here tonight. 

"But there's nothing better than the National Hockey League. They say records are made to be broken, but I'm not sure who's going to get more goals than that."

After congratulating the NHL, Bettman and the league's officials — the latter of which drew boos from the New York crowd — Gretzky again turned to Ovechkin.

"Alex, I said I'd be the first guy to shake your hand when you broke the record," Gretzky said.

Ovechkin and Gretzky then exchanged a handshake and a hug. 

Gretzky then joked with Capitals owner Ted Leonsis about the time he broke Gordie Howe's record in 1994 as a member of the Los Angeles Kings. 

"Mr. Leonsis, congratulations," Gretzky continued. "And when I set the record, they bought me a Rolls Royce. You've got your work cut out."

Then it was Ovechkin's turn to speak. 

"What a day, huh? Like I always said all the time, it's a team sport. And without my boys, the whole organization, the fans, the trainers, coaches. I would never stand here, and I would obviously never pass the Great One. 

"Fellas, thank you so much. I love you so much."

Ovechkin then joked with his Russian countryman on whom he scored the historic goal.

"Thank you, Ilya Sorokin for letting me score 895," Ovechkin said. "I love you brother."

This drew a laugh from the Islanders home crowd. 

"The last thing, all of you fans, all the world, Russia," Ovechkin continued. "We did it boys, we did it! And the most important thing. To my mom, my family, my beautiful wife, my father-in-law, my beautiful kids, thank you. I love you so much. And without your support, I would never stay here. Love you guys."