Bob Miller Takes Leave of Absence from Kings Telecast

In his 43rd season as play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Kings, the team announced that broadcaster Bob Miller will undergo heart bypass surgery and has taken a leave of absence. There has been no determinable time for when the surgery will happen or how long it will be until Miller returns.

The Kings President of Business Operations released a statement wishing the 77-year-old a safe and speedy recovery.

“Like all Kings fans we wish Bob a safe and speedy recovery,” Robitaille said. “We look forward to hearing his familiar voice on our broadcasts again real soon but it is important that Bob take his time to recover as his health is the top priority.”

Miller was a recipient of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in 2000 and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto in addition to the California Sports Hall of Fame and Wisconsin’s Hockey Hall of Fame. Miller has been in TV shows and movies and has a star on Hollywood Boulevard.

Nick Nickson to Temporarily Replace Miller

Nickson has served as the Kings’ radio play-by-play announcer for 35 years. Alongside former Kings player Daryl Evans, Nickson announces pre-season, regular season, and post season coverage on KABC radio and Kings Radio Network.

Nickson has a plaque in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto for his contributions to the sport in addition to receiving the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in 2015 and has covered over 3,500 games in his 40-year broadcasting career. He is a member of the NHL Hockey Broadcaster’s Association and has international broadcast experience covering the World Championships in Switzerland in 2009.

The radio “Voice-of-the-Kings” graduated from Ithaca College in 1975 and had called the college’s football, basketball, baseball and hockey games before beginning his career in the AHL with the Rochester Americans shortly after graduating. He spent six years (1975-1981) covering the AHL with the Americans and New Haven Nighthawks before working with the Kings.

LA Kings’ Insider Jon Rosen replaced Nickson on KABC radio to call the game against the Colorado Avalance on Wednesday night.

Having lost three of their last four heading into the All-Star break, the Kings will next play the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday Feb. 2. The Kings currently sit in first place in the Pacific Division with a 7-point lead over the San Jose Sharks.