Sportscaster Daren Millard is leaving Sportsnet after 20 years with the network, it was announced on Wednesday.

Millard joined Sportsnet in 1998 and has held a variety of roles during his tenure. Most recently, Millard has served as host for NHL on Sportsnet broadcasts, including Hockey Central @ Noon, Wednesday Night Hockey and feature shows around the NHL Draft and NHL Trade Deadline Day.

Millard also worked extensively during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games and 2012 London Olympic Games on Sportsnet, and has covered the CHL, curling, Rogers Cup tennis and the PGA Tour. Millard was also on site for numerous Stanley Cup Finals and Wayne Gretzky’s final NHL game.

Following the announcement, Daren released this statement:

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.

Scott Moore, President of Sportsnet and NHL Properties, thanked Daren for his work over the last 20 years.

A native of Brandon, Man., Millard began his broadcasting career in 1990. Millard was named to the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters media roll of honour, recognizing excellent service to sports journalism, in 2014.