Darryl ‘Tiger’ Milburn remembered after 51 years with Trail Smoke Eaters
Darryl “Tiger” Milburn spent 51 years as the public-address announcer for the Trail Smoke Eaters and also served the club as an off-ice official and Spud Shack volunteer. Milburn died Sept. 2 at age 92.
For more than half a century, Darryl “Tiger” Milburn was a familiar presence behind the microphone at Trail Smoke Eaters games.
Milburn died Sept. 2 at age 92 after spending 51 years as the team’s public-address announcer. His celebration of life was held Sept. 17 at the Trail Memorial Centre, where he spent decades announcing games and volunteering with the hockey club.
Born April 5, 1934, in Trail, Milburn lived in the city throughout his life, according to his family. His connection to the Smoke Eaters extended beyond announcing: the club has also listed him as an off-ice official and Spud Shack volunteer.
His family said Milburn became known for his “Woo Hoo” after Trail goals. After 50 years behind the microphone, the Smoke Eaters honoured him with a plaque declaring the announcer’s booth at the Trail Memorial Centre “Tiger’s Den.”
Milburn’s family said he received the B.C. Hockey League’s Volunteer of the Year Award in 1995-96 after 25 years with the Smoke Eaters organization.
His community involvement extended beyond hockey. Milburn coached Little League baseball, helped in Bob’s kitchen at the ballpark and participated in Relay for Life. He also spent many hours working in the Smoke Eaters’ Spud Shack.
Milburn became a Canada Post letter carrier in 1954 and retired in 1989. He married Jean in 1955, and his family said he is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
His celebration of life was held in the Victoria Room of the Trail Memorial Centre, the same building where he spent much of his 51 years with the Smoke Eaters.
