During that time, he established himself as a standout, winning first- and second-team all-star awards and making the NCAA West first all-American team two years in a row.
He played for neither club, wending his way instead through the minor leagues with the Tidewater Sharks, Erie Blades, and Hampton Gulls until he surfaced with the Indianapolis Racers of the WHA.
With the Racers, Mio's goaltending was rough, but the most meaningful event of his career occurred when he met his lifelong friend, Wayne Gretzky.
Shortly after their meeting, Mio was part of the trade that sent Gretzky (along with Peter Driscoll) to the Edmonton Oilers on November 2, 1978.
Mio was a player agent with International Management Group, representing Sergei Fedorov, Joe Thornton and Brent Johnson.