There are few former players or broadcasters that are more lovable characters than John Garrett.
The former NHL player and longtime colour commentator is famous for commenting on Safeway Score and Win products during Canucks broadcasts on Sportsnet. Personally, I love it. I could listen to him go on about what he puts Cheez Whiz on all day.
Some of the other Garrett stories are the stuff of legend.
He was going to win the NHL All-Star MVP (and a car) in 1983 until Wayne Gretzky stole it from him (figuratively, of course) in the third period.
He once tried to fight Mario Lemieux.
On a terrible Canucks team in 1984-85, he finished the season with a 6.49 goals against average. That earned him the nickname “Lotto.”
There are some great Garrett stories as a broadcaster too.
Former play-by-play partner Chris Cuthbert has told the tale that Garrett didn’t use utensils for a single meal during a three-week run in the Stanley Cup playoffs together.
That leads me to the main reason for this article: Garrett’s eating habits on the road.
If you’re a Canucks fan on Twitter, you follow Sportsnet’s Dan Murphy and you know what I’m about to show you next.
Burgers. So many burgers.
Murph has an ongoing series of John Garrett pictures that he graces the internet with. Nearly all of them involve the former Canucks goalie with his face in a hamburger.
“I can let you in on one little secret, I’m never there,” Murphy told Daily Hive. “Those pictures are always taken by John Shorthouse and sent to me because he doesn’t have Twitter.”
A shocking revelation!
“I do not take part in the daily burger lunch,” he continued. “It’s always Shorthouse and Garrett. They’re the burger fiends.”
As a burger enthusiast myself, I get it. In-N-Out Burger in LA? Sign me up.
I think I could go toe to toe with Garrett and Shorthouse. For a few days, anyway. Because these guys are machines.
“If I ate like Shortie (John Shorthouse) for the past 20 years on the road, I would be 500 pounds. It’s amazing the genes those two have.”
On the road, Murph estimates that 75% of Garrett and Shorthouse lunches involve some kind of burger. He says that’s a conservative estimate.
And the other 25%?
“If Garrett wants a healthy lunch – I’m sometimes there with him – a healthy lunch for John is if we go to Subway. He gets the same thing every time. On Italian bread, he gets ham and cheese, double cheese, extra mayo. No veggies.”
While Shorthouse goes healthier at dinner, often with a salad, Garrett powers on.
“Even at dinner, most of the time we bow to Cheech’s pressure and we’ll go eat somewhere that’s a sports bar or something so he can not have to use utensils and I can usually find something as well.”
Here they are, the best John Garrett eating a burger on the road photos for the 2016-17 season:
1. A&W
Quick end of road trip pre-game snack. #canucks vs #jets tonight. pic.twitter.com/vXJYlHOqUI
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) March 26, 2017
2. Smashburger
Again, fries (+ ketchup) sacrificed for lent…so that's a burger with a side of burger. All in the name of religion. 🍔🍔🙏 pic.twitter.com/y4RLi9wwMo
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) March 4, 2017
3. Hardee’s
Frisco Thickburger on Texas toast. Pretty sure he mean it. pic.twitter.com/wgddSw8G6w
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) February 16, 2017
4. Five Guys
Family Day 2017. A celebration. 🎉 pic.twitter.com/LjsUI5P9Df
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) February 13, 2017
5. Johnny Rockets
Yes that is genuine excitement. pic.twitter.com/3cPCGUtrXS
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) January 25, 2017
6. Shake Shack
National game tonight. Pregame meal tight. Burger w/no veggies and chocolate shake. pic.twitter.com/O5gG45hHHH
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) January 22, 2017
7. Wendy’s
Snowing in Calgary but that didn't stop Cheech from visiting the little girl with the red curl.
🍔🍟 pic.twitter.com/nsX16vuovK— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) December 23, 2016
8. Five Guys (again)
Another day, another burger. What could go wrong? Well, just in case. 🍔 🚒 pic.twitter.com/mRoQfmv47S
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) December 12, 2016
9. Burger King
Okay #canucks fans, your team can't score. But it's important to remember what really matters in life. Perspective. #king pic.twitter.com/LXTeq9aIz0
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) November 3, 2016
10. In-N-Out Burger
Game day in SoCal. Expect anything different for lunch? National. Treasure. pic.twitter.com/FG5tjNSnYF
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) October 23, 2016
BONUS
These are hard times for Garrett, as he’s given up fries and ketchup for 40 days during lent.
When you give up fries and ketchup for religion it's means onion rings and ranch dip. The sacrifice is real. #lent pic.twitter.com/3T00VXidTH
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) March 4, 2017
What does Garrett eat at games, you ask?
Well, there’s nachos…
When the salad bar doesn't cut it….nachos and pump cheese always has your back. pic.twitter.com/oHHI0Gtsfq
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) January 11, 2017
More nachos…
How do you celebrate your last trip to the Joe? Nachos with fake cheese sauce. pic.twitter.com/YH6tJVkyg0
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) November 10, 2016
Perogies…
Christmas is done so it's time to watch the waistline now. That said, perogies after one. With sour cream and 🐷 pic.twitter.com/XOedYZ1o6t
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) December 29, 2016
Hot dogs…
Never. A. Doubt. 🌭 pic.twitter.com/y9hM5HRrA5
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) November 4, 2016
John Garrett, I salute you, for you are truly the real Burger King.