SportsHockeyCanucks

Longtime Canucks broadcaster John Garrett has passed away suddenly

Rob Williams
Rob Williams
|
Apr 28 2026, 2:30 pm
Longtime Canucks broadcaster John Garrett has passed away suddenly
Sportsnet

Longtime Vancouver Canucks broadcaster and former NHL goaltender John Garrett has passed away at age 74.

Sportsnet announced the sad news on Tuesday morning.

“It is with profound sadness we share the news of the sudden passing of John Garrett, a beloved colleague, friend, and one of the most familiar voices in Canadian hockey. ‘Cheech’ was a legend. His warmth, humour, and genuine love for the game endeared him to fans and colleagues alike. He brought insight, authenticity, and heart to every broadcast.

“He will be remembered not only for his remarkable career, but for the kindness and joy he shared with everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. John will be missed immensely. Our deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones.”

A 5-foot-8 goalie, Garrett played 12 years of pro hockey in the 1970s and 1980s. He made his pro hockey debut in the WHA with the Minnesota Fighting Saints in 1973, and also suited up for the Toronto Toros, Birmingham Bulls, and New England Whalers before joining the NHL in 1979. The Trenton, Ont., native’s NHL career included stints with the Hartford Whalers, Quebec Nordiques, and Canucks.

Garrett transitioned into a long and successful broadcast career shortly after his playing days were done, calling NHL games for 40 years. He began working for Hockey Night in Canada in 1986 and joined Sportsnet in 1998.

It was as a Canucks analyst that he became truly beloved by fans in British Columbia, as Garrett called games alongside John Shorthouse and Dan Murphy from 2002 to 2023. He was loved for his passion for the Canucks, as well as his on-air humour.

Garrett’s passing was sudden, as he had been working as a colour analyst for Sportsnet for the playoff series between the Vegas Golden Knights and Utah Mammoth that is still ongoing.

“My heart breaks for his family. Such awful news. He was the best,” Canucks radio play-by-play broadcaster Brendan Batchelor said on social media.

“This is just so incredibly sad. Cheech was so witty, loved a good story and was beloved by Canucks fans… shocking news to hear last night,” added Ray Ferraro. “Condolences to his wife and family.”

“I knew John Garrett for more than 40 years… worked alongside him at Hockey Night in Canada and Sportsnet for half that time,” said John Shannon.

“John was everything you could ask for in a friend, a co-worker and a teammate. He did his job with the right level of professionalism… with gravitas and humour.

“He loved the Canucks, the Blue Jays and being the Grandfather.

“Most of all, he loved his wife Sharon.

“He was the best of us.”

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has also released a statement.

“The National Hockey League family is stunned and saddened by the sudden passing of John Garrett, whose astute analysis took fans – particularly in Western Canada – inside our game for the last four decades,” Bettman said.

“Following a 13-season career as a goaltender in the WHA and the NHL, Garrett moved into the broadcast booth in 1986 and never left, contributing his encyclopedic knowledge and expert insight to national broadcasts on Sportsnet and local broadcasts for the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and, for two decades, the Vancouver Canucks.

“On a personal note, I always enjoyed catching up with John when our travels around the League intersected – as they did one last time on Friday night in Utah, when he broadcast the Mammoth’s first-ever home playoff game. We send our deepest condolences to his family, his friends around the game and his many fans.”

The Canucks have also released a statement, which includes a quote from the president of hockey operations, Jim Rutherford.

“Cheech was a special person and an important part of Canucks history,” said Rutherford. “He loved this team and took great pride in sharing the game with our fans. His personality, insight, and genuine care for the people around him made a lasting impression on our players, staff, and everyone who had the chance to work with him. This is a very difficult loss for all of us, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”

ADVERTISEMENT