Canucks: John Garrett passes away at age 74

Former Vancouver Canucks goaltender and colour commentator John Garrett has passed away at the age of 74. Sportsnet put out the following statement 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.

Garrett, better known by the nickname “Cheech”, served as the colour commentator on Canucks broadcasts for over two decades. Garrett, who played six years in the WHA and seven in the NHL during his pro hockey career, became an analyst with Sportsnet in 1998, when he joined the original Sportsnet team as an analyst.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman released the following statement on Garrett’s passing:

“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. 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.”

Garrett was a beloved figure for Canucks fans, developing unmatched chemistry with play-by-play commentator John Shorthouse and host Dan Murphy on regional broadcasts. 2022-23 was Garrett’s final season after two decades in the Canucks’ booth. He appeared on select Sportsnet broadcasts in the years since, and was on assignment alongside Harnarayan Singh and Dan Murphy for the round one matchup between the Vegas Golden Knights and Utah Mammoth at the time of his passing. Sportsnet carried the ESPN broadcast of Game 4 between Vegas and Utah on Monday night.

Garrett had a truly unique ability to mix humour with sharp analysis, and his big personality in the Canucks’ booth alongside Shorthouse made Canucks broadcasts appointment viewing, no matter how poorly the team on the ice was playing.

It goes without saying, but all of us at CanucksArmy extend our deepest condolences to Cheech’s loved ones. He will be greatly missed.