It was literally impossible to be in a bad mood around this man. 💔
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Tributes from around the hockey world pour in for Canucks legend John Garrett
Photo credit: NHL
Apr 28, 2026, 15:10 EDTUpdated: Apr 28, 2026, 15:09 EDT
It’s easy to see the lasting impact John Garrett made on so many in the hockey world. In the wake of the sad news Tuesday morning that the former Vancouver Canucks netminder turned beloved broadcaster had passed away suddenly at the age of 74, many prominent names in the hockey community took to social media to pay tribute to Garrett. From broadcast partners, to former players to the Mayor of Vancouver to the Commissioner of the National Hockey League, everyone, it seemed, had a story to share about the warmth, humilty and good nature ‘Cheech’ brought to the rink.
Sportsnet’s Dan Murphy was working the Vegas-Utah first round series with Garrett. Their final broadcast together was on Sunday night in the first every Stanley Cup Playoff game (and victory) in Salt Lake City.
Garrett’s longtime partner on Canucks regional broadcasts, John Shorthouse, joined Sportsnet 650’s Halford and Brough on Tuesday morning to pay tribute to and remember his late friend and colleague:
“He wasn’t just our teammate, he was our captain,” Shorthouse said. “He’s probably the most thorough good person I’ll ever meet… Cheech and I had kind of an unwritten pact that we would always take the job seriously, and that we weren’t there to belittle anything that was happening in front of us, but we also knew that in trying years… people still want to tune in. And you don’t want to drag them down for those three hours. We just had this unwritten pact that we were there to inform, entertain, and have fun, without taking it too far because the bottom line matters to people, wins and losses matter to people, but there would become a point where you’re just treating it as a two and a half hour skate. Tuesday is not connected to Thursday, and Thursday isn’t connected to Saturday, there’s no big picture, let’s just have fun for two and a half hours and talk to our friends on the other side of the lens.
“I just think he had an uncanny ability to connect with people,” Shorthouse added.
Garrett kept a list of every single play-by-play commentator he shared a booth with, and that list included John Abbott, who posted the following:
…very thankful to have shared time with Cheech this season. He was sharp in the booth and a genuine friend. This list is a small sample reflecting both his broadcast excellence and his endearing personality; that was present every day. So many loved him. I am on THAT list. ❤️
Prior to tonight’s Game 5 of the Edmonton-Anaheim series, Ducks coach Joel Quenneville, whose playing career overlapped with Garrett, took a moment to fondly remember the former goaltender.
Joel Quenneville opened his media availability by sharing his condolences for the loss of John Garrett, calling him one of his favorite people in the sport.
In the days following his tenure as Canucks colour analyst on Sportsnet, Garrett was saluted with a day in his honour by the City of Vancouver. On Tuesday, Mayor Ken Sim took a moment to reflect on Garrett’s passing.
Three years ago, I had the honour of welcoming John to City Hall to proclaim May 10th as 'John Garrett Day' in the City of Vancouver in celebration of his long and successful career. I was incredibly saddened to learn of his passing earlier today. Vancouver has lost one of its Show more
Canucks Sports & Entertainment is heartbroken by the sudden passing of John Garrett, a cherished member of our family whose loss is deeply felt across our entire organization and community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to John’s family, friends, and all who knew and loved
Universally revered in the broadcasting industry, Garrett was remembered by some of the biggest names in game.
Not a day I wouldn’t smile just hearing the name Cheech. Until today. Heartbroken to learn of his passing. So many laughs, great memories and life lessons. John Garrett was one of a kind. We’ll all miss him.
I’m not big on memorabilia and don’t collect things from teams or players. My once exception, a signed picture John Garrett gave me years ago. He cherished family, friends and work. It was his thoughtfulness and sense of humour that made him the best. Rest, Cheech.
And it isn’t every day that a journeyman goalie is officially remembered by the National Hockey League and Commissioner Gary Bettman. Of course, the fact the league released an official statement with a comment from Bettman demonstrates the place Garrett held in the hearts of the hockey world. He was much more than the seven years he spent in the NHL. He was a hockey lifer who devoted 50-plus years to the game at the highest levels from his junior days in Peterborough to his years in the World Hockey Association to his time as an NHL’er. And then, of course, it was followed by a remarkable 40-year run as a colour analyst on Hockey Night In Canada and on Sportsnet’s regional broadcasts.
The NHL mourns the passing of John Garrett, whose astute analysis took fans – particularly in Western Canada – inside our game for the last four decades. Read full statement from Commissioner Gary Bettman: media.nhl.com/public/news/19…
John Garrett brought joy to every broadcast. He had an ease about him that made every game he worked seem effortless. His smile. His laugh. His love of the game will be sorely missed. He is gone too soon, but his was a life well lived.
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