Nation Sites
The Nation Network
CanucksArmy has no direct affiliation to the Vancouver Canucks, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Some thoughts on Rogers closing down Sportsnet 650: Canucks Conversation
Photo credit: Sportsnet 650
Jul 9, 2026, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 9, 2026, 09:50 EDT
On Wednesday’s episode of Canucks Conversation, David Quadrelli and Harman Dayal shared their thoughts after Rogers shut down Sportsnet 650, discussing the impact the station had on Vancouver’s sports community and the people who worked there.
Quads said the closure is a loss for everyone involved in the local sports scene.
“It’s bad for all of us,” Quads said. “For people who consume content, for us who create content, we want more independent voices covering the team, not fewer, so it doesn’t really benefit anybody.”
Harm echoed that sentiment, saying the news immediately brought him back to when TSN 1040 was taken off the air.
“It’s devastating,” Harm said. “Going back to when 1040 got shut down, I vividly remember that gut feeling, how sad you are for everyone involved. The feeling and reaction we had yesterday isn’t something anyone is going to forget anytime soon.
“What people outside of Vancouver maybe don’t understand is 650 wasn’t just a radio station but part of a community. When you imagine sports fandom and what really makes it special, it’s shared experience. The idea that you’re not just following your team in terms of watching the game, turning the TV off and moving on, but you’re living through the highs and lows with a group of people.
“Shared experiences are so powerful in creating community, friendship, and relationships. Why do so many of our best friends come from high school and universities? It’s because of the shared experiences of going through those highs and lows together and it’s the same for sports fans. The same highs you experience in the division-winning year and everybody is excited or the lows where it feels like your franchise is headed toward complete dysfunction, it helps so much to have other fans in the same boat as you.
“650 was a pillar and key part of that online experience of following this team. Whether or not you listened to the radio station on a daily basis, 650 was still part of the conversation surrounding the team because you’d hop on Twitter and see them sharing clips and news. It was just a part of the voice of the Canucks.”
Quads also reflected on the personal connections he made during his time at the station.
“I think about the people involved,” Quads said. “I crossed paths with many of them when we had the weekend show there with Faber. Cam Barra was a guy who gave us a shot to host that weekend show on 650 where I first got to do live radio, and it was great. I got to do that because of the opportunities created there.”
Harm believes Sportsnet 650 had found its footing over the last few years and become an important part of the Vancouver sports landscape.
“650 really started to get the market the last few years as well,” Harm said. “It took some time, but lately, they’d been crushing it in terms of the content and understanding this market. To resonate with Canucks fans, you have to understand the history, the pain points, what being in this city is actually like, so it’s very difficult to come in as an outsider.
“Over the last few years, the product they were putting out, they really started resonating with Canucks fans. So many talented hosts and producers, but also guests who we won’t be able to hear from as often now. For example, the level of insight Kevin Woodley provides on goaltending is unmatched in this industry, and it sucks to not have him on these radio programs anymore. Jannik Hansen had grown into a strong voice in this market. So many people that Canucks fans are going to miss out on.
“I also think about the future of people who want to get into broadcasting and journalism. Coming up in the industry, I looked up to 650 and 1040 with awe. Without that opportunity, who knows who might not have got the exposure they have now.”
While the station may no longer be on the air, both Quads and Harm agreed its impact on Vancouver’s sports media landscape, and the community it helped build, won’t soon be forgotten.
Watch the full replay of the episode below!
PRESENTED BY THE CANUCKSARMY NEWSLETTER
Never miss what matters in the game. From lineup changes to breaking trades and must-read analysis, CanucksArmy delivers the insight serious hockey fans rely on—straight to your inbox. Sign up for the CanucksArmy newsletter here!
Breaking News
- Some thoughts on Rogers closing down Sportsnet 650: Canucks Conversation
- WDYTT: When do you expect the Canucks to return to the playoffs?
- Canucks: What would an Elias Pettersson to Pittsburgh trade look like?
- Connor Bedard out 4 months after shoulder injury suffered while training in Burnaby
- NHL Notebook: Mammoth match Devils offer sheet to Barrett Hayton