The Vancouver Canucks have offered condolences after the passing of John Garrett, a man who made contributions to the NHL organization in multiple ways. He was 74 years old.
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Sportsnet announced the news on Tuesday but did not provide a cause of death. The network said that Garrett, also known as Cheech, "brought insight, authenticity, and heart to every broadcast."
"Cheech was a special person and an important part of Canucks history," said Jim Rutherford, President, Hockey Operations. "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."
An Ontario native, Garrett entered the NHL as a third-round pick in the 1971 Amateur Draft. Early in his career, he played for the Minnesota Fighting Saints, Toronto Toros, Birmingham Bulls, and New England Whalers throughout the 1970s while lining up as a goalie.
Garrett joined the Vancouver Canucks during the 1982-1983 season, and he remained with the team through the end of his career (1985).
The Ontario native moved into the booth after his playing career ended. First worked on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada before joining Sportsnet.
He spent more than two decades calling games for the Canucks on regional broadcasts. He also made his presence known on national NHL coverage. Garrett ultimately left his full-time role after the 2022-2023 season, but he still made occasional appearances.
"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," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.
"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."
