On March 23rd, 2023, John Garrett, from my perspective, the best color commentator in hockey and former NHL goaltender, announced his retirement from everyday broadcasting. For many fans of hockey in the Pacific region, this news comes as a shock and a loss. John Garrett was a fixture for the Canucks broadcasts and will be missed by all fans.
Who is John Garrett
John Garrett is a former NHL goaltender who played for several teams during his career, including the Quebec Nordiques, Vancouver Canucks, and New York Rangers. After retiring from professional hockey, Garrett turned to broadcasting and became a highly respected commentator for both radio and television. He worked for several different networks throughout his career, including TSN, CBC, and Sportsnet. Garrett was known for his insightful analysis of the game and his ability to break down complex plays in a way that was easy for viewers to understand. He was also known for his sense of humor, his ability to inject levity into broadcasts when appropriate, and his love of Heinz 57.
Garrett began his broadcasting career in the early 1990s, working as a commentator for TSN. He quickly established himself as a rising star in the industry and was soon hired by the CBC to work on their flagship hockey program, Hockey Night in Canada. Garrett worked for the CBC for over a decade, providing analysis and commentary for some of the biggest games in Canadian hockey history.
Garrett made the move to Sportsnet for the 2002-03 season, where he worked as the color commentator working with Jim Hughson and, in 2008, John Shorthouse as he took over after Hughson moved to be the lead play-by-play in Toronto. He quickly became a fan favorite in this role, thanks to his deep knowledge of the game and his humor. Garrett worked for Sportsnet for over two decades, providing commentary for countless games and earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues and viewers alike.
Garrett’s legacy is one of professionalism, expertise, and humor. He was a consummate broadcaster, able to provide expert analysis without ever losing sight of the fact that hockey is, first and foremost, a game meant to be enjoyed.
Ron McLean, on Hockey Night in Canada, mentioned that John will still be doing HNIC broadcasts next year, so he will still be blessing our TVs, just on a less regular basis.
As fans and colleagues alike say goodbye to John Garrett, they will do so with a sense of gratitude for all that he has given to the world of hockey broadcasting.
Sound off in the comments on who you’d like to see as options to fill this giant hole for the 2023-24 season!
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I’m thinking Cheech could be up in the Canucks ring of honor. He has been a steady & solid Canuck for a long time and it felt like home whenever I’d hear Shorty & Cheech doing the broadcast
I watch the games mainly just to listen to John and John, the best team in the league.