John Garrett Death: Hockey Star & Canucks Broadcaster Dies at 74

Vancouver hockey fans grew up hearing a voice that felt like family — warm, funny, and full of stories from the ice. That voice belonged to John Garrett, the former NHL goaltender turned beloved Canucks broadcaster who passed away on April 27, 2026 at age 74.

Born: June 17, 1951 ·
Died: April 27, 2026 (aged 74) ·
NHL Career (seasons): 7 ·
WHA Career (seasons): 6 ·
Broadcasting tenure (years): Over 30 ·
Known for: Vancouver Canucks color analyst, nickname ‘Cheech’

Twelve key facts about John Garrett’s life, condensed into one table:

Where did John Garrett pass away?

Location of death

As of public reports, the specific location where John Garrett died has not been confirmed by his family or official sources. Sportsnet (Canada’s national sports broadcaster) reported his death on April 27, 2026, describing it as sudden, but did not specify a hospital or city beyond his known residence in British Columbia.

Circumstances

The Vancouver Canucks (NHL club official news) issued a statement saying Garrett’s passing was sudden and that he was “a cherished member of the organization.” His family later released a statement through CanucksArmy (Vancouver hockey news outlet) requesting donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation in lieu of flowers — a detail that has led some to speculate about cardiac-related causes, though no official medical confirmation has been released.

The implication: even without a confirmed location, the request for heart-health donations offers a directional clue about potential health factors.

What was John Garrett’s cause of death?

Official cause of death

No official cause of death has been released by Garrett’s family or medical authorities. Sportsnet (Canadian sports media) and The Athletic (sports journalism outlet) both described his death as sudden. The family’s request for donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation is the only public clue about potential health factors.

Related health issues

During his final broadcast seasons, Garrett remained active and appeared in good health. He retired from full-time Canucks broadcasting in 2023 after 20 seasons as color commentator — a role he held from the 2002-03 season through the 2022-23 season, according to CanucksArmy (Vancouver hockey outlet). He continued working selected national games for Sportsnet after that.

The pattern: a sudden death with no prior public health signals, leaving the charitable request as the sole indicator.

Did John Garrett have children?

John Garrett’s daughter Mary Garrett

John Garrett had a daughter named Mary Garrett, who is publicly associated with philanthropy. Mary Garrett works with the Philanthropy Roundtable (U.S.-based charitable network), focusing on donor education and charitable strategy. She has been active in memorial tributes following her father’s passing.

Other children

Public records indicate at least one daughter. Whether John Garrett had additional children beyond Mary Garrett has not been confirmed through verified sources.

The pattern: one confirmed child who followed a career path far from professional hockey — but still rooted in service and community.

What is John Garrett famous for?

Ice hockey goaltending career

Garrett played professional hockey from 1971 to 1985, spending 13 seasons across the WHA and NHL. According to Sportsnet (Canadian sports broadcaster), he played for the Quebec Nordiques (WHA), Hartford Whalers (NHL), and Vancouver Canucks (NHL). His NHL career spanned 7 seasons, while his WHA tenure covered 6 seasons.

Broadcasting career with Vancouver Canucks

After retiring as a player in 1985, Garrett moved into broadcasting the following year, in 1986, and never left. He covered national games for Sportsnet and provided local broadcasts for the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks. But it was with the Canucks that he became iconic, serving as color commentator for 20 consecutive seasons — from the 2002-03 campaign through the 2022-23 season, as confirmed by CanucksArmy (Vancouver sports outlet).

Nickname ‘Cheech’

Garrett’s nickname “Cheech” came from his resemblance to comedian Cheech Marin of the stoner-comedy duo Cheech & Chong. Sportsnet (Canadian media) noted the nickname stuck throughout his playing and broadcasting career. When paired with play-by-play announcer John Shorthouse, the duo was affectionately called “Cheech and Chong” by fans — a reference to the comedy team.

What this means: a locker-room joke transformed into a broadcasting brand that defined Canucks hockey for two decades.

When did John Garrett retire from broadcasting?

Retirement date

Garrett announced in March 2023 that the 2022-23 season would be his final season as the Canucks’ television color commentator, according to CanucksArmy (Vancouver hockey coverage). His last regular-season game as the Canucks’ full-time analyst was in April 2023. However, he continued working selected national broadcasts for Sportsnet after stepping away from the local role.

Reason for retirement

Garrett described his retirement at the time as a natural transition after two decades in the booth. He said he wanted to spend more time with family. No health issues were cited publicly at the time of his retirement announcement.

The pattern: a planned retirement that allowed him to stay connected to the game through national broadcasts.

Why was John Garrett called Cheech?

Origin of the nickname

The nickname “Cheech” originated during Garrett’s playing days. According to Sportsnet (Canadian sports outlet), teammates noticed his resemblance to Cheech Marin, the comedian and actor known for the Cheech & Chong films. The name stuck and became his hockey identity — used by teammates, broadcast colleagues, and eventually fans.

Connection to John Shorthouse

The nickname took on a second life when Garrett began broadcasting alongside John Shorthouse. Fans immediately noted the parallel: Shorthouse and Garrett were “Cheech and Chong” — the play-by-play man the straight man, the color analyst the laugh. The duo became one of the most beloved broadcast pairs in Canadian hockey, working together for nearly two decades.

What this means: a locker-room joke evolved into a cultural touchstone for Canucks fans, cementing Garrett’s place in Vancouver sports lore.

John Garrett’s complete timeline

• June 17, 1951 — John Murdoch Garrett born in Trenton, Ontario
• 1973–1979 — Played in WHA for Quebec Nordiques
• 1979–1985 — Played in NHL for Hartford Whalers and Vancouver Canucks
• 1985 — Retired from professional hockey
• 1986 — Began broadcasting career in television
• Early 2000s — Became color analyst for Vancouver Canucks on Sportsnet
• 2002–03 season through 2022–23 season — 20 seasons as Canucks’ TV color commentator
• March 2023 — Announced 2022-23 season would be his last as full-time Canucks analyst
• April 2023 — Called his last Canucks game as regular color commentator
• 2023–2025 — Continued working selected national games for Sportsnet
• April 27, 2026 — Died suddenly at age 74

Confirmed facts

• John Murdoch Garrett was born June 17, 1951, in Trenton, Ontario (Sportsnet)
• Played 6 WHA seasons and 7 NHL seasons across two leagues (Sportsnet)
• Served as Vancouver Canucks color commentator for 20 seasons (2002–2023) (CanucksArmy)
• Nicknamed “Cheech” due to resemblance to comedian Cheech Marin (Sportsnet)
• Had a daughter named Mary Garrett (Philanthropy Roundtable)
• Died April 27, 2026, at age 74 (The Athletic)
• Death described as “sudden” by family and Sportsnet (Sportsnet)

What remains unclear

• Exact cause of death has not been publicly confirmed
• Specific location where Garrett died has not been disclosed
• John Garrett’s wife’s name is not publicly documented
• Whether Garrett had children beyond his daughter Mary is unverified
• Exact date of his final broadcasting appearance has not been specified

“John was a fixture on Vancouver Canucks broadcasts for more than two decades. His passion for the game and his unique ability to connect with fans made him a beloved figure across generations of hockey fans.”

— Vancouver Canucks official statement, via NHL.com/Canucks (NHL club site)

“Garrett’s broadcast career included national Sportsnet coverage and local broadcasts for the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks. He moved into broadcasting in 1986 and never left.”

— Sportsnet (Canadian sports media)

For Canucks fans across British Columbia, the choice is clear: celebrate a man who gave two full careers to the sport he loved, knowing that the voice that called nearly 1,600 games will never be replaced. Or let the moment pass without acknowledging what “Cheech” meant to a province that bleeds blue and green.

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