Full Breakdown
John Garrett, Beloved Goaltender and Broadcaster, Dies at 74
4/28/2026, 9:17:10 PM
Sudden Passing
John Garrett died suddenly on April 27, 2026, at age 74 while on assignment for Sportsnet covering the Vegas Golden Knights–Utah Mammoth first-round playoff series.
Career Overview
Born June 17, 1951, in Trenton, Ontario, Garrett was the 38th overall pick in the 1971 NHL Draft (St. Louis Blues). He spent six WHA seasons (New England Whalers, Birmingham Bulls, Toronto Toros, Minnesota Fighting Saints) playing 323 games, then six NHL seasons (Hartford Whalers, Quebec Nordiques, Vancouver Canucks) with 207 games, a 68-91-37 record, .866 save percentage and a goals-against average reported as 4.28 or 3.47. He earned an NHL All-Star nod in 1983 and recorded the second assist on Gordie Howe’s final NHL goal. After retiring in 1985, Garrett joined CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada as a colour commentator in 1986, moved to Sportsnet in 1998, became the primary Vancouver Canucks analyst in 2002, and remained a fixture for over two decades, shifting to part-time after the 2023-24 season while still covering national games.
Official Reactions
Sportsnet announced his death with a statement praising Garrett’s warmth, humour and insight. Canucks Sports & Entertainment called him a cherished member of their family whose loss is deeply felt across the organization. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the league was stunned and saddened, noting Garrett’s astute analysis that brought fans inside the game for four decades.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Garrett’s NHL goals-against average, citing 4.28 in one account and 3.47 in another, though both list a .866 save percentage. No cause of death was disclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
> “Sportsnet put out the following statement on Tuesday morning: It is with profound sadness we share the news of the sudden passing of John Garrett, a beloved colleague, friend, and one of the most familiar voices in Canadian hockey.” — Sportsnet PR, Sportsnet
> “‘Cheech’ was a legend. His warmth, humour, and genuine love for the game endeared him to fans and colleagues alike. He brought insight, authenticity, and heart to every broadcast,” — Sportsnet PR, Sportsnet
> “NHL commissioner Gary Bettman released the following statement on Garrett’s passing: “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.” — Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner
> “a cherished member of our family whose loss is deeply felt across our entire organization and community,” — Canucks Sports & Entertainment
Why It Matters
Garrett’s blend of expert analysis and personable humour shaped how Western-Canadian fans experienced hockey, making Canucks broadcasts a staple for generations and influencing national coverage through his encyclopedic knowledge and warm on-air presence.
