John Garrett, a former NHL goaltender who later became a beloved broadcaster for the Vancouver Canucks, has died at the age of 74. The news was confirmed by his family and the Canucks organization on Tuesday.
Early Life and NHL Career
Garrett was born on June 11, 1951, in Trenton, Ontario. He played junior hockey with the Peterborough Petes before being drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft. Over his NHL career, he played for the Canucks, Hartford Whalers, and Calgary Flames, appearing in 172 games and posting a 3.85 goals-against average.
Transition to Broadcasting
After retiring from playing in 1985, Garrett moved into broadcasting. He became a color commentator for Canucks radio broadcasts in 1995 and later transitioned to television, working alongside play-by-play announcers like Jim Hughson and John Shorthouse. His energetic style and catchphrases, such as 'Holy Smokes!' and 'He shoots, he scores!', made him a fan favorite.
Legacy and Impact
Garrett was inducted into the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009 and received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award from the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019 for his contributions to hockey broadcasting. He retired from broadcasting in 2023 after 28 seasons with the Canucks.
Garrett is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. The Canucks have announced plans to honor him during a future home game.
