Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Chapter 1: What tribute is paid to John Garrett at the beginning of the episode?
We are recording this edition of 32 Thoughts, the podcast, with very heavy hearts. We're still in shock, still trying to make sense of what has happened. John Garrett passed away suddenly at the age of 74. He was in the middle of working the Utah-Vegas Series for Sportsnet. No one has cheached too many. The stories that have come out over the last few days have been very heartwarming.
All of the common themes that paints the picture of someone you just want to be around, someone that made you feel good. Dom, I know for myself and for you, John Garrett was part of the soundtrack of our childhoods growing up on the West Coast, and you being the resident Vancouverite of the three of us, why don't you go first? What's been on your mind?
Chapter 2: How did the Oilers perform against the Ducks in their playoff game?
Thanks, Kyle. Cheech brought brilliance, warmth, and joy to the game we all love. And whether it was stopping pucks for the Canucks or painting vivid pictures from the broadcast booth alongside John and Murph, he had a rare gift. He made hockey feel alive. personal and fun, even on the toughest nights of Canucks hockey. But what truly set Cheech apart was his kindness.
He was a delightful human being, generous of spirit, quick with a laugh, humble in victory, gracious always. Collies called him one of the best of us and someone who treated everyone with the same respect and warmth, whether it was a fellow broadcaster, a player or a fan. His authenticity, his humor and his genuine love for the game and for people shone through every interaction.
Cheech touched countless lives. And for generations of Canucks fans, he was comforting.
Chapter 3: What happened in the Sabres vs Bruins playoff matchup?
He was a familiar voice that turned hockey nights into cherished memories. He endeared himself not to just Vancouver, but to hockey fans across the country with his insight, storytelling, and his unmistakable love for ketchup. Young fans grew up wanting to be like him, and lifelong supporters felt like they knew him personally.
He brought light, connection, and joy to so many people, leaving an imprint far greater than any highlight reel could ever capture. And though his voice is now silent, the kindness he shared and the memories he created will echo for years to come. Cheech was more than a legend in the booth.
Chapter 4: What insights are shared about the Stars vs Wild game?
He was a good man who made the world around him a little brighter. God bless him and his family and his friends.
Beautifully said, Dom.
Great job, Dom.
Really good. I loved what John Shorthouse said on the air Tuesday night as part of the pregame show. That was excellent, by the way.
Chapter 5: What updates are provided regarding the Leafs front office search?
Everyone that shared a little bit there that he was the captain of that group. It was a big deal, certainly for me, like those years living in Ottawa. when the Canucks would come to town and with it came the Canucks broadcast crew, because those were the ones that I would have watched and listened to more than any other growing up in the part of the country that I did.
So getting to go for the odd dinner or a Coors Light with Cheech and the rest was such a highlight. And everything you've heard about him, It was all there to witness and to just soak in any time I got a chance to be around him, which wasn't a ton, but all worth cherishing. And the sense of humor, the ability to laugh at himself.
One night we were out somewhere in downtown Ottawa, and the young man that was... spinning tunes in the bar.
Chapter 6: What is the latest on Vancouver's management search?
It was not the type of music that John was in favor of. And so he walked over to the little DJ booth with a $20 bill in his hand, pleading with the man to play something different. Of course, all in good nature fun.
Chapter 7: What occurred during the Senators' locker cleanout day?
But that was very much John. And...
Chapter 8: Why was Kade O'Rourke denied exceptional status by Hockey Canada?
Still, I'm trying to make sense of it all here, Elliot. I know you've been asked about him a lot here over the last couple of days. Anything you would like to add here now on the pod?
First of all, Dom, I just wanted to say that line about his love for ketchup is fantastically written. That is elite writing. Just a couple of things. Number one, I mentioned this on the radio show today with Matt and Mike Futa. Are you, Kyle, hotel room, king bed or two doubles?
I think you and I both are wired the same. King bed as much as possible.
That's the only thing I really care about in a hotel room. I'll say king bed, please, king bed. That's the only thing I really care about. But John Garrett was always two doubles. And he would get upset if he didn't have two doubles because one of those beds was to throw his suitcase on. It was mandatory. He had two double beds.
You know, I think you can put they have these things that these silver things that are wooden things that you can put your suitcase on and open them that way. But no, he is not like that. And he had to have two double beds, one for him and one for his suitcase. But, you know, the story that, you know, we told at the beginning of the show.
So Matt Marstrom is one of our producers and he is he's a day one Sportsnet employee. He's been there 27 years, which is one reason that Matt looks like he's about 275 years old. But he was really close to Garrett. He was really devastated, like a lot of other employees were. And he told me on Monday that...
Every year, whenever John came to Toronto to work on the panel during the playoffs, the first night they shared a bucket of KFC, who I forgot is one of our sponsors, but they shared a bucket. It was tradition. The first night he showed up for the playoffs, it was bucket of KFC. So a bunch of us who worked here heard that story and said, you know what? We're going to get a bucket of KFC for KFC.
Matt Marstrom on Tuesday, that's what we're going to get for him. And the amazing thing about that Kyle was when I, so we work on the main floor and the control room is on the eighth floor. And when I got out of the elevator on the eighth floor and I was carrying the bags with the buckets in them, the people who saw me, they knew exactly what it was about. They understood the lore.
They knew the story. And you've just seen the look in their face. Like it, It just meant something, even though it was for Matt Marstrom and he could share it with everybody because we ordered two buckets. We could share it with everybody. All the people who saw the KFC, they understood it.
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