Chapter 1: What are the initial reactions to John Garrett's passing?
Here's a lead pass, Hodson with the right wing, slap shot, scores! Cody Hodson makes it 4-2 Canucks with a rocket. What a shot. I don't think John Garrett in his prime would have got that one. Look at this shot by Cody Hodson, head up. And you can see Tim Thomas looking to see who shot that one. right underneath the bar, just inside the post, right where he wanted, that one.
It's 8.01 on a Tuesday. It's a very sad Tuesday here at the Halford & Brough Show and throughout Sportsnet 650 and the entire Sportsnet family. This morning, we passed along the news of the passing of John Garrett. Cheech, as he was known to most of you, a cherished member of the Vancouver Canucks. And the broadcasting community who passed away yesterday at the age of 74.
The Canucks have released a statement. I'll read the quote from president of hockey ops, Jim Rutherford here. Cheech was a special person and an important part of Canucks history. He loved this team and took great pride in sharing the game with our fans.
His personality, insight, and genuine care for the people around him made a lasting impression on our players, staff, and everyone who had the chance to work with him. This is a very difficult loss for all of us, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. We will go to the phone lines now.
We're joined by Thomas Drance from The Athletic Vancouver and Canucks Talk here on the Halford & Brough Show on Sportsnet 650. Stranser, thank you for taking the time to do this on short notice. And I'll just sort of cede the microphone as it was to you to open up with any remarks you want to make about one of the best to ever do it in Cheech. Yeah.
Thanks for having me. Obviously, the circumstances suck. You know, Cheech was a wonderful man, right? Like, I can't.
really go beyond that in terms of trying to put a bow on it and and it's hard to put a bow on but you know what strikes me when I remember him most is that you know he was exactly what he seemed you'd watch the broadcasts and you'd think this guy seems like a lovely guy the sort of guy that everyone would want to be around and that's exactly what he was right like I think about
just a generosity, you know, generous with a laugh, generous with a bag of mini donuts, um, generous with his time and his care. Uh, I think about his notes. He had these notes that were prepped by his granddaughter. Um, you know, that included like the salary cap information of every other team around the league and little notes about players.
Um, and he, you know, schlepped them to all the games, um,
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Chapter 2: How did John Garrett impact the Vancouver Canucks community?
on my way into the business, I remember like, you know, being really serious about hockey and there'd be like times where like a key play was happening and Garrett would be talking about cheeseburgers or whatever.
And I, I sort of wrote something early in my career, kind of like making fun of it and then getting to know him more as a person, you know, uh, him politely talking about advanced stats and occasionally asking me questions or, or what have you. Um,
getting to spend some time with him, getting to watch him interact with the world and with his teammates, it's something really struck to stuck with me, which was that you just got to be yourself and like, got to be yourself with the sort of discipline to perform as yourself while being authentic and true to who you are. Right. And for me anyway, that was like a really big eyeopening moment.
Like, okay, I'm a condescending jerk with an annoying laugh, but if I, if I don't behave like a condescending jerk with an annoying laugh, people are going to know I'm a phony. So I'm better off just being myself, even if I'm not ever going to be as likable as John Garrett. And like, I'm serious.
That was like a shaping lesson of my career was just realizing that John was exactly the same guy when I got to know him as the guy that I you know, enjoyed and really gained additional appreciation for over time as a color broadcaster.
The one thing I'm taking from the text inbox now and people texting in their memories of John Garrett, a lot of them are texting in times that they met John Garrett and John Garrett had time for them like real time, not just like, Hey, what's up? wanted to speak with them, was interested in them as people.
You know, one of the things that you learn and you try to remember is that your legacy is not built from big public moments. Your legacy is built from every interaction that you have with someone. And, you know, it takes sometimes some patience. But I think it just takes like...
a love for people and that's what uh that's what john john garrett had and he had a love for the fans of of the canucks and um and now you know he gets to be remembered as this guy that Had a lot of love in his heart and a lot of kindness in his heart. And, oh, yeah, was also a pretty good broadcaster as well. I think that's something to remember.
You know, especially when you are a public figure that, you know, you can have... We all know people like this, right? That are the opposite of Cheech, where they're super nice when the cameras are on them. They're super nice. But... you know, they're not so nice when they're just talking to one of their fans or they're talking to one of the little people they think they're above them.
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Chapter 3: What personal anecdotes highlight John Garrett's character?
That was just who he was. And then it also happened to benefit the television viewing audience, right? Like it also happened to make his game calls so connective and comfortable and familiar. You know, it felt like family, right?
Like it really felt like watching a game with family when you threw those guys on, whether it was during sort of those golden era seasons, obviously the Cody Hodgson game eight goal, I like what you just played, but also during some of those darker seasons in the middle of the aughts where, man, I mean... him and Shorty were by far the best thing about watching the team play.
You know, I want to continue that line of conversation. We are speaking to Thomas Drance from the Athletic Vancouver and Canucks talk here on the Halford and Brough show. If you are just joining the program and you're just getting up to speed with what's going on, some incredibly sad news to pass along that former Vancouver Canucks color commentator, one of the best ever do it.
One of the true voices of the Vancouver Canucks, John Garrett passed away yesterday. at the age of 74. Cheech, as he was affectionately known. And just to add to the list of anecdotes here, Drancer, you know, when you and I did the Canucks book together, which is really, it's a bathroom reader. We both kind of said, like, we need someone to do the foreword.
And the idea of, you know, let's get John Garrett to do it. It's kind of became a no brainer because of like the, the book was like, you know, it's, it's informative, but it's also not like war and peace. Right. I don't think it was up. I don't think we won the Pulitzer that year, but I wasn't sure I didn't check. Um, but yeah,
It was like he had a distinct voice, and he felt uniquely Vancouver and uniquely Canuckian, and part of it had to do with the fact that he played for the organization, and he played during an era where the team wasn't good and it was downtrodden, and he survived that, and then he was a broadcaster, and I think he really understood and encapsulated everything to the organization and what being a Canucks fan and what being from here meant, and I think that meant a lot to a lot of people that...
for lack of a better phrase, he got it and he got Vancouver and he got the Canucks. And that's why I think he was a fitting guy to ask to do what we asked him to do. And he was a fitting guy for a lot of fans because he understood all of it.
Yeah, I remember writing the, I remember writing a piece about Kevin BX's roast of the Sedin twins at their Jersey retirement ceremony. And I think my lead was something like, you know, give the Vancouver Canucks credit for, this franchise may not have done a lot of winning, but it is a franchise that does humor, right? Yeah. And I think that's sort of what you're touching on, right?
There was a warmth and a sense of humor to John Garrett that felt a piece of what this franchise represents for so many fans, right? For this idea of a communal experience in which we kind of know... at least historically, that the ending is going to require us to be able to have a laugh lest we cry, right? And, you know, I think short, I think, sorry, I think Garrett absolutely nailed that.
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Chapter 4: What memorable moments from John Garrett's career are shared?
Enjoying the experience, enjoying the journey. And that's what I think Gareth's magic was.
There's a bit of a Forrest Gump element to Cheech's career, right? I mean, you mentioned the All-Star game where his narrative meets Wayne Gretzky's narrative. He played with Gordie Howe. Yeah. With the, was it the, it was with the New England Whalers. And, you know, and he just so happened to be involved in Gordie Howe's last goal. And Gordie Howe had a pretty long career.
And then I'm thinking about another connection. It's like Bruce Boudreau gets hired in Vancouver and Cheech is like, yeah, we were teammates.
Yeah.
Of course you were. With the Minnesota Fighting Saints. I'm like, the Minnesota Fighting Saints.
Another team that I was on.
Yeah, one of the teams. And I just love how, like, you know, look, when you've been involved in the game, as long as a guy like John Garrett, you're going to come across a bunch of people. But it was the way he came across some big names, right? I mean, he had, you know, we're all very sad. We're all very sad about John Garrett today.
And again, our heart goes out to his family and everyone that knew him very well. And even those who didn't know him all that well, but felt like they knew him. He had a terrific life. And he experienced a lot. And he came across a lot of people. And a lot of that was because he put himself out there to come across those people. But a lot of that was just like he had an interesting life.
Like he has a degree from Queens University, right? I mean, he plays the piano. You know, I mean, it is, this is a guy, this is a guy that lived a full life. Maybe not, you know, when it comes to eating foods, but you know, he, he, but that was another thing about him. He's like, I don't like this stuff. I like this stuff and that's what I'm going to eat. Yeah. He was a kid.
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Chapter 5: How did John Garrett connect with fans and players alike?
That like hit me in the solar plexus was he walks out of the elevator into the press box and the attendant at the, like the, the host said, at the Minnesota press box is sort of like positioned at a dais and serves food and is there working, you know, give their game night staff. And the moment he walks off the elevator, both her arms go up, right? Like full body excitement.
And she's like, Oh boy, we're getting donuts. Cause every time Garrett came, he'd go down and buy mini donuts and then he'd come back up and he'd share them with everybody. Right? Like he'd, he'd literally buy a second bag to share. And he'd go around and, and it was like, yeah, he'd be chatting with some pro scout or some former teammate or fellow broadcasters.
Like he'd be hobnobbing with everybody. Cause he knew everybody and everybody liked him, but he'd also be chatting with the arena staff and sharing with, and Oh boy. Right. Like just like the full body. Can't fake it. Excitement of like this lovely guy, you know, like this is a great night. I get to see this lovely guy. Like it was,
you know, just like it's imprinted on me as just like this, such a telling moment of a life. Right. And, and again, it's not, you know, how Gary Bettman reacted. It's not how Bruce Boudreaux reacted. It's the, the game night staff in Minnesota, the moment they see his face being like, Oh, tonight's awesome. This guy always takes care of us. This guy's a really nice guy. And that's what he was.
He was a really nice guy.
He absolutely was. Drancer, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this today, man. We really appreciate it. My pleasure.
Cheech was the best. A wonderful man and happy to try and help us make sense of this because it's a really bad day. It is. Thanks, Thomas.
That's Thomas Drancer from The Athletic Vancouver and Connects Talk here on the Halford & Brough Show on Sportsnet 650. It's been a very emotional morning. We're going to open up the Dunbar Lumber text message in basket in the final half hour of the program. Countless texts coming in, sharing your emotions, your memories, your feelings, your good times and the sad times.
all pertaining to John Garrett. We're going to go to break with a little bit of levity, a lighter moment, one of Cheech's more famous, dare I say, infamous moments, the unforgettable jinx of Roberto Luongo's shutout against the Colorado Avalanche from several seasons ago. We'll let the audio speak for itself as we go to break.
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Chapter 6: What lessons can we learn from John Garrett's life?
People everywhere relishing the opportunity to slap you across the head, but it looks like it's maybe not gonna happen. Although the Avs do get the puck in front, a shot by McGee and he scores! Sean Garrett. Seven point one seconds left and the Avs are on the board. If you could see him right now, folks, he's in the fetal position. He's in the fetal position beside me. It is ridiculous.
It's all my fault. puck out. No. Ryan Stanton had a chance to clear the puck. It's knocked down at the point and then it's off the post and off Roberto Luongo's skate and just trickles in. Which side do you want slapped? Right side. That's your good side.
Canucks Talk with Jamie Dodd and Thomas Drance. We'll dive deep into all that's happening with the Vancouver Canucks. Listen 12 to 2 p.m. on Sportsnet 650 or wherever you get your podcasts.
Now a neat play by Cole to get the puck to Killorn, and he backhands it down the ice. Is that you? No. No, it wasn't. Pettersson finds drives, who's in on the right wing. If you can't laugh. Oh boy, yeah, you're right.
8.31 on a Tuesday. You are listening to the Halford & Brough Show on Sportsnet 650. It's okay to laugh. It's okay to feel whatever you're feeling out there. For those of you that are just joining the program, we have been passing along news all morning of the sad passing of Vancouver Canucks color commentator John Garrett. Cheech, as most of you knew him, Passed away last night at the age of 74.
We spent the better part of the last hour and a half fighting back tears, having laughs, trying to remember a guy that was truly loved by so many people. And a lot of people who have texted in this morning have shared their Thoughts, memories, feelings, emotions, anecdotes, both of what they remember him calling the game, personal anecdotes of meeting Cheech out in the wilderness, gen pop.
Just a tremendous guy. I got to know him a little bit through working in this industry and his relationship with Shorty, which was about as close as you can have a relationship with a coworker, I would say. And it wasn't even fair to classify them as coworkers, given how intertwined they were.
Yeah.
They were teammates. They were friends. They were all of it. And I thought Cheech was one of the most entertaining people I had ever been around. In an industry where there's no shortage of entertaining people around.
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Chapter 7: How did the hosts cope with the loss of John Garrett?
I met Cheech at Milestones on Scott Road in Surrey the winter of 1999. Hey, why not? He was eating ribs with another guy. I was with a few friends. We were in our mid-20s, and he was on Hockey Night in Canada, but not a Canucks voice yet, I don't think. We came to say hello. He stood up to shake our hands, his mustache full of barbecue sauce. Yep, that checks out.
As we're moving to our table, a loudmouth buddy of mine yelled back, give us a scoop before we go. Cheech yelled out, Buray will be traded this week. He was. Here's another one. That's great. Unsigned. I met Cheech at the London Drugs at Scott 72 in North Delta.
Went and introduced myself to him and told him how much I loved his work and comedic personality and just his love for the game, especially the Canucks. John couldn't have been nicer and more gracious in chatting with me while he was in line at the store. Classic and all-around great guy.
Yeah.
Here's another one. My wife and I were at a wedding a number of years ago and I knew a lot more people there than she did. At the reception, I got up to go and get a drink from the bar and ended up chatting with a number of people that I knew and I left my wife at the table alone for quite some time. I come back and she's chatting with this gentleman who she introduces to me as John.
I look at her with a smile on my face and she's like, oh, do you know him as well? Yeah. I said I've never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I feel like I've known him for years. Can I do one more? Absolutely. Here's an unsigned text. I happen to be down in Tempe for work in April of 2023. It was Cheech's last game called for the Canucks.
I was solo, but it didn't take long to meet many Canucks fans ready to start chants for him, crowding around behind the broadcast booth to show him our love. He stayed for quite some time after the game and took a moment for every single one of us lunatics to share a few words and take a quick picture. Truly one of the kindest people I've ever interacted with.
So that's actually a great one because Cheech's last home game as Vancouver Canucks broadcaster, they followed it up with an appearance on After Hours with Scott Oak, who has also called it a career recently.
um it's cheech and it's shorty and it's scott oak and the scene is incredible because shorty's holding a picture and he actually texted it to me a short while ago and it's cheech and shorty on a tour of the budweiser brewery together So they're wearing goggles and they both got on the red Budweiser hats. And when he sent it to me, I'm like, it's like Laverne and Shirley playing out in real time.
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Chapter 8: What final thoughts are shared about John Garrett's legacy?
And the answer is neither of us. We have shared power in our mustaches. Landy kept coming up to him during the game and would reference different parts of the car as if to say you're getting closer to winning the whole car. Like he said, you got the front tires. Now go get the steering wheel. And then after that, it was now go get the dashboard.
Wasn't it a Firebird or something?
It was a, I think it was a, it was a firebird that Gretzky didn't even end up keeping. He just gave it because he said Wayne had 13 cars at that point. So he said by the end of it, Lanny was convinced and Cheech was convinced that he had won MVP and he was going to win this car. Only for Wayne Gretzky to score the four goals and then the NHL making the change at the last moment.
But that story, and I don't want to make it too hyperbolic or try and read too much into it, but Drance did a great job of capturing it. That was, in a nutshell, kind of the sad sack plate of the Vancouver Canucks in the 80s. that there was always someone better, and there was always someone more talented, and they were never going to be the show.
I remember as a kid watching All-Star games and kind of not believing my eyes that a Canuck was out there.
Right.
You know, it was like... wow, Tony Tanti's on the ice with some really good players.
It was like he got to hobnob with the upper echelon of NHL players. Yeah.
But then the crazy part about Cheech... I mean, that's a real Forrest Gump type of story, right?
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