Vancouver Canucks fans loved John Garrett as much as he loved them — as much as ketchup, that is. The legendary broadcaster and former Canucks goaltender passed away suddenly at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, humor, and an unbreakable bond with the hockey community.
Outpouring of Tributes
Social media was flooded with anecdotes and love for Garrett on Tuesday. Fans, colleagues, and friends shared memories of his infectious personality and unique broadcasting style alongside John Shorthouse.
Reddit Reactions
One Reddit user described Garrett as "that warm hoodie fresh out of the dryer on a cold winter day." Another wrote, "You were my childhood. John & John. You don't have to be religious to say God Bless ya Cheech." A mod from r/Canucks said, "Growing up listening to John & John was like having two uncles calling the games every night."
Bluesky Memories
On Bluesky, a former teammate recalled playing charity games with Garrett: "Great storyteller and funny as hell. Understood sports is for fun." Another fan shared that Garrett signed a bottle of ketchup at a signing event, joking that he talked about food so much because the team was bad. "An unmatched sense of humor and such a kind man. RIP Cheech."
Many noted his deep affection for Shorthouse, with one user saying, "I feel for Shorthouse, as his obvious affection for Garrett stood out all the time." Another recalled the story of Garrett stuffing a hot dog in his pads while playing for the Nordiques.
X Tributes
On X, users celebrated his iconic fiberglass masks and his ability to make even bad teams enjoyable. One fan wrote, "I will put ketchup on fries and will forever salute you when I pour ketchup." Another shared a memory from the 1980s: "Garrett did triple duty as pitcher for both teams and did play-by-play at the same time. Also, he wore his goalie's catcher as his mitt. He was so damn funny!"
A story of a fan chasing Garrett into a parking lot for an autograph ended with Garrett taking his time to sign a mini goalie stick. "LEGEND," the fan wrote.
Longtime colleague John Shannon said, "I knew John Garrett for more than 40 years... He was everything you could ask for in a friend, a co-worker, and a teammate. He loved the Canucks, the Blue Jays, and being the Grandfather. Most of all, he loved his wife Sharon. He was the best of us."
A Legacy of Laughter and Love
Garrett's impact extended beyond the broadcast booth. He was a former NHL goaltender who played for the Canucks and later became a beloved voice of the team. His catchphrases and love for ketchup became legendary among fans.
As one fan summed up: "Even though he wasn't like us — he was an NHL goalie and an all-star to boot — John Garrett was one of us. Someone who celebrated all the highs and suffered through all the lows with us and articulated how it feels to be a Canucks fan night in and night out. I wish they could've won one for him."
The Canucks organization and the hockey world mourn the loss of a true legend. Garrett's warmth, humor, and dedication will be deeply missed.
