John Garrett Cause of Death | Legendary hockey, Canucks, Net Worth, Family, Biography & lifestyle!
The hockey world is mourning the heartbreaking loss of one of its most beloved voices and personalities, John Garrett.
John Murdoch Garrett, lovingly known by fans as “Cheech,” passed away on April twenty-seventh, twenty twenty-six, at the age of seventy-four. He was a former NHL goaltender, WHA veteran, and one of Canada’s most recognizable hockey broadcasters. His passing was confirmed by Sportsnet and the Vancouver Canucks organization, leaving fans across North America in shock.
At the time of public reporting, no official cause of death had been released. Reports simply stated that he died suddenly, making the loss even more painful for those who had recently heard his familiar voice during hockey coverage.
For decades, Garrett was more than a player or commentator—he was part of the hockey family itself. Whether stopping pucks on the ice or sharing stories in the broadcast booth, he brought warmth, humor, and authenticity that fans never forgot.
Today, we remember the life, career, family, and legacy of John Garrett.
BIOGRAPHY
John Murdoch Garrett was born on June seventeenth, nineteen fifty-one, in Trenton, Ontario, Canada.
From a young age, hockey was his passion. Though he was not the tallest goaltender, standing at five feet eight inches, he made up for it with determination, intelligence, and fearless play. He understood early that success would come through hard work, not size.
Garrett grew up with a deep love for the game and quickly built a reputation for being tough, dependable, and competitive. His strong work ethic helped him rise through the ranks of professional hockey.
But what truly made John special was not only his talent—it was his personality. He was funny, humble, and easy to love. Fans respected him as a player, but they would later adore him even more as a broadcaster.
His journey would take him from Ontario rinks to NHL arenas and eventually into the homes of millions of hockey fans.
PLAYING CAREER
John Garrett was selected in the nineteen seventy-one NHL Entry Draft by the St. Louis Blues.
Before reaching the NHL spotlight, he spent time developing with the Blues’ affiliate teams, including the Portland Buckaroos and the Richmond Robins. These early years helped shape him into a reliable professional goaltender.
His major breakthrough came in nineteen seventy-three when he signed with the Minnesota Fighting Saints of the World Hockey Association. He played there until the franchise folded in nineteen seventy-six.
After that, he joined the Toronto Toros and later followed the team when it moved and became the Birmingham Bulls.
In the final WHA season, Garrett was traded to the New England Whalers. When the WHA merged with the NHL, he remained with the franchise as it entered the league.
He later played for the Quebec Nordiques and the Vancouver Canucks, where fans truly embraced him.
One of the most historic moments of his career came when he assisted on Gordie Howe’s final career goal. Amazingly, the NHL did not officially credit Garrett with the assist for decades. It was finally confirmed during the twenty twenty-five Stanley Cup Final.
Garrett also represented Vancouver in the nineteen eighty-three NHL All-Star Game in one of the strangest MVP stories ever. He was first voted MVP before Wayne Gretzky scored four late goals, forcing a second vote that gave Gretzky the award.
His playing career ended before the nineteen eighty-five to nineteen eighty-six season, closing a memorable thirteen-year professional run.
BROADCASTING CAREER
For many fans, John Garrett was best known not as a goalie, but as the voice of hockey nights.
After retirement, he was originally offered a management role with Vancouver, but after front-office changes, that opportunity disappeared.
Instead, he found his true second career—in broadcasting.
In nineteen eighty-six, Garrett joined CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada as a color commentator. It did not take long for fans to fall in love with his style.
He was honest, funny, knowledgeable, and never forced. He spoke like someone who truly loved the game because he had lived it.
Soon, he became one of hockey broadcasting’s most respected voices, covering major playoff games and conference finals.
He later worked with Edmonton Oilers broadcasts, Calgary Flames coverage, and eventually became the longtime color commentator for Vancouver Canucks games on Sportsnet Pacific.
His partnership with John Shorthouse became legendary among Canucks fans.
Garrett’s humor, food stories, and famous ketchup jokes made him unforgettable. He was never just calling games—he made fans feel like they were watching with a friend.
In March of twenty twenty-three, he announced his retirement from full-time Canucks regional broadcasts, though he continued making part-time appearances on Sportsnet.
Even after stepping back, his voice remained part of hockey culture.
PERSONAL LIFE
Away from hockey, John Garrett was known for kindness and humility.
Friends and colleagues described him as warm, approachable, and genuinely funny. He treated everyone with respect, whether they were star players or everyday fans.
He carried no ego despite decades of fame.
His famous nickname “Cheech” came from teammate Rick Smith in the mid-nineteen seventies. Garrett’s afro hairstyle and mustache reminded Smith of Cheech from the comedy duo Cheech and Chong, and the name stayed forever.
Another nickname was “Lotto,” earned because his goals-against average one season matched Canada’s Lotto six forty-nine numbers.
He laughed at both nicknames and embraced them, showing the same humor fans loved.
His personality made him unforgettable—not just as a broadcaster, but as a human being.
FAMILY LIFE
John Garrett kept most of his family life private, choosing to protect his loved ones from the spotlight.
Even with a long public career, he remained deeply family-focused behind the scenes. Friends often shared how much he valued time with family, children, and grandchildren.
Fans who met him often described him as warm, fatherly, and incredibly kind. Many said he felt like family simply through television.
Though the names of his family members were not widely publicized, one thing was clear—he was deeply loved at home and in the hockey world.
His passing leaves behind grieving family, close friends, former teammates, coworkers, and millions of fans.
CAUSE OF DEATH
John Garrett passed away suddenly on April twenty-seventh, twenty twenty-six, at the age of seventy-four.
Sportsnet confirmed the news, and the Vancouver Canucks and NHL quickly shared emotional tributes.
At the time of reporting, no official cause of death had been publicly disclosed.
Reports only stated that Garrett died suddenly, which made the loss even more shocking for fans, especially because he had still been involved in hockey broadcasts not long before his passing.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the hockey world was stunned and saddened by the sudden loss.
For many, it was hard to believe that such a familiar and comforting voice was suddenly gone.
Sometimes the most painful goodbyes are the unexpected ones.
NET WORTH
At the time of his passing in twenty twenty-six, John Garrett’s estimated net worth was believed to be between three million and five million dollars.
His income came from both his professional playing career and his long broadcasting career with CBC, Hockey Night in Canada, and Sportsnet.
But his true wealth was never money.
It was the respect he earned from players, coworkers, and generations of fans.
That kind of legacy cannot be measured by dollars.
LEGACY AND IMPACT
John Garrett left a legacy in two worlds—on the ice and behind the microphone.
As a player, he gave fans unforgettable moments across the WHA and NHL.
As a broadcaster, he became part of everyday life for hockey fans, especially in Vancouver.
People did not just watch games with John Garrett.
They experienced hockey with him.
He made victories feel sweeter and losses easier to handle.
His commentary felt natural, like listening to a trusted friend who truly loved the sport.
That authenticity is rare.
And impossible to replace.
The Canucks called him family.
Fans called him a legend.
Both were true.
EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE ENDING
John Garrett may be gone, but his voice will never truly leave hockey.
In every old Canucks highlight…
In every Hockey Night in Canada memory…
In every fan who still smiles remembering one of his stories…
Cheech will live on.
He reminded people that sports are not only about winning.
They are about connection.
Laughter.
Memories.
And heart.
He gave all of that to the hockey world.
Today, hockey says goodbye to one of its most beloved voices.
But legends like John Garrett never truly disappear.
They remain in the stories we tell and the memories we keep.
Rest peacefully, John Garrett.
Thank you for every save, every laugh, and every unforgettable moment.
You will never be forgotten.
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