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John Garrett

John Garrett was a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender and television broadcaster.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

John Murdoch Garrett (born June 17, 1951) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender and television broadcaster. He played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League from 1971 to 1985, and later became a long-time hockey analyst, most notably for Vancouver Canucks broadcasts and Sportsnet.

Early life and junior hockey

John Murdoch Garrett was born in Trenton, Ontario, in 1951. He played junior hockey with the Peterborough Petes before being selected by the St. Louis Blues in the 1971 NHL draft.

Professional playing career

Garrett spent his professional career in the WHA and NHL between 1971 and 1985. He played for several teams, including the Birmingham Bulls, New England Whalers, Quebec Nordiques, and Vancouver Canucks. His NHL career totals were 207 games played, 68 wins, 1 shutout, a 4.28 goals-against average, and a .866 save percentage.

Broadcasting career

After retiring from playing, Garrett became a hockey broadcaster in 1986, beginning with CBC's Hockey Night in Canada. He later became a familiar analyst on Canadian hockey coverage, especially for the Vancouver Canucks and Sportsnet.

Legacy

Garrett is remembered both for his long professional career as a goaltender and for his decades as a broadcaster. His name is associated with Western Canadian hockey coverage and with the WHA/NHL goaltending era.

Key facts

  • Garrett played professionally in both the WHA and NHL, including with the Vancouver Canucks, Quebec Nordiques, Hartford Whalers, and New England Whalers.
  • He was drafted 38th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 1971 NHL draft.
  • After retiring as a player, he worked as a hockey commentator, beginning with CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada in 1986 and later with Sportsnet and Vancouver Canucks broadcasts.
  • He was known by the nickname “Cheech.”
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Canadian context

Garrett was born in Ontario and became one of the most recognizable Canadian hockey broadcasters, especially through his long association with Vancouver Canucks coverage.[3][8][10]

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Garrett in hockey?
He was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who later became a long-time hockey broadcaster.
When was John Garrett born?
He was born on June 17, 1951.
What teams did John Garrett play for?
He played for teams including the Vancouver Canucks, Quebec Nordiques, Hartford Whalers, New England Whalers, and Birmingham Bulls.
Was John Garrett drafted into the NHL?
Yes. He was selected 38th overall by the St. Louis Blues in 1971.
What did John Garrett do after retirement?
He worked as a hockey commentator, beginning in 1986 and later becoming a prominent broadcaster for Sportsnet and Canucks coverage.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Garrett_(ice_hockey)
    Supports: Playing career details, teams, and WHA/NHL history.
  2. NHL.com — https://www.nhl.com/player/john-garrett-8447066
    Supports: Birth details, draft information, position, career totals, and playing statistics.
  3. Hockey-Reference — https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/g/garrejo01.html
    Supports: Birthplace, draft status, physical stats, retirement year, and Hall of Fame/Stanley Cup notes.
  4. Sportsnet — https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sportsnet-analyst-john-garrett-passes-away/
    Supports: Broadcasting career, nickname, and long association with Canucks coverage.
  5. Sportsnet — https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/a-delightful-human-john-garrett-was-one-of-a-kind/
    Supports: Background, playing career, and broadcasting legacy.