Colourful commentator John Garrett set to retire from Canucks broadcasts

© Provided by The Province John Garrett, a former NHL goalie and colour commentator for Sportsnet Pacific, poses for a photo in the press box before the Calgary Flames played the Vancouver Canucks in 2016.

An era is coming to an end for the Vancouver Canucks.

John Garrett, who has been the team’s TV colour analyst since 2002, announced during Thursday’s game that he was retiring from Sportsnet’s regional broadcast at the end of the season.

Garrett made the announcement during Thursday’s game against the San Jose Sharks.

In the announcement, an emotional Garrett says he will still appear in some other Sportsnet properties.

“If you’ve been watching and listening all these years, you know how much I’ve enjoyed my experience and my time doing this job. And a lot of the reason is the great people I work with,” he said.

“I’d like to thank John Shorthouse, Dan Murphy and our producer Greg Shannon. Your camaraderie and friendship will never be forgotten and we will be lifelong friends. But most of all, I’d like to thank the fans, whose unwavering support has lasted for these 20 years and beyond. Your enthusiasm and passion for the game and for this team will never be forgotten.

“We are all Canucks, thanks.”

A former Canucks goalie, Garrett always brought humour, often of a self-deprecating nature, to his commentary, but also added insight gathered from a career in professional hockey that stretched back to the 1970s.

© Collin Price Boston’s Jim Nill battles for the puck with Vancouver goaltender John Garrett with Ron Delorme in the background in 1984. © Mark van Manen John Garrett with John Shorthouse in 2010.  

More to come …

— with a file from Mike Raptis