When the Vancouver Canucks face the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday, it will essentially be John Garrett Night at Rogers Arena.
During his playing career, Garrett spent three seasons with the Hartford Whalers and three seasons with the Canucks. The Whalers went on to become the Hurricanes, while Garrett went on to become the Canucks’ colour commentator for more than two decades, so it’s fitting that he would be honoured in a game between the Canucks and Hurricanes.
The late, great John Garrett during his playing days. (Vancouver Canucks)
The Canucks will pay tribute to the late John Garrett throughout Tuesday night’s game, with not only videos on the scoreboard, but also T-shirts worn by the players.
The tribute will even extend into the press box, where the pre-game meal for staff and the media will consist of some of Cheech’s favourite foods.
That will, of course, include ketchup.
Canucks fans are well aware of Garrett’s love for ketchup, as it was a frequent topic of conversation between Garrett and play-by-play man John Shorthouse, especially when the games took a turn for the worse, which was often.
Garrett even infamously took ketchup with him on the ice during an NHL game, as he had to hide a fully dressed hot dog in his goalie pads when called into action to replace the Quebec Nordiques’ Dan Bouchard.
For one night, every member of the Canucks’ media will eat like Cheech — as fitting a tribute as could be imagined.
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