Longtime Canucks broadcaster passes away after over 25 years covering team: Remembering John McKeachie
Photo credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
Longtime Canucks broadcaster John McKeachie has passed away after more than 25 years bringing Vancouver hockey into living rooms across the city.
The news is hitting hard for anyone who grew up with a radio or TV on during Canucks games.
McKeachie spent decades as part of the CKNW and BCTV broadcast teams, working alongside legends like Jim Robson and Tom Larscheid during some of the most memorable eras in franchise history.
For a lot of fans, his voice wasn't just background noise during a game.
It was part of the experience itself, the thing that made a Tuesday night matchup feel like an event.
McKeachie's path into broadcasting wasn't a straight line.
He grew up in Victoria playing baseball and basketball, and only found his way into the industry after breaking his jaw playing hoops at the University of Victoria led him to a summer radio gig.
That summer job turned into a career that stretched well beyond hockey, eventually covering the Olympics, the BC Lions, and the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Tributes pouring in from across the hockey world
Word of his passing spread quickly on social media, with colleagues and fans sharing memories of his warmth and professionalism.
One tribute from someone who worked alongside him captured the sentiment well.
That kind of reaction says a lot about the mark someone leaves behind.
McKeachie wasn't just respected for his longevity, he was genuinely trusted by the city he covered for a quarter century.
A voice that shaped how Vancouver watched hockey
For three separate years, McKeachie was named BC Sportscaster of the Year, a reflection of just how consistently excellent he was behind the mic.
Outside of BCTV, he stayed a fixture in the community, regularly volunteering his time for charity events around the province even in retirement.
His passing leaves a real void in Vancouver sports media, and the tributes rolling in this week show just how many lives he touched along the way.
May he rest in peace.
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