Rumor: Sportsnet set to lose one of the most popular broadcasters in NHL

UPDATE: Sportsnet 650 host Satiar Shah is now reporting that Shorthouse has signed a new contract with Sportsnet and WILL be back for 2023-24.

Read below for our earlier report on this developing story.

According to a report from Vancouver Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal, Sportsnet has not yet finalized an agreement with longtime Canucks broadcaster John Shorthouse for the upcoming season. 

Sportsnet is set to unveil its broadcasting schedule and, presumably, its broadcasting team for the upcoming season next Tuesday and Dhaliwal reports that getting Shorthouse under contract will "come down to the wire."

From Dhaliwal:

Shorthouse, of course, is a longtime Sportsnet employee and has been calling Canucks games as a play by play broadcaster since 1998. The native of Vancouver took over for another longtime Canucks broadcaster Jim Hughson in the 2000s when Hughson moved to a national role with CBC and arguably has surpassed Hughson and former Canucks broadcaster Jim Robson as the best broadcaster in Canucks history. Personally, I think he's the best play by play man in the entire NHL.

It's also worth noting that Shorthouse's longtime color commentator partner John Garrett retired mid-season in 2022-23.