John Shorthouse
Encyclopedia
John "Shorty" Shorthouse (born January 31, 1970 in Vancouver
, British Columbia
) is a Canadian
sports broadcaster, based in Vancouver
. He is the lead play-by-play commentator for the Vancouver Canucks
on the television station Rogers Sportsnet Pacific
and the "Team 1040" when Vancouver games are not broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet Pacific.
Shorthouse began his broadcasting career on local station CKVU-TV
in 1993. He was one of the anchors of a popular late-night sports program called Sports Page. In the late nineties he began working as a reporter on Canucks pay-per-view
telecasts and called his first NHL hockey game in the play-by-play role as a substitute on March 24, 1998 against the New York Islanders
. This game was significant because it featured the return of popular ex-Canucks Trevor Linden
and Gino Odjick
. The following season, with the inception of CTV
Sportsnet (now Rogers Sportsnet
), the Canucks greatly expanded their television coverage and Shorthouse was hired to split play-by-play duties with Jim Robson
. He also filled in on radio broadcasts when Jim Hughson
was assigned to national Sportsnet telecasts. The following year, Robson retired, and Shorthouse became the permanent radio play-by-play man, while Hughson moved to television full-time.
He was the radio voice of the Canucks from 1999–2000 until 2007-08, working alongside colour commentator Tom Larscheid
. The two moved over from rival radio station CKNW after that station lost the Canucks' broadcasting rights in 2006. Shorthouse was often seen as the more even-handed of the two in comparison with his exuberant colleague Larscheid.
In March 2008, Jim Hughson left his Canucks' play-by-play position on Rogers Sportsnet to take on CBC telecasts
full time, leaving the position available. On June 3rd, 2008, it was announced that John Shorthouse would take over that position. John is now the voice of the Canucks for every game broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet, and every other game, is the voice on the Team 1040. When Shorthouse is on TV, Rick Ball calls the action during home and road games.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
) is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
sports broadcaster, based in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
. He is the lead play-by-play commentator for the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
on the television station Rogers Sportsnet Pacific
Rogers Sportsnet
Sportsnet was launched on October 9, 1998 as CTV Sportsnet. The name was chosen to match the regional "Fox Sports Net" operations across the United States...
and the "Team 1040" when Vancouver games are not broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet Pacific.
Shorthouse began his broadcasting career on local station CKVU-TV
CKVU-TV
CKVU-DT is a television station based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Owned by Rogers Media , it was the second station to become part of the Citytv system in Canada.-History:CKVU's history dates back to 1975, when Western Approaches Ltd...
in 1993. He was one of the anchors of a popular late-night sports program called Sports Page. In the late nineties he began working as a reporter on Canucks pay-per-view
Breakaway PPV
Breakaway PPV is a Canadian English language regional pay-per-view television provider in Western Canada and the territories. Breakaway is jointly owned by the parent companies of the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Edmonton Oilers at 33.33% each....
telecasts and called his first NHL hockey game in the play-by-play role as a substitute on March 24, 1998 against the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. This game was significant because it featured the return of popular ex-Canucks Trevor Linden
Trevor Linden
Trevor John Linden, C.M., O.B.C. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played centre and right wing with four different teams: the Vancouver Canucks , New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, and Washington Capitals...
and Gino Odjick
Gino Odjick
Wayne Gino "Chief, The Enforcer" Odjick was born on 7 September 1970 in an Algonquin Native Reserve named Chum Sa Bay at Maniwaki, Quebec. He was a professional hockey player in the National Hockey League from 1990–91 to 2001–02....
. The following season, with the inception of CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
Sportsnet (now Rogers Sportsnet
Rogers Sportsnet
Sportsnet was launched on October 9, 1998 as CTV Sportsnet. The name was chosen to match the regional "Fox Sports Net" operations across the United States...
), the Canucks greatly expanded their television coverage and Shorthouse was hired to split play-by-play duties with Jim Robson
Jim Robson
Jim Robson was a radio and television broadcaster for the Vancouver Canucks from 1970 to 1999...
. He also filled in on radio broadcasts when Jim Hughson
Jim Hughson
Jim Hughson is a Canadian sportscaster, best known for his play-by-play of professional ice hockey and baseball.-Biography:...
was assigned to national Sportsnet telecasts. The following year, Robson retired, and Shorthouse became the permanent radio play-by-play man, while Hughson moved to television full-time.
He was the radio voice of the Canucks from 1999–2000 until 2007-08, working alongside colour commentator Tom Larscheid
Tom Larscheid
Tom Larscheid is a former Vancouver-based radio sports broadcaster and football player. After a career playing college and CFL football, he was the colour commentator for the CFL's BC Lions and the NHL's Vancouver Canucks for many years...
. The two moved over from rival radio station CKNW after that station lost the Canucks' broadcasting rights in 2006. Shorthouse was often seen as the more even-handed of the two in comparison with his exuberant colleague Larscheid.
In March 2008, Jim Hughson left his Canucks' play-by-play position on Rogers Sportsnet to take on CBC telecasts
Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada is the branding used for CBC Sports' presentations of the National Hockey League...
full time, leaving the position available. On June 3rd, 2008, it was announced that John Shorthouse would take over that position. John is now the voice of the Canucks for every game broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet, and every other game, is the voice on the Team 1040. When Shorthouse is on TV, Rick Ball calls the action during home and road games.