Today In NHL History - John Shorthouse

On January 31st in 1970, broadcaster John Shorthouse was born in Vancouver, BC. Best known as the voice of the Vancouver Canucks and for leading the charge to the in-flight buffet, Shorty collected his first play-by-play payday calling a Canucks game in March 1998.

In September 1999, Shorthouse inherited the full-time radio role from Gemini Award winner Jim Hughson, working alongside color-man Tom Larscheid. Since September 2007, Shorthouse has split his duties between Rogers Sportsnet, Canucks pay-per-view, and the Team 1040.


The Canucks have played 14 times on Shorty's birthday, 7 of which he called, posting a record of 9-2-3 and collecting points in all but two. This year's celebration takes place during the NHL's all-star break which sees the Canucks off for 10 days, returning to action in New Jersey next week.

Year     Team -   Final
1971:    v. BUF --- 6-1 (L)
1978:    v. WAS --  4-2 (W)
1986:    v. MIN --  10-5 (W)
1989:    v. EDM --  6-2 (W)
1991:    v. NYR --- 3-3 (T)
1994:    v. LAK --- 3-1 (W)
1998:    @EDM --  6-3 (W)
2004:    @WAS --  6-1 (W)
2006:    @PHO --   7-4 (W)
2008:    @TBL --,   4-3 (OTL)
2009:    v. MIN --   4-3 (OTL)
2012:    v. CHI ---   3-2 (OTW)
2014:    @WPG      4-3 (L)     
2022:    @CHI        3-1 (W)

Career highlights include winning $20,000 with Tom Larscheid in the Canucks 50/50 draw (2005), calling a game with superfan Michael Buble (2009), joining the Burnaby crooner onstage for a duet in Vancouver (2010), covering the Stanley Cup Final (2011), and Fartgate (2023).

Shorthouse credits his broadcasting success to following around veteran voice Jim Hughson and taking the jobs he no longer wants.

That's today in NHL history.