Longtime sports writer and hockey analyst Jason Botchford has died of apparent heart failure, according to a statement from his grieving family.
Botchford, an Ontario native who spent more than a decade covering the Vancouver Canucks, was just 48 years old. He left behind his wife Katherine and their three children, Sienna, Keira and Hudson.
"The family is heartbroken at his unexpected passing," his loved ones said in a statement.
Botchford had recently joined the website The Athletic as a senior sports writer, following a 13-year stint at The Province newspaper. His on-air commentary also made him a popular voice on TSN 1040, where he was a frequent contributor.
"From being a former morning show co-host to one of our most vital hockey contributors, Jason was essential to what we did. He was amazing on the air and just the same off the air," said Trevor Martins, program director at 1040.
"Jason had a huge following in our community with one of the biggest fan bases in the city. He will be missed by so many."
Longtime colleague Jeff Paterson worked closely with Botchford. The two co-hosted a Canucks podcast together.
"It won't be the same when the Canucks get to training camp. There is always turnover on the roster, but you don't expect turnover among the colleagues and your friends along press row," Paterson said.
On Wednesday tributes began pouring in by the thousands from friends, colleagues and even those were often times the target of his unfiltered colour commentary.
“I'd just like to pass on our sincerest condolences from the Columbus Blue Jackets to Jason Botchford's family,” is how former Vancouver Canucks head coach John Tortorella began his playoff press conference today.
TSN 1040's Matt Sekeres and Blake Price dedicated an entire four hour afternoon show to their late friend and frequent guest host.
"One of the things I would absolutely tell him is I respect the hell out of him as a colleague and competitor," Sekeres said.
On the job Botchford flew in the face of convention by modernizing the way fans followed the Vancouver Canucks with his signature column "The Provies." and later "The Athletties."
It became a must read not only for hockey fans, but even those who shared the press box.
"I've got four kids to put to school in the morning and I would be eating away at my sleep waiting for the Atletties to publish so I could read them before I went to bed," Price said.
On Wednesday The Athletic unlocked all of Botchford’s writing so fans could read for free.
Botchford studied journalism at Centennial College in Toronto. Before coming to Vancouver, he cut his teeth at The Toronto Sun, spending seven years covering sports as well as crime and court proceedings. He joined The Province in 2005, where he began the hockey blog The Ice Hole.
Botchford's family credited his success to his "lively, often playful writing style, edgy commentary and plugged-in reportage," which made him a fan-favourite in the hockey community.
Botchford was also survived by his brother, sister-in-law, two nephews and a stepfather.
