From basement broadcasts to the press box: John Shorthouse gives his career play-by-play

John Shorthouse has his dream job as a Canuck television and radio play-by-play man. Recently, as he hurtled along at 900 kilometers an hour and 35,000 feet above sea level, the Rogers Sportsnet and Team 1040 voice of the Canucks sat back on the team charter flight and took time to answer a few questions about his career, his start in the broadcast business, and the waist-line hazards of the NHL.

You graduated from Broadcast Journalism at BCIT in 1991 – did you start working in the business right away and what was your first job?

(JS): I got my first job towards the end of my first year at BCIT. I was a writer for CKVU Sports Page and shortly after that I also landed the weekend sports position at CKNW. I worked at both places for awhile before Paul Carson hired me full-time at Sports Page in 1992. I stayed there as a writer, producer, reporter and host until the summer of 1998 when I was hired to succeed Jim Hughson calling Canucks’ games at CKNW.

Now, you have the job you set out to get. What’s the best thing about it?

(JS): The best part about this job is that it never feels like a job. I’m doing exactly what I’ve wanted to do my entire life and I can’t imagine tiring of it. While there’s a definite routine and pattern to it, there’s also something different about each day. You never know what might happen in any given game and between that and the wonderful friendships I’ve made along the way, travelling North America with an outstanding group of colleagues I feel fortunate each and every day to be in this position. Also, summer’s off is a nice perk.

And the toughest?

(JS):You won’t ever hear me complaining about anything to do with this job, but if there’s one challenging aspect it’s being away from my family. I have two amazing kids and missing out on a lot of the milestone moments of their young lives can be frustrating. But on the flip side we get to spend so much time together in the summers when they’re out of school, it pretty well makes up for it. One other thing: it’s hard not to over-eat in this job, particularly traveling on the team charter.  We call the NHL the “Never Hungry League.”

What’s your most memorable moment in your 20 years of broadcasting biz experience?

(JS): It’s a series of moments, but obviously the most memorable would be calling 25 playoff games this past season, culminating in my first ever Stanley Cup Game Seven. It ended poorly from a Vancouver standpoint, but that can’t erase all the incredible moments we got to experience along the way. I have a much better appreciation for the sacrifice that comes with trying to win a Cup, and hope I get another opportunity to witness that first-hand again.

You’ve been calling games since you were a youngster. We’ve heard the story that you called mock games in your basement… true?

(JS):I started calling games in my basement when I was nine or ten years old. I would set up a desk in front of the TV and call the game into the external mic of the family ghetto blaster. I had another tape-player facing that one in which I had a cassette full of commercials I had either produced myself or recorded off the radio. When TV went to break I would run my own ads. Often-times I was able to rope a buddy or two into calling the games with me, but I ALWAYS got to be play by play!

Any truth to the rumours that you practiced calling games from the rafters at the Pacific Coliseum?

(JS): I only called a couple of games from the rafters at the Coliseum. This was during my Sports Page days, when I decided it would be prudent to have a demo tape that was recorded AFTER my voice had changed. The first time the Canucks’ play by play job came open (when Jim Hughson replaced Jim Robson) I actually applied by submitting both a recent demo from the rafters and an old recording of me calling games as a kid.

Even though you had this early experience, and the basic skills, you came to BCIT’s Broadcast Journalism program. How did BCIT help you?

(JS): Quite simply, BCIT helped me get a job in the industry. It gave me a basic understanding of a lot of different jobs, and that was key to me getting full-time work at Sports Page. I could write the show, produce it, report for it or host it. Having a diverse skill-set made me the first person they’d call no matter who was on holidays or away sick. I still tell BCIT students the same thing: learn as many skills as you can while you’re here, because you never know which one will be the one that gets your foot in the door.

I think Jim Robson was a hero to you – now, you may be that same type of example to others – what advice would you give to someone pursuing their career dreams?

(JS): Advice is difficult because each situation can be so unique. Obviously what I mentioned before, which is to diversify your talents as much as you possibly can. In other words, know a little (or as much as you can!) about a lot. I would also say to those in on-air positions, don’t be afraid to admit you’re wrong or to say “I don’t know.” People appreciate honesty, and they particularly appreciate self-deprecating humour.

A sample of John’s play-off 2011 work on the TEAM 1040.