One of the most well-known faces in Canadian sports broadcasting is gone.
TSN announced on Thursday morning that Darren Dutchyshen died on Wednesday at the age of 57.
Dutchyshen had been with TSN since 1995 and became one of the network’s most recognizable faces, particularly for his role as a host on the flagship sports news program, SportsCentre.
Dutchyshen was known for his energetic delivery, sharp wit and extensive knowledge of various sports.
While his cause of death was not announced, he has battled cancer in the past.
In Sept. 2021, he announced that he had prostate cancer and took time off from broadcasting for treatment. He would return to TV a year later, detailing his battle with and recovery from the disease.
“Honestly, a year ago I didn’t know if I’d be coming back,” Dutchyshen told SportsCentre co-host Jennifer Hedger and viewers at the time. “That’s when it was diagnosed that I had cancer.”
“It started a whole arduous process,” Dutchyshen continued, stating he had prostate cancer that had metastasized. “It had gone through my body. It’s not the kind of cancer where you ring a bell. So it’s still in the base of my skull, my ribs, my legs, hips and stuff like that.”
Dutchyshen said he felt “really, really good.”
“And the place that I feel best is right here (on SportsCentre),” he said.
“Darren Dutchyshen was a legend of Canadian sports broadcasting, a great teammate, and an essential part of TSN for the last three decades,” said Stewart Johnston, Bell Media’s senior vice president of sales & sports.
“A larger-than-life personality, Darren’s incredible sense of humour and magnetic energy made him a natural broadcaster who connected easily with viewers. His enthusiasm reminded us every day of why we love sports. Most significantly, Darren was a friend to all of us at TSN, and we will miss him dearly. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his loved ones.”
Born in Regina, Dutchyshen’s first job as a sportscaster was with STV in Saskatoon, followed by a stint with IMTV in Dauphin, Man. He also spent seven years as the host of ITV’s Sports Night in Edmonton before moving to TSN.
He began at the Canadian sports giant hosting weekend editions of SportsDesk and CFL Live before later hosting several other programs and taking a key role in the Kraft Celebration Tour.
“He passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones,” the Dutchyshen family said, according to TSN. “His sharp wit remained until his final moments, classically delivering plenty of jokes – most of them pretty good and all of them inappropriate.”
TSN announced that it will be honouring Dutchyshen over the coming days, with some of his closest friends and co-workers sharing their stories about what made him truly one of a kind.
Tributes immediately began to pour in on social media.
“As a Canadian Sports fan in their 20s, I don’t know hockey or TSN without Darren. Heartbreaking. RIP,” one user on X commented.
“Me and some friends saw him at a bar one time. Chatted with him and he engaged with us for about half an hour. Didn’t matter he was with others (who were probably annoyed) he gave sincere opinions and did it with a smile. Speaks volume to his character. Condolences to his family,” another wrote.