Well-respected Vancouver hockey writer and TSN 1040 (CKST-AM) contributor Jason Botchford has passed away unexpectedly. He was 48.
Botchford’s family issued a statement Wednesday revealing the longtime sportswriter died at home over the weekend of apparent heart failure.
Botchford joined The Athletic Vancouver last fall, but spent the bulk of his sports writing career at The Province where he covered the Vancouver Canucks for 13 years. His post-game Provies Report grew to become one of the paper’s most popular posts. He also appeared regularly on TSN 1040 and TSN’s That’s Hockey.
“Jason Botchford’s family is sad to announce that Jason has died of apparent heart failure. Jason was a highly respected hockey journalist, prominent in the Vancouver area and across Canada for his coverage of the Vancouver Canucks and the National Hockey League for The Athletic Vancouver and for TSN radio and television.
Jason, 48, grew up in Aurora, Ontario. After completing his studies at Western University in London, Ontario, he graduated from the advanced journalism program at Centennial College in Toronto. He began his journalism career as a reporter for the Toronto Sun, then moved to Vancouver to take a news reporting job at the Vancouver Province. Soon after he started at the Province, he moved into sports to cover the Canucks and NHL.
Last fall, Jason joined The Athletic Vancouver as its senior hockey writer. He developed a huge following with his lively, often playful writing style, edgy commentary and plugged-in reportage. He appeared regularly on Vancouver radio station TSN 1040 and on TSN’s parent network, particularly its popular That’s Hockey segment. And he was dynamic presence on social media, attracting more than 59,000 Twitter followers.
A loving father and husband, Jason is survived by his wife, Kathryn; their children, Sienna, Keira and Hudson; his brother, Derek Botchford, sister-in-law Andrea Soto and nephews Nolan and Miles; and his stepfather, John Lott. He was predeceased by his mother, Nancy Lott, in 2016, and his father, Henry Botchford, in 2018.
The family is heartbroken at his unexpected passing. We will be making no further statements and ask that our privacy be respected. Arrangements for a memorial service are incomplete.”
there are no words. RIP Botch 💔 pic.twitter.com/vXqFzthT0J
— 1040Patcast (@1040Patcast) May 1, 2019
We are completely heartbroken at @TheAthleticNHL this week. RIP Jason – we miss you. You were an amazing colleague and friend. https://t.co/recGVApMNz
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) May 1, 2019
Would like to pass on my deepest condolences to the Botchford family. There are no words to express the right amount of sympathy towards his wife and young children. He will be greatly missed by all of us.
— Blake Price (@BlakePriceTSN) May 1, 2019
Jason Botchford was a provocative and creative journalist, a valued colleague and a beacon for #Canucks coverage. This loss is immeasurable and unimaginable. My condolences to his wife Kat, his three children, and father @LottOnBaseball.
— Matthew Sekeres (@mattsekeres) May 1, 2019
Jason @botchford was a writer and personality that I tried my damn best to model myself after every time I had to speak or write about hockey. He helped me out numerous times during my years at BCIT for projects and gave me a recommendation for a journalism scholarship…
— Aaron Schulze (@SchulzePANow) May 1, 2019
#ripbotch Jason Botchford @botchford was a man whose passion dripped from whatever forum he was writing or speaking on…it was palpable. When the notebook was put away and the microphones off, he was nothing but nice to me. Much love to his family and friends. Devastating loss
— Dave Sheldon (@DaveSheldonYVR) May 1, 2019
What tragic news, as we lose a young family man and innovative journalist in Jason Botchford at just 48. He was a true reporter, and a skilled news breaker who didn’t mind stepping on a few toes to say what needed to be said. And pity the person who took him on… 1/2
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) May 1, 2019
A google search of “Provies Jason Botchford” brought this gem. A sample of his obvious talent and creativity: The Provies: The dawn of Demko, the Jussi thing, the trap thing and the next big question – The Province https://t.co/ssPJiPjPci
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) May 1, 2019
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