Longtime TSN Sportscentre host Darren Dutchyshen has passed away after a battle with cancer. He was 57.
Dutchyshen first announced his cancer diagnosis in September 2021 when he took a break from the network. His family said in a statement issued by Bell Media that he died “surrounded by his closest loved ones.”
“His sharp wit remained until his final moments,” the family statement continued. “Classically delivering plenty of jokes – most of them pretty good and all of them inappropriate.”
Originally from Regina and raised in Porcupine Plain, SK, Dutchyshen started sportscasting at STV Saskatoon, and then IMTV in Dauphin, MB. From there, he spent seven years as the host of ITV’s Sports Night in Edmonton. “Dutchy,” as he was known by his colleagues, had been with TSN since 1995, starting as host of the weekend editions of SportsDesk and CFL Live. He went on to host Sportscentre for three decades, often the late-night edition alongside Rod Smith and later Jennifer Hedger. He took Sportscentre on the road as part of the “Kraft Celebration Tour,” in addition to co-hosting boxing show In This Corner with trainer Russ Anber, and hosting Olympic Prime Time during the London 2012 and Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games.
“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, Senior Vice President, Sales & Sports, Bell Media. “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.”
Sportscentre will air a tribute tonight at 6 p.m. ET.
In an announcement to viewers Thursday morning, James Duthie called Dutchyshen “in many ways the heartbeat of TSN.”
“No one loved his job more, no one was more passionate about bringing you highlights every night,” said Duthie. “A giant. Massive in stature, in personality, in humour, in heart.”
You can watch that announcement at TSN.ca.
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