Darren Dutchyshen, a beloved television sports anchor with Canada’s The Sports Network, passed away at the age of 57. According to a statement from the Dutchyshen family, he was surrounded by his loved ones and maintained his sharp wit until his final moments, delivering jokes that were both humorous and inappropriate.
Dutchyshen had been the host of TSN’s Sportscentre show since 1995, but the network did not immediately disclose the cause or location of his death. He announced in 2021 on social media that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, which led to a significant reduction in his on-air responsibilities at TSN.
Stewart Johnston, senior vice president of sales and sports at Bell Media, TSN’s parent company, described Dutchyshen as a legend in Canadian sports broadcasting and an essential part of the network for three decades. He praised Dutchyshen for his humor, energy, and ability to connect with viewers, adding that he was a friend to everyone at TSN who will be deeply missed.
Dutchyshen started his career at TSN hosting weekend editions of SportsDesk and CFL Live before becoming a mainstay on the Sportscentre desk for nearly 30 years. He also hosted Olympic Prime Time coverage during the 2010 Vancouver Games and 2012 London Games. Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, and raised in Porcupine Plain, Dutchyshen began his broadcasting career with STV in Saskatoon and later worked at IMTV in Dauphin, Manitoba, and ITV’s Sports Night in Edmonton.
TSN is planning a television tribute to honor Dutchyshen on Thursday evening.