TSN’s Darren Dutchyshen fondly remembered by Sask. colleagues

Tributes are rolling in for Saskatchewan-born sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen, who passed away on Wednesday.

TSN announced the news Thursday morning on social media. Dutchyshen, 57, had been battling prostate cancer.

Most people knew Dutchyshen, who joined TSN in 1995, as a staple of sports media in Canada. But to those close to him, he was a down-to-earth friend who made time for everyone.

Nick Wood, mayor of Porcupine Plain, said the acclaimed broadcaster meant a lot to the community.

“As a local person, to grow up here and then go on to be recognized internationally is huge. That’s the dream for everyone,” Wood said.

Wood met Dutchyshen during a Kraft Hockeyville event in 2012.

“Even though you’re living here and you know he’s from here, he’s still a big deal,” said Wood. “He’s just a very down-to-earth person who made time for everybody.”

Dutchyshen attended the Western Broadcasting Academy school in Saskatoon. His former teacher, Don Scott, said he will always remember the first time they met.

“He showed up here with a long ponytail, tattooed arms and wearing a muscle shirt,” said Scott. “What an amazing fellow. He was kind of cocky, self-assured, and just had that persona that you knew he was destined for big times.”

Scott said Dutchyshen’s first job didn’t involve sports at all.

“Darren’s first job was as a polka DJ at Dauphin Manitoba,” said Scott. “Because he had the initiative, he got himself acquainted with Dauphin television.”

One thing Scott admired about Dutchyshen is that he never grew an ego.

“As famous as he was, he never had an air of superiority,” said Scott. “He had this persona that says ‘I love what I do, I love connecting with people’.’”

Dutchyshen worked in his home province at STV Saskatoon, now better known as Global Saskatoon.

First worked with Darren at STV in the late ‘80’s, then re-connected at TSN.
Condolences to family and a LARGE group of friends and fans. https://t.co/thsSxZ6O7T

— Wray Morrison (@WrayMorrison) May 16, 2024

Former 650 CKOM sports director Wray Morrison worked alongside Dutchyshen during that time.

“He was just such a talented Saskatchewan guy that he made the move to Canada’s biggest market quickly,” said Morrison.

During their time together, Morrison said Dutchyshen was one of those guys that people would gravitate towards

“He was open and up for anything social,” said Morrison. “Whenever we had staff get-togethers he was always in on it, just a real good guy to be around.”

Morrison said one memory that sticks out to him is that when Dutchyshen first got to Toronto in the early 90’s he was assigned to work the World Hockey Championships.

“It just kind of showed not only how talented he was,” said Morrison. “But how Darren just fit in.”