Sportsnet 650 cuts staff, including veteran Rick Dhaliwal, and shuffles host lineup
Patrick Johnston
Published:October 15, 2019 Updated: October 15, 2019 5:06 PM PDT
The Canucks' radio rights-holder cut on- and off-air staff Tuesday.
Sportsnet 650, the radio home of the Vancouver Canucks, cut four staff members Tuesday and then announced that they’re rejigging their lineup of hosts
Rick Dhaliwal, an industry veteran known for landing news scoops through his deep connections across the world of hockey and football, confirmed he is among the people being let go.
Dhaliwal isn’t the only on-air personality who is out: Jawn Jang, who co-hosted the mid-morning show alongside Satiar Shah, confirmed to Postmedia News that he has been let go.
“I’m simply grateful,” Jang said of his time at 650. “Grateful for the opportunity to have worked a dream job, meet incredible people and connect with so many great listeners. Thanks for listening and see you soon.”
Two production-side staffers were also let go, including afternoon show producer Cam Mitchell, who has worked in local sports radio for many years and also works on the production side of Sportsnet’s TV broadcasts, and morning drive-time producer Kellan Tochkin, who was once a Canucks prospect but who moved into the world of radio last year.
A spokesperson for Sportsnet didn’t answer questions about what motivated the layoffs, or why these four in particular were being let go, but did confirm the new hosting lineup, which rolls out next Monday: afternoon drive-time host Scott Rintoul will move to the mid-morning slot, taking over for Shah and Jang. The new program, which will run from 9 a.m. to noon, will be called the Scott Rintoul Show.
Rintoul will take over hosting duties for the lunchtime Canucks Central at Noon program. Bik Nizzar is joining him as co-host.
Shah is taking over Rintoul’s chair on the afternoon drive-time show with Andrew Walker, still called The Program.
The hosts for the morning drive-time show, the Starting Lineup, will continue to be James Cybulski and Perry Solkowski, while the mid-afternoon show Reach Deep also retains hosts Dan Riccio and Randip Janda.
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