Tanbir from Surrey and co-hosts bring Canucks call-in debates to new radio show

Tanbir Rana grew up listening to sports talk radio. Now he hosts a show focused on his favourite NHL team. Known on social media as the Canucks-loving “Tanbir from Surrey,” he is one of the voices on Off the Rush, a new late-night call-in show on 107.7 Pulse FM. The program launched Sept. 28, aiming to fill a gap in the local radio market with discussion of the biggest NHL stories, teams, players and moments drawing attention. Its pitch promises no corporate spin or boring analysis, but hockey talk, strong opinions and debate.

Rana and Brian Rai co-host the show, with Karan “KD” Dhindsa as producer. It airs Monday to Friday from 10 p.m. to midnight. Rana said he used to call radio stations, which is why he became “Tanbir from Surrey” on Twitter. He grew up in Fleetwood and now lives in the Cloverdale area. His X handle is TanbirRana94; 1994 is his birth year, he said, not a reference to one of the Canucks’ great playoff runs.

Rana said he has followed the Canucks since the West Coast Express era in 2002, when they were playing the Detroit Red Wings. The team is now rebuilding with a young roster. Rana’s podcasting and social media posts have grown into Off the Rush five nights a week, while he continues to work days as the owner-operator of a bin rental company.

Rana said he began contacting radio stations this summer after hearing that Sportsnet 650 had gone down, while he was planning a podcast. The show was later rebranded under a new name. He said it has been going well, especially after games, with plenty of callers and interaction so far. He added that it has been fun to see the Canucks play as they have and have callers to discuss it.

Years ago, Rana listened to sports radio pioneer Dan Russell and other call-in shows after Canucks games. He recalled having a small stereo in his bedroom as a child and tuning in to 1040, the AM station, every night before bed. He enjoyed the experience and the conversations; as a Canucks fan, there was always something to talk about.

Rana said years on social media taught him to expect the kinds of interactions that can come with the business and with Canucks fans. He said comments no longer bother him and he welcomes pointed criticism. If it is about hockey, he said, he has no problem with someone calling him a buffoon for his take; personal attacks are different.