Don Cherry: Time to go?

[hugh]

CBC has a message for those offended by Don Cherry referring to former players (who drew a connection between getting punched in the head and the depression and/or addiction that resulted) as “pukes,” “hypocrites” and “turncoats.” You don’t understand the Great Man’s subtle sense of humour.

Quite the newsmaker that Don Cherry, should the CBC get rid of him?

[painter]

I'm a big hockey fan and use to be a big Don Cherry fan also,but now I can barely watch him anymore. IMO it's time to move on.

[cooper83]

Absolutely. I've always defended him through past controversies, but I now realize that he will never change. The game is evolving - it always has, but he's stuck in the past. We need more guys like Shanahan who respect the game but realize changes must be made in order for the sport and its best players to enjoy a full career, as well as life after hockey.

While he's always been a great ambassador of hockey, he is now completely irrelevant and is doing harm to the sport. Get rid of him ASAP.

[talljak]

Please, skate off into the sunset. CBC turn the show into something informative instead of ranting and raving. I'm sure Ron Maclean has a few things he could say about hockey.

[KWH_84]

A lot of what Don Cherry says is basically just the same stuff regurgitated over and over throughout the season with different examples. How to block shots, rants on why there should be no-touch icing, why Bobby Orr was the best player ever, fighting clips, and tributes to the armed forces and police...

Basically what I'm trying to get at is that Coach's Corner just rehashes the same stuff most of the time. And as evidenced during Thursday's edition of Coach's Corner, the game has passed Cherry by and his commentary is irrelevant these days. I'd say it's time that they pull the plug on his segment.

[DSgamby]

Yes but only if Cole is gone as well.

[hugh]

My guess is the CBC is sticking with Don.

STATEMENT FROM CBC

October 8, 2011 – Kirstine Stewart, CBC’s Executive Vice-President of English Services, today issued the following statement:

“Recent comments made by Don Cherry on HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA’S Coach’s Corner regarding headshots and fighting in professional hockey have been the subject of considerable debate. I wish to clarify, in no uncertain terms, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s position on this issue.

Don’s comments reflect his own personal opinion. While we support his right to voice that opinion, we do not share his position. Player safety is a top priority for CBC, and we support the initiatives of the NHL and others in keeping players safe on and off the ice.

Yesterday, I spoke personally with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. In that conversation, as in this statement, I reiterated our shared commitment to player safety at all levels of the game.”

I wonder if Cherry compared the Prime Minister to Hitler if he would still be there

[NeilN]

It's clear that he's well past his peak with his repetitive rants and increasing number of on-air stumbles. These days, I find Kelly Hrudey more enjoyable to watch.

[Jake]

I don't understand. Are the negative comments here and in the media regarding; Cherry's opinion on fighting in hockey or his belittling of the past players? I mean he has belittled people all the time so I suspect it must be the fighting. Which surprises me. I was under the impression the majority thought "fighting was a part of the game". And according to The Star I am right.

63 per cent of Canadians who described themselves as hockey fans who truly enjoy watching the game, oppose any ban on fighting.

[gonkster]

Count me in as one who use to watch Cherry on a weekly basis(even if i wasn't watching the leaf game), but I haven't watched him in years. He has nothing new to say, just the same old stuff over and over, year in year out.

I think the game has changed significantly enough over the past decade that Cherry and his thoughts have been left behind. The late game intermission is much better with actual analysis of what the teams/players are doing or trying to do. About the only thing worth watching in Coach's Corner anymore is McLean trying to do humour.

[ScaryBob]

I never did like Don Cherry. IMHO, he belongs on Fox News or Sun News, not the CBC.

[CastleRockDays]

ugh, Don Cherry is really annoying to watch & listen to. Everytime when he's on, I change the channel straight away.

[NB Josh]

I've stopped watching too. Thank God for RDS. French isn't my first language, so I don't understand everything they say, but they make more sense than Don. I usually end up watching RDS at the first intermission on Saturdays now.

The problem is he misquoted Nilan, who never said what Don said he said. If he's going to go on a tirade like that, he should at least get his facts straight.

CBC's 10pm ET studio show with Milbury and Hrudey is much better. CBC should just cut their losses and use them during the first game too.

[Geco]

Don is living proof that too many head shots addles the brain!

[Crozier56]

I agree with the post's concerning Don Cherry’s ability to get under people’s skin by being controversial and repeating his position over and over again. What surprises me is that the ratings continue to actually jump at Hockey Night in Canada when he is on. He sure knows that being vanilla on TV does not create ratings, being someone in the news is what counts weather it is negative or positive it is self promotion.