Major hockey news breaks on Monday afternoon involving legendary coach turned broadcaster Don Cherry.
On Saturday Night, Cherry said the following statement on ‘Coaches Corner’ which has become a legendary segment during hockey night over the last several decades.
The statement Cherry made deal with not seeing poppies on the coats of people in Toronto and Mississauga. For those needing clarification – the remark appeared to single out new immigrants in the Toronto for not showing deference for the Canadian armed forces by wearing the poppies.
“You people … you love our way of life, you love our milk and honey, at least you can pay a couple bucks for a poppy or something like that,” Cherry said on Saturday night. “These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada, these guys paid the biggest price.”
Now, SportsNet has announced they are letting Cherry go. For instance, take a look at the following tweet from their official twitter account.
Sportsnet has cut ties with Hockey Night in Canada broadcaster Don Cherry. Sportsnet says in a statement it is the right time for Cherry to immediately step down. More to come.
— CBC News Alerts (@CBCAlerts) November 11, 2019
Furthermore, Bob McKenzie is one of Hockey’s biggest reporters. He has a statement that Rogers SportsNet released regarding the firing of Cherry from the network.
Official announcement that Don Cherry’s time with Hockey Night in Canada has come to an end: https://t.co/6RW3co0zT3
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) November 11, 2019
Here is how the statement from Rogers SportsNet reads:
“Sports brings people together – it unites us, not divides us,” the statement read. “Following further discussions with Don Cherry after Saturday Night’s broadcast, it has been decided it is the right time for him to immediately step down. During the broadcast, he made divisive remarks that do not represent our values or what we stand for. Don is synonymous with hockey and has played an integral role in growing the game over the past 40 years. We would like to thank Don for his contributions to hockey and sports broadcasting in Canada.”
Obviously, if you know the game of hockey especially in Canada; Cherry is a legend. He had a remarkable run with the Boston Bruins as a head coach, even without ever winning a Stanley Cup. Since that time, he’s been in the broadcast booth late into the night talking hockey after the biggest marquee match-up of the week takes place on Hockey Night.
Ask someone who you know who loves hockey – especially in Canada – what Don Cherry means to the sport. They will likely be able explain his prominence. Now, that is discontinued.
We will update this story as more emerges.
