Last week Don Cherry’s polarizing nature turned offensive, leading Sportsnet to part ways with the analyst, while ending their Coach’s Corner segment on Hockey Night in Canada. A week later, the 85-year old Cherry announced he’s returning to the airwaves with a podcast, titled Grapevine.
Cherry told Joe Warmington of the Toronto Sun, he will address his firing from Sportsnet during the podcast’s first episode, among other topics.
“That’s not all we talked about,” Cherry said. “We are talking hockey, of course. It’s going to be terrific. In this one, I am talking about The Rocket (Montreal Canadiens Hall of Famer Maurice Richard), one of the all-time greats.”
During his final appearance on Sportsnet’s Hockey Night in Canada, Cherry alleged immigrants don’t show enough support for the military, based on a lack of people wearing poppies in public.
Every year in Canada, from the last Friday in October, leading up to Remembrance Day on Nov. 11, poppies are sold to be worn as pins. Remembrance Day honors the sacrifices made by Canada’s military and the poppies are sold to raise money for veterans.
“You people that come here, whatever it is, 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 during his Coach’s Corner segment on Hockey Night in Canada. “These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada, these guys paid the biggest price.”
While Cherry will address his comments on the podcast, don’t expect the former NHL head coach to be apologetic. “I know what I said and I meant it. Still do. Everybody in Canada should wear a poppy to honor our fallen soldiers,” Cherry told The Canadian Press last week.
Grapevine debuted Tuesday, Nov. 19, with plans of releasing new episodes every Monday. Cherry is joined by his son Tim and grandson Del for his podcast venture.
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here