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CBC Not In 'Coach's Corner' Over Don Cherry's Rant About Those Opposing Violence In Hockey

Don Cherry

First Posted: 10/08/11 02:33 PM ET Updated: 10/09/11 11:52 AM ET

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TORONTO - Other than using some colourful language, Don Cherry has no regrets about his recent rant on fighting in hockey.

Speaking on his popular "Coach's Corner" segment on CBC's "Hockey Night in Canada" broadcast Saturday, the outspoken hockey personality said he's not going to stop talking about fighting.

But Cherry did step back from some of the vitriol he hurled at three former NHL tough guys on Thursday.

"Maybe one (regret), with the 'puke' stuff with the kids listening and that," he said during the first intermission of the game between the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs.

"That's rude, and I shouldn't say it."

On Thursday's edition of "Coach's Corner," the first of the season, Cherry called former enforcers Stu Grimson, Chris Nilan and Jim Thomson "pukes" and "hypocrites" for speaking out against fighting in the sport.

Cherry was criticized for his outburst, and the CBC issued a statement Saturday saying it does not agree with the views he expressed.

Undeterred, Cherry said of fighting in hockey: "It's a tough sport, fans like it, I still like it."

Kirstine Stewart, the CBC's executive vice-president of English services, said Cherry's comments reflect his own personal opinion.

"While we support his right to voice that opinion, we do not share his position," Stewart said in the statement.

"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."

Stewart said she spoke Friday with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and delivered a similar message.

Cherry's rant suggested Grimson, Nilan and Thomson said NHL players who fight are prone to substance abuse. Their comments stemmed from the deaths of Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien and Wade Belak earlier this year.

Cherry called them "turncoats" and "hypocrites," accusing them of not wanting players to make the same living they did.

He also accused those who want to end violence in the sport of taking advantage of the three deaths to score points against fighting.

More of Cherry's controversial moments:
Cherry And French-Canadians
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Don Cherry has always been outspoken about the role of French-Canadians in the country, and the 1998 Olympics proved no different. When French-Canadian freestyle skier Jean-Luc Brassard was chosen as Canada's flag-bearer, Cherry referred to him as "a French guy, some skier nobody knows about." Predictably, French-Canadian politicians have often complained about Cherry's comments.
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TORONTO - Other than using some colourful language, Don Cherry has no regrets about his recent rant on fighting in hockey.Speaking on his popular "Coach's Corner" segment on CBC's "Hockey Night in Can...
TORONTO - Other than using some colourful language, Don Cherry has no regrets about his recent rant on fighting in hockey.Speaking on his popular "Coach's Corner" segment on CBC's "Hockey Night in Can...
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Peter Worthington

Peter Worthington: Don Cherry and Hockey Fights Are Just Part of the Game

It's pretty hard to justify head shots, or anything that might damage the brain. But don't confuse concussions, head shots, or cheap shots with fighting. It could be argued that few things are less dangerous than a hockey fight. The crowd loves it, and little harm is done.

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wittylikeyerface
1 Fans
11:55 AM on 10/15/2011
I'm baffled that everyone is lunging down Cherry's throat over his comments. I've played hockey, and my community is huge on the game, and violence is NOT avoidable (sorry concerned parents, but if you want to avoid little Jimmy getting into a scuffle, sign him up for tennis). You have a group of rowdy young men chasing a puck up and down a rink, shouting insults at each other, getting riled up, with so much adrenaline pounding that they really aren't thinking straight at all... if you wanted to remove the violence from the game, you would have to remove all contact and take away the prize/glory/pride that these men honestly believe to be on the line every time they play. It's just common sense.

And may I ask why no one here is raising a red flag on Football or Rugby? Both of those result in many more concussions than hockey, if I've done my research properly. Especially football. I've been playing contact hockey since I was a kid, but I'd never be stupid enough to try my hand at football. Now THAT'S a dangerous sport.
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PatBB
20 Fans
10:02 AM on 10/10/2011
He should have been put out to pasture long ago.

A bigot, but impeccably dressed!
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waldopepper
I'd tell you all about me if you were my friend.
897 Fans
06:04 AM on 10/10/2011
The views of an out of touch dinosaur. Embarrassing.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Miller Time
63 Fans
10:49 PM on 10/09/2011
Who the heck is Kristine Stewart. She is not the CBC. We, the taxpayers, are the CBC. She is merely one of OUR employees. She has no right to speak for you and me.
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2xx2
Likes common sense and being a silly goose
106 Fans
04:30 PM on 10/09/2011
It's part of the game. If you don't like it, don't push your kids into hockey.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
cwebster
predominantly exasperated
1220 Fans
06:54 PM on 10/09/2011
Nonsense. It is an unnecessary part of the game, and can easily be removed.
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waldopepper
I'd tell you all about me if you were my friend.
897 Fans
06:02 AM on 10/10/2011
When your kid suffers a concussion or worse you will change your mind. But then it will be too late. Then you will know the meaning of regret. And all for what?
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Monster Mash
92 Fans
03:30 PM on 10/09/2011
I don't think fighting needs to be in the game. It seems pointless, to be honest.
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Maureen Reno
1 Fans
03:21 PM on 10/09/2011
For some reason Don Cherry has been allowed to attacked French Canadians. How come the CBC lets him do that - If he would denigrate arabs or jews he would get in trouble isn't? Why can he do that?
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PatBB
20 Fans
10:05 AM on 10/10/2011
It's always been open season on Frogs.
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Maureen Reno
1 Fans
02:25 PM on 10/18/2011
It shouldn't be like that - a lot of my Friends are from Quebec and they are great...We should not let this Open season on Frogs go on and we should boycott Don Cherry when he does denigrate them and complain openly..... it is Canada after all.
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Rubyredman
347 Fans
12:53 PM on 10/09/2011
Don Cherry - Canada's answer to big, fat Americans. Hey nice collar Don your dog must be proud- now change the water in your wife's bowl....
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ljkcan
I don't let geographical borders limit my thinking
1660 Fans
02:44 PM on 10/09/2011
If Canadians were judged on Don Cherry alone the world would think we are brash , acerbic and dress in bad attire. I much prefer to think of him as the guy at the bar from morning till night at an all inclusive holiday dressed in a loud shirt.
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wittylikeyerface
1 Fans
11:49 AM on 10/15/2011
Oi, insult his personality to your heart's delight, but don't deny the man has a smashing fashion sense.
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Mllefuchs
46 Fans
12:17 PM on 10/09/2011
First punch, five thousand dollar fine, five minute penalty. Second punch, ten thousand, ten minute misconduct - drop the gloves, forfeit the game and twenty thousand. That will give you
some real excitement and put fighting where it belongs - on the sidelines of our brilliant game.
For kids, no fighting, period. Focus on skating, stick handling.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
cwebster
predominantly exasperated
1220 Fans
06:55 PM on 10/09/2011
...and if you give someone a concussion, you should be banned from playing until they can resume play. If they're out for a year, so are you.
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PatBB
20 Fans
10:06 AM on 10/10/2011
Make it as boring as soccer and the mom's will be happy.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
cwebster
predominantly exasperated
1220 Fans
07:52 PM on 10/11/2011
Oi, soccer/football is NOT boring.
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AC Fraser
bend before you break
218 Fans
 
11:29 AM on 10/09/2011
Cherry wasn't necessarily saying fighting, per se, is okay. He was taking issue with players who USED to be fighters now saying that they would like to see fighting banned.

Fighting doesn't "need" to be part of the game, but it has been historically. One thing is certain, the NHL need to take a closer look as to whether or not fighting has long-term detrimental effects on the health of players and may have contributed to the deaths of the three players known for fighting who died. Are drugs/alcohol addiction a result of fighting? Or is it the other way around?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
cwebster
predominantly exasperated
1220 Fans
06:55 PM on 10/09/2011
Please do not defend this twit.
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ZalaK
52 Fans
08:03 PM on 10/09/2011
While fighting has been a part of hockey historically, I think it remains entrenched as long as anyone profits from it. The game has changed. Who else knows better what the effects are other than players who have recently experienced years of hitting? Good for them for speaking out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bVQS5c4udg&feature=related
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AC Fraser
bend before you break
218 Fans
 
08:59 PM on 10/09/2011
Fighting will remain in the game until someone has to PAY for it via a lawsuit.
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AC Fraser
bend before you break
218 Fans
 
09:01 PM on 10/09/2011
Or until players and teams are fined per hit.
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piceaglauca
The picture says it all....
295 Fans
 
10:47 AM on 10/09/2011
If CBC wanted their ratings to soar they certainly got that. Not sure if the Howard Stern type approach is the best way to go but I do give him credit for bringing the issue of "violence in hockey" to the fore front. The NHL has spent too much time skirting this issue while modest and great hockey players are sidelined. Lets not forget the issue: violence in hockey. Too many people are focusing on Don C and not what we should be trying to address.
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Garfield from Canada
6 Fans
09:35 AM on 10/09/2011
Don Cherry is a fossil, a relic from the past that should be storied away in some out of the way museum and brought out every once in a while to demonstrate to our youth in sports what happens when bigoted bullies are allowed a pulpit. He is a disgrace in general, an embarrassment to the CBC and an insult to the intelligence of all Canadians. Simply put, be free of him.
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piceaglauca
The picture says it all....
295 Fans
 
10:49 AM on 10/09/2011
You too have missed the issue.
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timberdoodle
1336 Fans
09:20 AM on 10/09/2011
Fact: Sports commentators, reporters and analysists all need something to talk about to justify their existence and their jobs.

Fact: None of the above really gives a tinker's damn about any of the NHL players or any other sports figures other than them being a meal ticket for themselves.

Fact: If you play hockey you are going to get hurt and that even applies to those who play in no hitting and no slap shot type leagues.

Fact: If you don't like watching or playing contact sports there are plenty of other sports to play and watch where injuries will seldom occur other than maybe a strained muscle etc.
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piceaglauca
The picture says it all....
295 Fans
 
10:49 AM on 10/09/2011
You are dead on.
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neuphoria
121 Fans
08:39 AM on 10/09/2011
Nothing worse than a bully with a pulpit.

No other major sport tolerates fighting, and there is still aggressive play. The game changes as our society gets 'wiser'... the players wear helmets now, for example. Fighting allowed in the NHL promotes kids being taught how to hockey-fight at age 9. Does DC advocate that?
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timberdoodle
1336 Fans
09:22 AM on 10/09/2011
If you are worried about what kids will learn from hockey don't let them watch any games and just let them play some of those killer video games to amuse them.
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