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Don Cherry Softens Stance On Calling Ex-Enforcers 'Pukes', Won't Stop Talking About Hockey Violence

Don Cherry

First Posted: 10/09/11 07:52 AM 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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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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tan2123
+ sec 2 123°
331 Fans
09:21 AM on 11/08/2011
He should have to go out on the ice with these guys to prove head injuries are not as big of a problem as all these 'pinko' specialists- that have spent their lives researching it...-say it is.
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Aramaki
1386 Fans
02:57 AM on 11/08/2011
>>>>"Speaking on his popular "Coach's Corner" segment on CBC's "Hockey Night in Canada" broadcast..."

Just the fact that his "Coach's Corner" segment is popular is even more disturbing than any of the reprehensible things he says.
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Jake Thomas
elastic
328 Fans
 
09:44 PM on 10/14/2011
I often wonder hearing his bigoted opinions on-air what he is like within his inner circle. He disturbs me with his divisive language and his "un-Canadian" attitude.
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Aramaki
1386 Fans
02:54 AM on 11/08/2011
Imagine, if that's what he says on air in front of an audience of millions, just think of what he says behind closed doors
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tan2123
+ sec 2 123°
331 Fans
09:25 AM on 11/08/2011
he's a pig alright. When I was 14, he offered me a ride home in his Cadillac. Just before approaching my parents home, he asked me to touch him down there (I held tight to the door lock to keep it open, ready to jump - told him my parents watch out of the windows for me).
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
elatas
50% French and 50% Italian mix
336 Fans
 
06:23 PM on 10/13/2011
No wonder he loves violence. He makes a lot of money out of his Rock.em Sock'em DVDs showcasing the most violence that hockey can offer and that is over and above his indecent $700,000 salary.
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Jeff Alsey
9 Fans
 
03:13 PM on 10/13/2011
Please read and sign this petition to get Don Cherry off the CBC..and tell your friends!

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/cherry-must-leave-the-cbc.html
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Gyice50
131 Fans
03:04 PM on 10/10/2011
In Canada we have few enough individuals, everyone is supposed to drink the same koolaid and always speak and act in the so called mannered Canadian way. I don't really think that one indvidual with slightly independent views on just about everything is really going to currupt the minds of Canadians, we just aren't that weak minded so let Don have his day, soon enough he will be gone and hockey can enter the era of placebo color commentators who have to be told what game they are actually commenting on.
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Terry Halifax
12 Fans
10:38 AM on 10/10/2011
Interesting to see the mindless hate speech coming from the pacifists and the so-called "tolerant left." Perhaps if you had the guts to use your real names, you wouldn't be so prone to such language?
I find it interesting that there is hue and cry to remove the violence from hockey, while the popularity for the barbarism in mixed martial arts grows faster than any other "sport." Perhaps you pacifists can channel your hate in that direction and leave Canada's game alone? Just a thought.
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thediamond0000
as above, so below.
38 Fans
01:45 AM on 10/10/2011
funny a conservative would make his living from a socialist company such as the CBC.

as a long time hockey player, he is an idiot and has not been relevant in ages. he was a bad player and worse coach. with all the flamboyant suits you'd think he might be trying to say something...
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imajoebob
197 Fans
01:03 AM on 10/10/2011
The irony of Cherry calling anyone "pukes" is obviously lost on him.
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Richard Blais
12 Fans
11:27 PM on 10/09/2011
i hate hockey
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
opprobrious
More speech. Less Flagging.
923 Fans
10:20 AM on 10/10/2011
...and you think anyone cares because?
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SilvertipGrizz
14 Fans
 
09:10 PM on 10/09/2011
Time for Mr. Cherry to join the scrap heap of broadcasting; he and Hank Williams Jr. can take up cribbage; I'm sure they'd enjoy each other's company. The only real CBC budgetary cut I'd fully endorse is the cancellation of Grapes contract; do the right thing .....
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Avsolute
7 Fans
09:05 PM on 10/09/2011
Cherry has always been pro-warrio­r, never pro-war. The least you could do is stick to facts in your attempt to vilify the man.
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Maureen Reno
1 Fans
05:05 PM on 10/09/2011
Enough of Don Cherry stupid comments promoting violence.... the CBC has to fire him. Enough of this macho guy with old ideas... it does not serve anything to the contrary.

The NHL has to change this aspect of our game and we have to start by removing those voices that promote fighting in hockey. It is our game and it is not what people want anymore.
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Lise Francoeur
1 Fans
04:57 PM on 10/09/2011
The National is having a serie of documentaries about head injuries how can they keep Cherry - who is promoting violence in hockey and glorifies it ---- The CBC should have the courage to let him go.

Hockey is a SPORT and cheap shot to hurt the other team and fighting should not be allowed at all. IT CHEAPENS our GAME.
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CommonWealth-SinglePayer
Walk on the Right, VOTE on the LEFT
171 Fans
03:43 PM on 10/09/2011
Cherry was venting his rage against Hudak not getting elected as a Mike Harris clone, so he took his disappointment of that and played the tough guy card and therefore more children will be injured by his thoughts, bullies need encouragement too. What was that about Ford Nation?
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