One of the longest, most successful, and highly controversial careers in Canadian sports broadcasting is now sadly and officially over. Earlier today, CBC and Sportsnet, the networks that carry Hockey Night In Canada every Saturday night, announced what hockey fans in Canada had long anticipated but never imagined would come true. Don Cherry, the legendary co-host of "Coach's Corner" was fired over some controversial comments that he made on Saturday's broadcast, which apparently offended the wrong people. The next night, during Sportsnet's "Hometown Hockey" telecast, his long-time co-host Ron McLean publicly apologized to the viewers on behalf of Cherry. Here are the details on that firing on what for me personally has been a very sad day after I heard the news:

Toronto Sun - Monday Nov. 11, 2019 - Don Cherry Fired... (https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/warmington-don-cherry-fired-over-controversial-poppy-comment)


Sportsnet has not announced what will happen during next Saturday's game during the first intermission but you can bet that it won't be worth watching and it can never be the same again. Cherry was a hero for me and millions of hockey fans, even those who often disagreed with his views but still respected him for his candor and honesty. (For US fans reading this, think of Cherry as like another John Madden, but with better clothes!) I wish him good luck with whatever he decides to do and wherever he goes. I will miss him dearly!

The Best Of Don Cherry - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIfmXza7-kc)