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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Sports Desk • Hockey

Don Cherry

Don Cherry is a Canadian former ice hockey player, coach, and television commentator best known for his long tenure on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, especially the Coach’s Corner segment.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Don Cherry is a Canadian former hockey player, coach, and commentator known for his long tenure on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada. He became a polarizing figure in Canadian sports media.

What it is

Don Cherry, born in Kingston, Ontario in 1934, played one NHL game with the Boston Bruins before coaching the Bruins and Colorado Rockies. He later became a household name as co-host of Coach's Corner on Hockey Night in Canada, known for his loud suits and blunt opinions.

Why it matters

Cherry shaped Canadian hockey culture for decades, blending patriotism, working-class values, and on-air charisma. His firing in 2019 after controversial comments about immigrants and Remembrance Day poppies sparked debate about free speech and media values in Canada.

Key details

Nicknamed "Grapes", Cherry's broadcasting career ended in 2019 when Sportsnet called his remarks divisive. He remains alive as of 2026. His career and controversies are a notable chapter in modern Canadian media history.

In short

  • Played only one NHL game with the Boston Bruins.
  • Coached in the NHL and later became a CBC commentator on Coach's Corner.
  • Fired in 2019 for on-air remarks about immigrants and poppies.
  • Still alive as of 2026.
Canadian angle

Cherry is a major figure in Canadian hockey culture and Canadian sports broadcasting, with decades of visibility on CBC and Sportsnet. His career and controversies are part of modern Canadian media history.

Quick questions

Who is Don Cherry?
Don Cherry is a Canadian former hockey player, coach, and commentator best known for Hockey Night in Canada and Coach's Corner.
Why was Don Cherry fired?
He was fired in 2019 after making controversial on-air remarks about immigrants and Remembrance Day poppies during Hockey Night in Canada.
Is Don Cherry still alive?
Yes, Don Cherry is alive as of 2026.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Cherry
    Supports: Birth date, full name, occupation, NHL game played, general biography
  2. CBC — https://www.cbc.ca/programguide/personality/don_cherry
    Supports: Canadian broadcaster profile and Kingston, Ontario birthplace
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0156067/bio/
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, commentary and coaching biography
  4. AHL Hall of Fame — https://ahlhalloffame.com/don-cherry
    Supports: Coaching background and later CBC career
  5. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50241256
    Supports: 2019 firing and nature of the controversial comments
  6. Canadian Communications Foundation — https://broadcasting-history.ca/personalities/cherry-don/
    Supports: Background, Coach’s Corner, firing details and comment summary
  7. Global News — https://globalnews.ca/news/6155944/don-cherry-hockey-night-let-go/
    Supports: Biography, birth place, and explanation of the firing
  8. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/espn/eticket/story?page=doncherry
    Supports: Coaching history and prominence in Canadian hockey media