Don Cherry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Don Cherry |
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Cherry in 2010
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| Born | February 5, 1934 Kingston, Ontario, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Boston Bruins | ||
| Coached for | Boston Bruins Colorado Rockies |
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| Playing career | 1954–1972 | ||
| Coaching career | 1971–1980 | ||
Donald Stewart Cherry (born February 5, 1934) is a famous Canadian former ice hockey player, coach, and television commentator. He is often called Grapes. He played just one game in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Boston Bruins. Later, he coached the Bruins for five seasons. He led them to win their division four times and reach the Stanley Cup Finals twice.
From 1986 to 2019, Cherry was a co-host of Coach's Corner. This was a popular part of CBC's Saturday-night NHL show, Hockey Night in Canada. He hosted it with Ron MacLean. Don Cherry was known for speaking his mind and for his very colourful clothes. He also created and starred in the video series Don Cherry's Rock'Em Sock'em Hockey.
In 2004, people voted Don Cherry the seventh-greatest Canadian ever in a CBC TV show. His life was even made into two CBC movies. Cherry sometimes shared strong opinions that caused debate. In November 2019, he was let go from Hockey Night in Canada after making comments about Canadian immigrants.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Don Cherry was born in Kingston, Ontario. His parents were Delmar and Maude Cherry. His family had interesting roots. His grandfather was one of the first members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Another grandfather came to Canada as a child from England. Don's father, Del, was an athlete and worked as an electrician. Don also has a younger brother, Dick Cherry, who played hockey.
When Don played for the Hershey Bears hockey team, he met Rosemarie (Rose) Martini. She became his wife. Rose was very important in Don's life. Because Don played minor-league hockey, they moved 53 times! They often lived in simple homes. Don was also away playing during big family moments, like the birth of their daughter, Cindy. Six years later, their son Tim was born. When Tim needed a kidney transplant at age 13, Cindy bravely donated one of hers.
Rose died in 1997. To honour her, Don started Rose Cherry's Home for Kids. This home helps children and is now called The Darling Home for Kids. Don always wears a rose on his jacket to remember her. A street in Mississauga is also named Rose Cherry Place.
Playing Career
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Don Cherry played junior hockey in Ontario. He won the Memorial Cup in 1953 with the Barrie Flyers. In 1954, he joined the American Hockey League's (AHL) Hershey Bears.
Cherry played many years in professional minor hockey. In 1955, he played his only NHL game for the Boston Bruins during the playoffs. He retired as a player in 1970. He later played 19 more games with the Rochester Americans in 1972. Cherry won the Calder Cup (AHL championship) four times with different teams. He also won the Lester Patrick Cup with the Vancouver Canucks.
Coaching Career
After his playing career, Don Cherry worked different jobs, like a car salesman and a house painter. In 1971, he became the coach of the Rochester Americans in the AHL. He was so good that he was named the league's Coach of the Year.
Boston Bruins
In 1974, Cherry became the head coach of the Boston Bruins in the NHL. The Bruins were a strong team, but some star players left. Cherry became known for being a unique coach. He encouraged his players to play a very physical style of hockey. He even said he based the team's style on his feisty dog, Blue!
Cherry built a team known as the "lunch-pail gang" or "the Big Bad Bruins." They were tough and worked hard. This made the Bruins one of the best teams in the late 1970s. They won their division four years in a row. Cherry won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's Coach of the Year in 1975.
The Bruins reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice under Cherry. Both times, they lost to their rivals, the Montreal Canadiens. In 1979, in a big playoff game against the Canadiens, the Bruins had too many players on the ice. This led to a penalty, and the Canadiens scored to tie the game. Montreal then won in overtime. Cherry blamed himself for the penalty. After this, the Bruins let him go.
Colorado Rockies
Cherry then coached the Colorado Rockies in the 1979-80 season. The team even had a motto: "Come to the fights and watch a Rockies game break out!" Cherry tried to motivate the players. However, the team struggled, and Cherry often disagreed with the general manager. The Rockies finished with a poor record, and Cherry was fired after one season.
Other Coaching Roles
Cherry also coached Team Canada in international tournaments. He was also involved with the Mississauga IceDogs junior hockey team as a part-owner and coach for a short time.
Broadcasting Career
After his coaching career, Don Cherry joined CBC as a TV analyst. He soon became famous for Coach's Corner. This segment aired during the first break of Hockey Night in Canada. In 1986, Ron MacLean became his co-host. They worked together for 33 seasons.
Cherry also hosted a radio show called Don Cherry's Grapeline. It was heard across Canada and in the United States. He also released a popular series of videos called Don Cherry's Rock'Em Sock'em Hockey, starting in 1989. These videos showed exciting hockey highlights, especially big hits and fights.
Cherry's comments sometimes caused controversy. In 2004, he made remarks about players who wore visors. This led to an investigation, and CBC started a short delay on Hockey Night in Canada broadcasts.
Don Cherry was known for his unique style. He wore very colourful jackets, shirts, and ties on Coach's Corner. He also had many famous sayings, like "All you kids out there..." He showed great affection for his favourite players.
Leaving Hockey Night in Canada
On November 9, 2019, during Coach's Corner, Don Cherry made comments about people not wearing remembrance poppies. He said, "You people that come here... you love our way of life... at least you can pay a couple bucks for a poppy or something like that... These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada."
These comments caused a lot of upset. Many people said they were hurtful. The organization that sells poppies, The Royal Canadian Legion, said they did not agree with his statements. Sportsnet, the network, apologized for the remarks. Ron MacLean, his co-host, also apologized.
Two days later, on November 11, Sportsnet announced that Don Cherry had been fired. Cherry later said he would not apologize for his comments. He believed everyone in Canada should wear a poppy to honour soldiers. He said if he had to watch everything he said, it wouldn't be Coach's Corner.
Ron MacLean later announced that Coach's Corner would no longer be on the air. Some hockey players and coaches supported Cherry, while others did not.
Later Career
After leaving Hockey Night in Canada, Don Cherry started a new version of his Grapevine show as a podcast.
Other Ventures
Acting Career
Don Cherry has also appeared in some TV shows and movies. He was in the TV series Power Play. He also lent his voice to animated shows like Zeroman and Mickey Mouse. He even appeared in an episode of Goosebumps.
Business and Charity Work
In 1985, the first "Don Cherry's Sports Grill" restaurant opened. There are now many locations across Canada. Cherry also created the Don Cherry Pet Rescue Foundation. He donates money from his pet snack line to animal charities. He is a big supporter of animal welfare.
Opinions on Hockey
Don Cherry often shared strong opinions about how hockey should be played. He believed that fighting was an important part of the game. He thought it helped players respect each other. He also felt it was popular with fans.
He often praised Bobby Orr, calling him the greatest player ever. He also liked players like Doug Gilmour and Cam Neely. Cherry sometimes criticized players he felt were not playing the "right" way. He also disliked fancy celebrations after goals. For example, he criticized Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin for their goal celebrations.
In 2019, he called the Carolina Hurricanes a "bunch of jerks" for their on-ice victory celebrations. The Hurricanes actually adopted "Bunch of Jerks" as their team motto!
Cherry is a strong supporter of women's hockey and sledge hockey. He has spoken out in favour of women's hockey since the 1980s.
Political Views
Don Cherry sometimes shared his political views on television. In 2003, he supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He criticized the Canadian government for not supporting the U.S. in the war.
He also supported former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. In 2010, he spoke at a meeting for Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. Cherry made some controversial comments about "left-wing pinko newspapers." He later said, "You don't invite a pit bull. If you want a pit bull, you get a pit bull."
Cherry is a very strong supporter of the Canadian military, police officers, and veterans.
In 2018, Cherry made comments that seemed to deny climate change. He called people who believe in climate change "cuckaloos." The Environment Minister responded by saying that for climate change, Canadians should listen to scientists.
Awards and Honours
Don Cherry has received many honours. In 2005, he became an honorary member of the Police Association of Ontario. In 2007, he became an honorary life member of the Royal Canadian Legion. This was for his support of Canadians in uniform. In 2008, he received the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service. This award recognized his support for the Canadian Forces.
In 2004, Don Cherry was ranked number 7 on the CBC's show The Greatest Canadian. In 2016, he and Ron MacLean received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.
Images for kids
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Cherry in 2010
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Cherry was inducted into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame in 2019.
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Cherry with Ron MacLean at the 2002 Winter Olympics. The two were partnered on Coach's Corner from 1986 to 2019.
