Don Cherry Tweets About Team Canada's Win in the Ivan Hlinka tournament

1) Just want to give a congrats to the Team Canada Under 18 team for winning the Gold Medal . We’ve won the Ivan Hlinka tournament 7 years
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerCBC) August 22, 2014

Don Cherry tweeted this today... Last weekend, team USA lost to the Canadians in the semifinals of the  Ivan Hlinka tournament. USA would go on to win the bronze against the Swedes.

1) Just want to give a congrats to the Team Canada Under 18 team for winning the Gold Medal . We’ve won the Ivan Hlinka tournament 7 years
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerCBC) August 22, 2014

3) One is the Olympics with the NHL players playing, which we have won 3 out of last 4 Gold Medals. The other is the Ivan Hlinka tournament,
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerCBC) August 22, 2014

5) We beat the US 11-5 in the semi finals and then beat the Czech in the finals 6-2.
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerCBC) August 22, 2014

6) Great job. Like I’ve always said, we’re the best and always will be
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerCBC) August 22, 2014

Don Cherry's Ice Bucket Challenge

I've accepted @RonMacLeanCBC #ALSIceBucketChallenge Here's a link to the video http://t.co/681eaJnRer
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerCBC) August 21, 2014

I wonder I am the only one that's getting bored with these challenges? Don't get me wrong, I do find them entertaining. Obviously, it's for a good cause, of course. Seriously, just donate the money to the ALS. I do have to give Grapes credit, that's an awesome suit.

Friday Links: Time to kick off the summer

#494519723 / gettyimages.com

Breaking Down UND’s Decommitments: (The Hockey Writers)

NCAA Hockey: Penalize Player Embellishment: (The Hockey Writers)

Nick Schmaltz – The Next Ones: NHL 2014 Draft Prospect Profile: (the Hockey Writers)

NHL’s draft combine to conclude with Saturday’s grueling fitness tests: (Kuklas Korner)

Here's the list of the 119 2014 NHL Combine  Invites: (NHL.COM)

Don Cherry will be on Rogers Net: (the Spin)

Don Cherry uninformed when it comes to college hockey

This is a really good read. I know you're going to be shocked by this news. Apparently, xenophobe Don Cherry of the Coaches Corner stepped on it again this week blasting US division I college hockey. Cherry is not a  fan of an ex-college hockey player taking the ice over a player that played in the Canadian Hockey League. This article kind of piggy backs on this subject. See tweets below.

Stephen Whyno, The Canadian Press – "I think that if more Canadian families were exposed to what college can do -- as parents for your kid socially, athletically and academically ... I think more people would be doing it," said University of Denver coach Jim Montgomery, a Montreal native who went to Maine and ended up playing 122 NHL games.

One opportunity for exposure is the NCAA tournament, which begins Friday and includes 109 Canadian players. There are 35 players from Ontario, 35 from British Columbia, 18 from Alberta and seven each from Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Many of those players are trying to follow in the footsteps of several successful Canadian NHLers who went to college, including four members of the gold-medal-winning Sochi Olympic team: Jonathan Toews (North Dakota), Martin St. Louis (Vermont), Patrick Sharp (Vermont) and Chris Kunitz (Ferris State).

Among the 945 players to see NHL action this season, 100 were Canadians who played at a U.S. college.

Naturally, many went the more traditional road, through the QMJHL, OHL or WHL. But the NCAA is slowly becoming another acceptable way to get there.

Here's are the tweets in question from Don Cherry. I must say that Cherry is clueless when it comes to college hockey. Also, historically, the Toronto Marlies have had a fair number of college hockey players on their roster. Two years ago, when the Marlies made a run in the playoffs they had many ex-college hockey players, making a huge contribution for the Marlies on the ice. This season, if my math is correct, the Marlies have three players with college hockey experience.

5) kid coming from college. We wanna have a look-see. Imagine how he feels. But the dumb dumb media who never played the game, coached the
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerCBC) March 28, 2014

4) expense of a kid who has been playing regularly all year. Imagine going to tell a kid he's not playing. Why? He asks. Cause we've got a
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerCBC) March 28, 2014

3) Flyers. Thought he is big and must be tough. But that wasn't the point I was making. Make no mistake about it. Eric is dropping in at the
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerCBC) March 28, 2014

2) it's ridiculous. I know Eric was a 2009 5th round draft choice. In fact I remember reading about him when he played for Philadelphia Jr
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerCBC) March 28, 2014

1) I really am amused when I see media types criticize me for saying Eric Knodel, US College guy, dropping in to take the spot of a Marlie.
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerCBC) March 28, 2014

Happy 80th Birthday Don Cherry

Happy Birthday to Don Cherry. Without you, our TV sets wouldn't be visually, ummmmmm, stunning pic.twitter.com/C11UMJwDeS
— Bruins Daily (@BruinsDaily) February 6, 2014

NHL Hockey: Don Cherry goes off on P.K. Subban

I know this is a little bit old. Apparently, Don Cherry of the Coach's Corner didn't like P.K. Subban’s goal celebration after he scored the game-winning goal against the Ottawa Senators.

Toronto Star -- Cherry then offered stern advice to the 24-year-old before he heads to Sochi for the Winter Olympics.

“Don’t give (the opposition) ammunition,” Cherry said. “Subban had better stop that stuff when he (goes to the Olympics).”

Thoughts? I thought he celly was a bit over the top, but I wouldn't expect anything less from this guy. It was also against a conference opponent.

Don Cherry insults USA, eludes to them not having class

First off, I going to admit that I like Don Cherry, but these comments are a head-scratcher, to me. Here's the comments in question. They can be heard at the 4:00 Minute mark of the video in question:

Don Cherry on the Coach’s Corner said these lovely comments about the WJHC team. “I have always said that class always wins, class will always sell. First, watch team Canada (walking in)…class. I love it. Beautiful! Here's the Americans (walking in). What can I tell you boys. You have class, and then you have that walking in...”

Related articles

• What's going to happen to Don Cherry? (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Rogers-NHL deal: CBC's Don Cherry to address nation Saturday night (thestar.com)

Time to nix the bench cellys

Don Cherry talks about this in this past week's Coach's Corner. Don Cherry said, "Act like you scored before." There's not reason to fly by the benches and high-five. ... Teams like the Wild and the Blues are starting to discontinue the practice and I think it's a good idea.

Dan O'Neill, Post Dispatch --- Perhaps you noticed during the last two games, wins over Nashville and Winnipeg. When the line of David Backes, Alexander Steen and T.J Oshie have been on the ice for Blues’ goals — and that has been the case on six occasions — there has been no skate to the bench for a Conga line of high-fives.

There has been the traditional raised arms, the traditional hugs and smiles among those involved. And there has been a return to positions for the drop of the puck. In short, the Blues act like they’ve been there before, and aspire to be there again.

“That came from a few gentlemen who used to play here,” Backes said. “They felt like the going through the line thing was a high school, college type of play.

HNIC - Coach's Corner - Nov 30th 2013

There's some good issues on last week’s HNIC Coach's Corner that are worth listening to.  Personally, I think that the lawsuits with the concussions in some cases are a money grab.  When you play a professional sport, you assume the liability and you know the risks associated with the sport you participate in. No one held a gun to their heads and made them play professional sports. It's the same if you drove a race car or were a boxer. 

What's going to happen to Don Cherry?

One of the major questions surrounding the deal between Rogers Communications and CBC is whether Don Cherry will be able to remain after the dust has settled. Not a lot has been said about Cherry’s status as of yet. When I read that Rogers denies it is distancing itself from the notoriously outspoken sportscaster. I am immediately skeptical.

Canadian Press – While it's too early to nail down who will headline the flagship Saturday night show, Moore said CBC and Sportsnet have "some of the best talent in the business" and he looks forward to bringing the two teams together.

Cherry has so far held off weighing in on the deal or his possible involvement, saying he's been left out of any behind-the-scenes discussions and doesn't know "what's going on."

He is expected to address the matter in his Coach's Corner segment Saturday.

In an interview with CBC on Thursday, however, the high-profile hockey commentator brushed off rumours predicting his retirement.

"They've been saying that for 30 years," he said. "I know I'm No. 1 and Coach's Corner is No. 1 and what are you going to do?"

That Cherry was kept in the dark regarding the show he's largely defined for a generation of Canadians suggests his time in the spotlight may be running out, said Edgar Baum, general manager of Brand Finance. "The abruptness of how this happened was a surprise. It appears to me on the surface... that they don't wish to continue with Don," he said.

"Maybe something's going to get negotiated or... maybe they would like to discontinue that era and find somebody new," he said.

"It's up to Rogers to figure out how they want to create that identity, but I definitely think an icon of Canadian hockey broadcasting may be seeing his last season."

Whether the company can oust a fan favourite without alienating viewers hinges on how it orchestrates the transition—and who it puts forth in his place, Baum said.

I am sure we will find out sooner, rather than later, what is going to happen to the iconic Don Cherry. Seems as if there no grey area surrounding Don Cherry, fans either love him, or hate him. I hope that Hockey Night in Canada keeps him on board.

Don Cherry's suit

Don Cherry could also double as a piece of your grandparents' hard candy - twitpic.com/cvwc2v”
— Sean Leahy (@Sean_Leahy) June 8, 2013

Wow! What a colorful suit worn by Don Cherry on the Coach's Corner.

Related articles

• Don Cherry talks about Josh Harding on HNIC Coach's Corner (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Don Cherry talks about Josh Harding on HNIC Coach's Corner

On tonight's Coach's Corner, Don Cherry mentioned Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding. I thought it was a nice touch by Don Cherry. I was talking to someone the other day, and it would make a nice story if the Minnesota Wild were able to make it out of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Obviously, it's a tall order, especially against the Presidents Trophy winning Blackhawks and with a goalie that hasn't played very much the last few years. No matter what happens to the Wild going forward, I think that Josh Harding has played pretty well.

Don Cherry and Coach's Corner

Tonight, Don Cherry from the Coach's Corner blew up the twitter world, when he discussed the subject of female reporters being in the dressing room. Personally, I don't have a problem with female reporters being in the dressing room after NHL hockey games, they have been there for a long time, already. I don't see what the problem is, nor should there be a problem, since the players are already dressed when they meet with the media after the game.

Don Cherry Ramblings on college hockey players

If you haven’t seen this Youtube.com video from Don Cherry, it’s absolutely hilarious. First off, there are eight American players on the Toronto Maple Leafs current roster, that's just the way it is.  There are also 11 players with college hockey experience as well.

While there might not be any players from Toronto, there are four players from Ontario on the Toronto Maple Leafs, so I am not sure what he babbling about. There are roughly 14 Canadians on the Toronto Maple Leafs current roster.  

Ironically, Max Pacioretty the top scorer for the Montreal Canadians last year is an American born ex University of Michigan hockey player. The number two scorer from last season's Montreal Canadians was Erik Cole who was born in America as well and played his college hockey at Clarkson College of the ECAC.

I bet Grapes would like UND's roster because there are two Ontario natives on the current roster.  

Having our cake and eating it too... Leave hockey alone

Logo for 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here is a good example of the disconnect between the fans and the media. To quote Don Cherry, "Quite whining that this stuff hasn't been going on and it's not hockey, it's hockey the way it's played and if you don't like it take up tennis, Cherry added. I can see these guys playing tennis these reporters, that's sweet love in their little white shorts."

Bruce Arthur, National Post --- In fact, the playoffs were careering into dangerous places without him. All across the NHL waves of violence — both typical and excessive — have swept across the game. Elbows, fights, concussions, the most penalty minutes in at least five years and four suspensions (and counting, pending further decisions on Game 3 in the Penguins-Flyers series) in the first 17 games played. There were four suspensions in the entirety of the 2011 playoffs.

Here is the crux of the article, the players and the fans are enjoying this years Stanley Cup Playoff games, or they wouldn't watch the games. The players wouldn't play the games if they didn't enjoy the game of hockey.

Timonen was not talking about hurting people, though. Few will argue that animosity and emotion are not a reason why playoff hockey can be great. Ask most players, and their eyes shine when they talk about it.

“That’s the way hockey should be,” Brière said. “It’s intense. Players are passionate, coaches are passionate, fans are passionate. This is what it’s all about. You come to a game, you want to see passionate teams go at it. You don’t want a boring game, with nothing going on. I think people that paid a price to come watch a playoff game, that’s what they want to see. 

That being said, that doesn't mean I don't want the perpetrators punished that need to be punished but, the rough and tumble hockey is fun to watch. The other night L.A. Kings forward Dustin Brown hit Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sedin with a legal  hard check. Point blank, Brown steam rolled Sedin and it was an awesome hockey play that happens hundreds of times during the National Hockey League's 82 game season. Again, if you don't like it go watch baseball.

As we used to say, get off of the track if you don't want to get run over by the train.

True to form, the whining coming out of the Vancouver fan base is excessive.

Seriously, there are hockey fans out there that want those types of hits taken out of the game of hockey. Why? Maybe they don't understand the game of hockey. It's part of the game... So there are people that want to take out the fights and the scrums and the extra b.s. and then the hitting as well and you will be left with Ice Capades.

We live in a gladiator society and people want to see bone crushing body checks, scrums checks and an occasional fights, we don't want to see the game of hockey wussified. I don't know many people that want t to see this European brand of hockey that's played on Olympic sheets of ice where there is no hitting and little action.

That's not to say that Brendan Shanahan the Vice President of Player Safety hasn't dropped the ball in the playoffs, because he has. The one game suspension to Matt Carkner for attacking Brian Boyle was a head scratchier and it will be interesting to see the ruling from the NHL going forward but I think we have been fortunate to be highly entertained during the first week of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.


Related articles

• Monzo Minor: Trying To Make Sense Of NHL's Ruling Against Rangers (newyork.cbslocal.com)
• NHL Discipline Seems Broken After Lawless Weekend Of Playoff Hockey (sbnation.com)
• NHL Playoff Violence Will Help League's Mainstream Appeal (bleacherreport.com)

Classic Don Cherry

Some good stuff here, by Don Cherry in the Coach's Corner.  I think he is right, it's the reporters and the pundits that are on the clean up the game of hockey band wagon, I like the playoffs this season, they have been very exciting and filled with drama. We have fans complaining about legal hits and begging suspensions and penalties when one isn't appropriate.

"You read in the papers about the reporters, that the things are going wrong in the National Hockey League, how bad they are," Don Cherry Said.

"Well first off all, the fans love it, go ahead and show it, the fans love it who pay the money. Now watch the crowd in the back ground, these guys pay the money. The players don't seem to mind it, the coaches don't seem to mind it, the players like it.

So who is that doesn't the fights and the banging around? It's the reporters that get in free and if they are going to start listening to these people they are nuts."

"This stuff has been going on in the playoffs for a long time," Cherry added. "I know a lot of you people don't realize it..."

"Quite whining that this stuff hasn't been going on and it's not hockey, it's hockey the way it's played and if you don't like it take up tennis, Cherry added. I can see these guys playing tennis these reporters, that's sweet love in their little white shorts."

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• Don Cherry blasts Leafs general manager Brian Burke on Coach's Corner (thehockeynews.com)
• Don Cherry offers Sidney Crosby advice (cbc.ca)

Don Cherry gives Sidney Crosby some free advice

The conversation in question starts at about 4:27 of the video. No one questions that Sidney Crosby is an awesome hockey player, but John Tortorella is right, Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are two of the biggest whiners in the NHL. There is more than enough evidence to prove that point.

Ok! Granted, it's no mystery that Torts was upset with Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik for his dirty, bush-league knee on knee hit on Rangers forward Derek Stephan, last Thursday night. I think Tortorella is right, can you imagine if that hit had been put on Malkin or Crosby, there would be a lot of complaining and whining coming out of the Penguins locker room and you would expect a maximum fine and or suspension handed out by the NHL.

Frankly, I would like to see Don Cherry give the Sedin twins in Vancouver the same lectures as well as these two super stars spend a lot of time diving, flailing and flopping around on the ice a throwing their heads back whenever they're hit.

ProSportsDaily Staff ---- Don Cherry joined a growing number of hockey personalities who are publicly taking issue with Sidney Crosby.

After New York Rangers coach John Tortorella labeled Crosby a whiner, Cherry spoke out against the Pittsburgh Penguins captain during his weekly "Coach's Corner" segment on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada.

"A long time ago when Crosby was coming out, I tried to warn him (to) 'quit diving, quit whining.' (Then) I was the worst guy in the world ... and all I was trying to do was help him," Cherry said.

"All I said was stop whining, stop diving and snapping the head back."

Related articles

• Don Cherry tells superstar Sidney Crosby to 'stop whining' (thestar.com)
• Don Cherry offers Sidney Crosby advice (cbc.ca)
• Don Cherry criticizes Crosby's hockey playing style (ctv.ca)
• Cherry criticizes Crosby, says Penguins star has to change style of play (thehockeynews.com)
• Don Cherry the latest to blast Sidney Crosby (theglobeandmail.com)

Did Cherry bite the hand that feeds him?

I am a big fan of Don Cherry, his colorful cloths and his straight talk is a quality that isn’t real prevalent in today age.

Cherry is kind of the Rush Limbaugh of NHL hockey and he can be a bit of a polarizing figure. Like Limbaugh, most fans either like him or can’t stand him there doesn’t seem to be any middle ground.

Joe Warmington, Toronto Sun — Has Toronto Maple Leafs boss Brian Burke had enough of Don Cherry?

An insider told QMI Agency Burke is tired of Cherry criticizing his team — in particular, his coach — and he is contemplating asking for a meeting with CBC brass to complain.

“He is furious at the comment Cherry made about Ron Wilson not applauding for the troops and for other things too,” said an insider. “He is fiercely loyal to his guys.”

On Jan. 14, Cherry mentioned during a broadcast that visiting New York Ranger coach John Tortorella applauded when the troops were introduced at a recent Armed Forced appreciation game at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

He also called a clapping Leafs assistant coach Rob Zettler “a good Canadian boy.”

But he said Wilson and other coaches “couldn’t have cared less.”

The Leafs president responded to an e-mail asking him if there had “been a formal complaint,” but chose to not get into the fray.

“No comment,” Burke said in a return e-mail. “All-star weekend (is) hardly the time or place for a beef like this.”

Brian Burke is a big boy and you have to wonder if he is being a bit thin skinned. Burke like Cherry has been know for his off the cuff comments as well.

Also, did Don Cherry bite the hand that feeds him? You have t wonder sometime if CBC will eventually throw Cherry under the bus or will they continue to employ the controversial figure. I am hoping the later.

Don Cherry apologizes to tough guys on CBC

Last Saturday night during the Coaches Corner, on Hockey Night in Canada Don Cherry apologized for his comments where he berated Stu Grimson, Chris Nilan and Jim Thomson the week before.

CBC.CA --- Cherry called Grimson, Nilan and Thomson "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 make points on fighting.

Don Cherry might get sued by former tough guys.

I do not receive my cable from Midcontinent anymore because I recently switched to Direct Television, the first thing that I discovered is that there is no CBC on Direct TV, something that I didn't consider when I switched to satellite television. That means I can no longer get the coaches corner, while I had read about this story on the various hockey blogs, this was the first time that I had seen this video.

I think that Don Cherry will probably have to apologize for his controversial comments he made at the 5:40 mark of this video. Love him or hate Don Cherry does make some valid point but I believe that he might have crossed the line this time by calling former tough guys Chris Nilan, Jim Thomson and Stu Grimson "pukes," "hypocrites" and "turncoats."

Montreal Gazette ---- Accusing hockey's best-known commentator of "a complete lack of decency," three former NHL enforcers have raised the spectre of legal action against Don Cherry for controversial comments he made last week.

On Tuesday morning, the Nashville-based law firm Kay, Griffin, Enkema & Colbert released a statement saying former NHL players Chris Nilan, Jim Thomson and Stu Grimson are "considering further recourse" with regard to a rant Cherry made on Hockey Night in canada, calling these players "pukes," "hypocrites" and "turncoats."

It was because, according to Cherry, these players have recently said fighting should taken out of hockey.

While Thomson has made public statements saying clearly that fighting should be banned from the game, Grimson and Nilan have not.

Related articles

• Trio called pukes, seek 'further recourse' from Don Cherry (thestar.com)
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• Ex-NHL tough guys say they may sue Don Cherry (windsorstar.com)