He wasn’t alone, with the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) stating it had been inundated with calls from angry viewers over Cherry’s comments.

Cherry, a veteran broadcaster on Hockey Night in Canada who lives in Mississauga, singled out immigrants for not sporting poppies in memory of the country’s fallen servicemen and women in the lead up to Remembrance Day on Nov. 11.

“You people love — that come here whatever it is — you love our way of life, you love our milk and honey. At least you could pay a couple of bucks for poppies or something like that. These guys pay for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada. These guys paid the biggest price,” said Cherry during his weekly Coach’s Corner segment.

Dhillon spoke to several media outlets regarding his disappointment over Cherry’s comments, but wasn’t among those calling for Sportsnet to remove him.

“I’m not asking for him to be fired,” Dhillon told the Toronto Star Sunday. “No one is questioning his patriotism.”

“But I think what this does, is it can open a door for a conversation that can be had between himself and some of the people he's offended," he added.

Ron MacLean, Cherry’s longtime Coaches Corner co-host, also took to Twitter to apologize to viewers offended by the segment.

“I want to sincerely apologize to our viewers and Canadians. During last night's broadcast, Don made comments that were hurtful and prejudiced and I wish I had handled myself differently. It was a divisive moment and I am truly upset with myself for allowing it,” read part of his statement on Nov. 10.

I want to sincerely apologize to our viewers and Canadians. During last night's broadcast, Don made comments that were hurtful and prejudiced and I wish I had handled myself differently. It was a divisive moment and I am truly upset with myself for allowing it. (1/2)

— Ron MacLean (@RonMacLeanHTH) November 10, 2019

This isn’t the first time Cherry has come under fire for his comments. Cherry was often in hot water over his criticism of players from Russia and other European countries in the 1990s and 2000s as more and more players from those areas of the world began joining NHL rosters during that time.

With files from Patty Winsa/Toronto Star.

** Editors note: This article was updated at 5:48 p.m. on Nov. 11 to correct spelling of Ron MacLean's name. Also, commenting on this story has been disabled as of Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 9:20 a.m. due to violations of the terms of use.

