Don Cherry fired from 'Hockey Night in Canada' after discriminatory remarks on TV

Kirkland Crawford | Detroit Free Press

Don Cherry, the longtime analyst on "Hockey Night in Canada," has been let go by Rogers Sportsnet after almost 40 years as a face of the NHL on television.

During Cherry's popular "Coach's Corner" segment on Saturday night, the former Boston Bruins and Colorado Rockies coach shared some incendiary remarks about people who were not wearing poppy pins to honor Canadian soldiers who have died.

Nov. 11 is Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth, including Canada; it is Veterans Day in the United States. .

“You people ... you love our way of life, you love our milk and honey, at least you can pay a couple bucks for a poppy or something like that,” Cherry said. “These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada, these guys paid the biggest price.”

Sportsnet and Cherry's longtime TV partner, Ron MacLean, both issued apologies. The NHL, Hockey Canada and numerous officials in Canada issued statements criticizing Cherry's remarks.

People on social media lambasted Cherry for his comments. The country's broadcasting regulatory commission was deluged by viewer complaints, and on Monday, the 85-year-old was fired.

“Following further discussions with Don Cherry after Saturday night’s broadcast, it has been decided it is the right time for him to immediately step down,” Sportsnet president Bart Yabsley said via a statement released on Twitter. “During the broadcast, he made divisive remarks that do not represent our values or what we stand for.

“Don is synonymous with hockey and has played an integral role in growing the game over the past 40 years. We would like to thank Don for his contributions to hockey and sports broadcasting in Canada.”

Cherry had been a fixture on Saturday night television during hockey season in Canada and some of the United States since 1981. His colorful wardrobe was nearly as loud as his comments on "old-time hockey," including advocating fighting. He also is known for making derogatory comments about players from Europe.

Sportsnet took over "Hockey Night in Canada" from CBC in 2014.

Contact Kirkland Crawford: kcrawford@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @HiKirkHere.