Raffi Cavoukian’s latest creation may not be suitable for the tiny ears that normally comprise his audience.

The popular Canadian children’s entertainer has temporarily set aside singing about baby belugas, robins and watermelons growing by the bay to take on Don Cherry. And he’s not pulling any punches.

Before Saturday’s Vancouver-Toronto hockey game, he called on his 3,800 Twitter followers to mute their televisions during Coach’s Corner using the hashtag #mutedoncherry. He says dozens of fans took up the challenge.

“For years I’ve been watching him get louder and louder,” said the man known to youngsters around the world simply as Raffi. “He sounds and acts like a bully. That’s not fun and it’s not a good example for the kids who are watching.

“In this day and age of all the hockey violence, we should be putting a stop to this.

“I like the skilled players and there’s absolutely no call for this guy to demean anybody who isn’t into the violence. That’s just really stupid on any level.

“I have nothing against the man personally. I’m just saying his act is uncivil and doesn’t belong on our public broadcaster.”

Cherry did not return the Star’s calls, but hockey and Raffi fans had their say.

In a poll on the Star’s website, 62 per cent of those who took part agreed with Raffi. Many took up the singer’s case on Twitter, too.

Typical of his supporters was this one from @banjodunc: “Please please please please mute this guy—Go get ‘em Raffi.”

But there were plenty who wanted the singer silenced, many of them using the hashtag #muteraffi.

“Here’s a NEW reason to dislike Raffi,” tweeted @ChristianConsrv.

Cavoukian, who grew up as a Maple Leafs fan but has converted to the Canucks since moving to the West Coast, said he’s not really sure what moved him to start his campaign Saturday.

He was getting ready to watch the game when he was inspired to hit Twitter.

“OK #hockey fans: press MUTE on your remote. MUTE #doncherry & tell us ‘how tweet it is” !!!” he wrote.

“I’d had enough and it’s Christmas, so I figured what better time,” he said with a laugh. “There’s no game Saturday. We’ll give it a break for Christmas, but look out in the New Year.”

While admitting the whole thing is mostly for fun, Cavoukian did say there is a serious side to his comments.

“I’m standing up for kids, so whatever good there is in his analysis of the game is better served with better demeanour,” he said. “Let’s set a good example for the kids.

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“Let’s take the violence out of hockey as much as we can. It’s a rough, high-flying sport, but it should be the skill of the game that’s celebrated instead of the nonsense.”

Asked if he might fit Cherry’s favourite name for his critics — tree huggers — Cavoukian readily admitted to it.

“I have hugged trees,” he said with a chuckle. “Who hasn’t? I’d hug Don Cherry if I met him.”

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