Don Cherry mentioned his departure from Hockey Night time in Canada in 2019 was not an orchestrated “exit technique” associated to well being considerations, as was not too long ago urged by Ron MacLean, his ex-longtime on-air companion.
The previous co-host of Coach’s Nook isn’t able to name MacLean’s candid feedback to the
a “betrayal,” however admitted to feeling aggrieved by the narrative created after so a few years have handed.
“I’m very dissatisfied in Ron that he would convey this up,” Cherry, 91, informed the
Toronto Solar’s Joe Warmington in a dialog about MacLean’s assertions
. “I’m very dissatisfied that he would attain again 5 years and do that.
“He ought to let it go,” he added.
Cherry mentioned he was “actually stunned” when his spouse Luba confirmed him the story, noting to Warmington that so far as she is anxious, MacLean isn’t welcome at their residence or to contact them. Luba informed the author she would converse together with her husband’s former peer instantly.
@Coachscornerdc explains his “disappointment” in Ron MacLean and that he’s not welcome to his residence so far as his spouse is anxious following a current interview wherein conveys private well being info and unsubstantiated narratives how he left Coach’s Nook in 2919 pic.twitter.com/mBI3WmTWds
— Joe Warmington (@joe_warmington) July 12, 2025
Broached with the topic of Cherry and his son Tim presumably ending their podcast Grapevine by Whig Normal sports activities author Gare Joyce not too long ago, MacLean was reminded of Cherry’s departure from HNIC and tied it to the pneumonia he was affected by on the finish of an extended Stanley Cup Closing between the St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins that June.
MacLean alleged that Cherry was struggling to breathe on their flight to Boston for a decisive Sport 7, and he was taken to a sauna upon touchdown in an try and “filter his lungs.”
A then 85-year-old Cherry would go on air that evening, however his account of what occurred after the sport differs from MacLean’s.
“Don and I didn’t have our post-show ritual beers (as a result of) he was so sick,” MacLean informed the Whig Normal. “I simply had a few beers on my own after which I acquired a name from (Nationwide Hockey League Commissioner) Gary Bettman — you recognize, he and I are like, effectively, choose your poison — and he asks, ‘How’s Don?’ I inform him, ‘He’s good. Why do you ask?’ (Bettman) says, ‘Nicely, he’s in hospital.’ That was a shocker.”
For his half, Cherry insisted to Warmington that whereas he was “fairly drained,” there was no hospital go to in Boston.
“I went to my room,” he mentioned, admitting he later visited a hospital upon returning to Canada, the place he spent one evening being assessed and handled for pneumonia.
Regardless, MacLean went on to counsel the “pneumonia scare” led Cherry to start “plotting a method out” that finally arrived on a November broadcast forward of Remembrance Day when he spoke about immigrants to Canada not carrying poppies to honour Canada’s fallen troopers.
“You individuals come right here, no matter it’s, you’re keen on our lifestyle, you’re keen on our milk and honey. At the very least you may pay a few bucks for a poppy,” Cherry mentioned on the time.
Rogers Sportsnet launched him two days later following public backlash, which MacLean mentioned “was the correct final result.”
“Don wanted out, and the time was proper. (Remembrance Day) was his final swing, taking a stance that’s unpopular, however that feels good in his world. For Don, it’s all a struggle. It’s all a battle. So he was comfortable and I’m comfortable for him.”
Cherry additionally flatly rejected that assertion, saying “he wasn’t on the lookout for a method out.”
“He can say what he desires, but it surely by no means occurred.”
@Coachscornerdc says @Ron_MacLean in story suggesting he was on the lookout for an exit plan to go away Coach’s Nook and Hockey Night time in Canada on Rogers Sportsnet is mistaken and than it’s the opposite method round. They had been on the lookout for cause to fireside him. pic.twitter.com/I8TnUnmegr
— Joe Warmington (@joe_warmington) July 12, 2025
Cherry mentioned he’s not been involved with MacLean in regards to the statements, nor does he plan to achieve out.
As for the way forward for the Grapevine podcast, Cherry and his son informed Warmington that the present will proceed.
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