It’s time for Hockey Night in Canada to make the right decision and bring back Don Cherry for another season of Coach’s Corner.
Cherry wasn’t just a commentator—he was a cultural icon, the voice of old-school hockey, and the heartbeat of Canada’s game for decades. His absence has been felt by fans who grew up with his passionate defence of hardworking players, his deep love for Canada, and his unapologetic enthusiasm for the sport. He was one of the strongest supporters of Canada’s Armed Forces and veterans, frequently dedicating some of his most powerful segments to those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Afghanistan conflict.
As Canada continues to reject the notion of being a post-national state, it is time to reinstate Cherry. With the cultural pendulum shifting back toward common sense and away from the knee-jerk reactions of cancel culture, HNIC must decide whether it wants to be remembered as the network that abandoned a Canadian folk hero.
Cherry’s dismissal in 2019 was a polarizing moment, but in the years since, a new reality has emerged. Canadians value grace, yet we’ve seen it selectively applied. Ron MacLean, Cherry’s long-time colleague, was given a pass despite distancing himself from Cherry when it mattered most. Fans haven’t forgotten, and as a result, HNIC has struggled to maintain its character. The authenticity, passion, and sheer entertainment that Cherry brought to the show remain irreplaceable.
Corporate hockey reporters lack Cherry’s ability to connect with the average fan. Their coverage is often sterile, overly cautious, and missing the deep, unfiltered knowledge of the game’s culture that Cherry brought to every broadcast. This isn’t just nostalgia talking—look at the current state of hockey media. The most popular content isn’t coming from traditional television studios; it’s coming from podcasts like Spittin’ Chiclets, where former players like Paul Bissonnette engage fans in a way that mainstream outlets simply cannot. In Canada, Spittin’ Chiclets is consistently one of the most downloaded podcasts on Apple and Spotify, proving there is a substantial demand for authentic hockey discussion. Unlike many other countries, where news and cultural podcasts dominate, Canada’s sports media landscape is defined by a hunger for genuine hockey discourse.
Why? Because fans crave raw, passionate, and sometimes politically incorrect voices—personalities that mainstream networks have increasingly sidelined. The gatekeepers of hockey media have lost touch with their audience, and it’s time for them to acknowledge it.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, centre, holds a clipboard while coaching with Don Cherry in Barrie, Ont. in this August 12, 2010 photo. Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press.
No one in hockey embodied that connection better than Cherry. His Rock’em Sock’em Hockey videos on VHS were an annual tradition, shaping the way generations of fans viewed the sport. The highlights, the hard hits, the fights, and the skill were all presented with Cherry’s unmistakable voice and enthusiasm. No one has stepped into that role since. While Bissonnette has emerged as a fan favourite, there is still a void in mainstream hockey coverage. The NHL and HNIC lack a singular, charismatic figure who truly represents the fans, and Cherry’s presence is sorely missed. If anyone doubts that Cherry still has the energy and passion, they need only look at his recent 91st birthday social media posts—he remains as vibrant and engaged as ever.
This isn’t to suggest that bringing Cherry back would magically solve HNIC’s ratings struggles. The media landscape is shifting, with an increasing reliance on streaming, regional blackouts preventing access to games, and a highly fragmented market that makes it difficult for hockey to attract new fans. However, the success of the UFC demonstrates that sports can grow by embracing big personalities.
The UFC has been the fastest-growing sport in North America, capturing the attention of younger audiences with its unapologetic, action-packed approach to sports entertainment. Unlike corporate hockey broadcasters, the UFC has allowed strong personalities to flourish, recognizing that fans connect with authenticity rather than scripted, sanitized commentary. HNIC should take note—often, the loudest voices in the media don’t represent the potential fanbase that the sport could cultivate. The NHL and its broadcasters must consider whether their current strategy is truly engaging new audiences or if they are merely catering to a small group of media insiders disconnected from the average hockey fan.
It’s also worth considering the broader cultural climate. The backlash against cancel culture is real. Whether in comedy, music, or sports, people are increasingly frustrated with seeing legends cast aside because they don’t fit into a sanitized, hyper-sensitive narrative. If HNIC wants to be on the right side of history, it must acknowledge that Cherry’s legacy is too significant to erase. The show cannot afford to be permanently associated with an era of knee-jerk cancellations, especially when the audience that loved Cherry remains engaged and loyal. HNIC should aim to be on the right side of history and not be remembered for discarding its biggest talent in a moment of controversy.
Bringing Cherry back isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about restoring authenticity to HNIC. It would be an admission that, in their rush to appease a vocal minority, they turned their backs on the core fanbase that made the show a success. It would reaffirm that passion, character, and history still have a place in hockey coverage.
Corporate executives may have believed they were ushering in a new era, but the reality is that the show has never been the same. HNIC still has an opportunity to correct this misstep.
