HNIC Defends Don Cherry After Doctor Calls Him ‘Negative Influence’
Posted December 14, 2009 9:14 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Hockey Night in Canada is coming to the defence of Don Cherry, who was described as “a negative influence” during a concussion seminar over the weekend.
In a statement released Sunday, executive producer Sherali Najak said Cherry, host of the popular Coach’s Corner segment on the CBC’s weekly hockey telecast, is a positive force in the game.
“Don Cherry’s record of safety and respect in hockey speaks for itself,” said Najak. “Everything from championing on-ice rules and equipment changes to leading the stop sign campaign, he has been the leader in teaching tough smart hockey and promotes respect amongst players at every level.
“Everyone who has watched Don over the years know this and any indication otherwise is misguided and a short-sighted misrepresentation of the facts.”
Dr. Charles Tator, a Toronto neurosurgeon, made the comment about Cherry in front of about 150 people at a Hockey Canada concussion seminar held in Regina on Saturday.
When questioned later by reporters, Tator said he’d like to see an end to the “aggressive, lack of respect” hockey style preached by Cherry.
The doctor said there’s been too much emphasis on the “sock ’em, kill ’em type of hockey.”
Tator added that Cherry helped with a campaign many years ago to prevent broken necks and it would help if Cherry could now take a strong stand against hits to the head
