My Letter to Sportsnet re: Firing of Hockey Icon Don Cherry

Don Cherry is a Canadian ice hockey icon. He's been involved in hockey either as a professional NHL player, coach or commentator for 65 years. He's brash and outspoken and that is his charm. I don't watch much hockey on TV nor am I in love with Don. I consider myself impartial.

Recently on the eve of Remembrance Day he made some comments on his TV show called Coach's Corner where he chastised people for not wearing the poppy which symbolizes Remembrance Day. He has a history of supporting Canadian war vets who sadly rely on the small donations that people give to buy a poppy on this important day. 

Here is a link to the video of his short talk on TV that ultimately got him fired from his current employer Sportsnet:  video


After hearing him being lambasted by our entire mainstream media, on social media, thrown under the bus by his colleague on the show and by just about every radio show I decided to write the following letter to his former employer. Listening to all of this, one would think that he killed someone. BTW: feel free to write them a letter at: feedback@sportsnet.rogers.com


Dear Sir/Madam,

I agree with Don Cherry! Not only was he right about some Canadians, especially some immigrants not paying enough attention to Remembrance Day, we have an obligation to educate them about our war vets. About how they saved us from real evil bigots who wanted to take over the world and silence those of us who disagreed.

Don Cherry could have used different words to tell his message but an excellent  communicator, he is not.

Nevertheless, he was speaking the truth from his heart as usual. I see it everywhere in Toronto as well. In the work place we constantly celebrate diversity. We are forced to learn about Black History (for a solid month). We put in many days of serious effort celebrating all sorts of cultures and religions with elaborate displays and events. Some immigrants take good advantage of our warm Canadian generosity, gaming the system and overextending our benefits of all kinds. Some are quick to push for private prayer rooms at the work place. But at those same organizations where employers put on excellent annual Remembrance Day presentations, I don’t see many of those people attending.

While using an ATM at the bank today, at least 3 people came in (yes they were new to Canada) who had no idea why the bank was closed. I made an effort to explain to them but they weren’t the least bit interested.

Many young people don’t know much about the great wars, the Holocaust or how our Canadian Armed Forces played a role in defending the free world. How they suffered and continue to suffer because our PM and our leftists in Canada don't seem to care about them.

Many Canadians of all colours and ages no nothing about Flanders fields or the significance of the poppy. They might have taught it at our schools years ago but I doubt that they do it anymore because our system is rigged against Canadian nationalism.

If Don wasn't a Conservative right winger, the extreme outrage perpetuated by our main stream media would never have happened. Case in point is our PM who wore black face numerous times, was caught groping numerous times, said that French Quebecers are better than English Canadians numerous times, gave millions of dollars to a convicted Muslim terrorist and even got away with interfering with a criminal case before the attorney general (aka SNC-Lavalin affair).

Don Cherry should be congratulated for having the courage to bring up this unspoken but important issue, not chastised or fired. You at Sportsnet missed a great teaching opportunity and missed the point entirely.