Don Cherry Canadian hockey commentator Date of Birth: 05.02.1934 Country: Canada

1. Biography of Don Cherry
2. Hockey Coaching Career
3. Hockey Commentator and Author
4. Popularity and Personal Style
5. Early Life and Family

Biography of Don Cherry

Don Cherry, a Canadian ice hockey commentator, was born on February 5, 1934, in Kingston, Ontario. He started his career as a player and coach in the National Hockey League (NHL). Cherry played one game for the Boston Bruins before transitioning to coaching under the retired hockey player Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr.

Hockey Coaching Career

After retiring from playing hockey, Cherry began coaching the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League in the middle of the 1971-1972 season. He was named "Coach of the Year" that season and later took on the role of the team's general manager. Cherry gained a reputation as a flamboyant and eccentric coach, leading the Boston Bruins to become one of the top teams in the NHL during the late 1970s.

Hockey Commentator and Author

In 1981, Cherry began his career as a hockey commentator on the CBC channel. He is also known as an author and radio commentator for "The Fan Radio Network" and the creator of the video series "Rock'em Sock'em Hockey." Recently, he served as a commentator for the final stages of the Stanley Cup playoffs on the cable channel ESPN in the United States.

Popularity and Personal Style

Don Cherry gained popularity for his outspoken behavior, vibrant outfits, and unwavering patriotism. He is widely recognized for co-hosting the segment "Coach's Corner" alongside Ron MacLean on the long-running Canadian sports program "Hockey Night in Canada."

Early Life and Family

Don Cherry was born to Delmar Cherry, an amateur athlete and steamship line electrician, and Mod Cherry in Kingston, Ontario. He is the grandson of John T. Jack Cherry, one of the earliest members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Don's maternal grandfather was an English orphan who immigrated to Canada. His younger brother also played hockey in various leagues, including one season in the NHL. Cherry himself played professional hockey in minor leagues and only played one playoff game with the Boston Bruins in 1955 due to a baseball injury that hindered his NHL career. He retired from playing in 1970, leaving behind a legacy of winning four Calder Cup championships, once with the Springfield Indians in 1960, and three times with the Rochester Americans in 1965, 1966, and 1968. He also won the Lester Patrick Cup in 1969 with the Vancouver Canucks in the Western Hockey League.