Don Cherry's comments on Nov. 9's 'Coach's Corner' broadcast and his subsequent firing from 'Hockey Night in Canada' have captured the hockey world's attention.
Cherry, 85, crafted a larger-than-life persona over more than five decades working as an NHL coach and in sports media. Canadian players and coaches — who make up over 40 percent of the entire NHL — grew up seeing Cherry's face each Saturday night and listening to his segments.
Inevitably, several players and coaches have faced questions from reporters since Cherry's dismissal. Here is a running list of what they are saying about the ordeal:
Bo Horvat, Vancouver Canucks
"[Cherry has] been in the game for a long time but at the same time, hockey is supposed to bring people together," the Vancouver captain told reporters on Monday, via Ben Kuzma. "There’s no place for stuff like that. I think it’s the right decision. It’s upsetting hearing things like that being said."
Nazem Kadri, Colorado Avalanche
Kadri told reporters he thinks Cherry's message was "maybe said incorrectly" and that it may have been taken out of context.
NEW — Nazem Kadri, of proud Lebanese descent, reacts to Don Cherry’s firing for controversial remarks about immigrants in Canada: “People maybe took it out of context a little bit.” (more: https://t.co/rfob09YzSI) pic.twitter.com/F7DumMxC6J
— Kyle Fredrickson (@kylefredrickson) November 12, 2019
Claude Julien, Montreal Canadiens
Julien expressed support for veterans and also told reporters he supports the league's "Hockey is For Everyone" initiative.
"In today's society I think that's the direction we have to take," he said.
#Habs coach Claude Julien's response when I asked him after morning skate in Brossard for his reaction to Don Cherry getting fired by Sportsnet #HabsIO: pic.twitter.com/5nwnogonPv
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) November 12, 2019
Bruce Cassidy, Boston Bruins
"Hockey vs. politics, I try to stay away from that," Cassidy said, according to the Boston Globe's Matt Porter. "I don’t agree with what he said. I love the fact he was a great coach for the Bruins years ago, loved the way the team played. But that’s just not the way I think.”
Jason Spezza, Toronto Maple Leafs
Spezza expressed disappointment both in Cherry's statement on Saturday and that the legend's career has taken this turn.
"It's sad," he told reporters via CBC. "I'm not one to weigh into it too much, but what makes Canada great is the equality we have and how diverse our culture is. You don't like anything discriminatory that offends anyone, but Don is an icon. You don't like to see things end that way. He was someone that was part of hockey for a long time."
Travis Green, Vancouver Canucks
“I don’t think there’s any room for [those comments] and not in sport, but life in general," the Canucks coach said via Ben Kuzma. You don’t like to see comments that will hurt other cultures.”