Don Cherry stated his departure from Hockey Night time in Canada in 2019 was not an orchestrated “exit technique” associated to well being issues, as was just lately advised by Ron MacLean, his ex-longtime on-air companion.
The previous co-host of Coach’s Nook isn’t able to name MacLean’s candid feedback to the
a “betrayal,” however admitted to feeling aggrieved by the narrative created after so a few years have handed.
“I’m very dissatisfied in Ron that he would deliver this up,” Cherry, 91, advised the
Toronto Sun’s Joe Warmington in a conversation about MacLean’s assertions
. “I’m very dissatisfied that he would attain again 5 years and do that.
“He ought to let it go,” he added.
Cherry stated he was “actually stunned” when his spouse Luba confirmed him the story, noting to Warmington that so far as she is anxious, MacLean isn’t welcome at their residence or to contact them. Luba advised the author she would converse along with her husband’s former peer immediately.
@CoachsCornerDC explains his “disappointment” in Ron MacLean and that he’s not welcome to his residence so far as his spouse is anxious following a current interview wherein conveys private well being data and unsubstantiated narratives how he left Coach’s Nook in 2919 pic.twitter.com/mBI3WmTWds
— Joe Warmington (@joe_warmington) July 12, 2025
Broached with the topic of Cherry and his son Tim probably ending their podcast Grapevine by Whig Customary sports activities author Gare Joyce just lately, MacLean was reminded of Cherry’s departure from HNIC and tied it to the pneumonia he was affected by on the finish of a protracted Stanley Cup Ultimate between the St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins that June.
MacLean alleged that Cherry was struggling to breathe on their flight to Boston for a decisive Sport 7, and he was taken to a sauna upon touchdown in an try and “filter his lungs.”
A then 85-year-old Cherry would go on air that night time, however his account of what occurred after the sport differs from MacLean’s.
“Don and I didn’t have our post-show ritual beers (as a result of) he was so sick,” MacLean advised the Whig Customary. “I simply had a few beers on my own after which I acquired a name from (Nationwide Hockey League Commissioner) Gary Bettman — you already know, he and I are like, effectively, choose your poison — and he asks, ‘How’s Don?’ I inform him, ‘He’s good. Why do you ask?’ (Bettman) says, ‘Properly, he’s in hospital.’ That was a shocker.”
For his half, Cherry insisted to Warmington that whereas he was “fairly drained,” there was no hospital go to in Boston.
“I went to my room,” he stated, admitting he later visited a hospital upon returning to Canada, the place he spent one night time being assessed and handled for pneumonia.
Regardless, MacLean went on to counsel the “pneumonia scare” led Cherry to start “plotting a means out” that in the end arrived on a November broadcast forward of Remembrance Day when he spoke about immigrants to Canada not carrying poppies to honour Canada’s fallen troopers.
“You individuals come right here, no matter it’s, you like our lifestyle, you like our milk and honey. A minimum of you might pay a few bucks for a poppy,” Cherry stated on the time.
Rogers Sportsnet launched him two days later following public backlash, which MacLean stated “was the fitting consequence.”
“Don wanted out, and the time was proper. (Remembrance Day) was his final swing, taking a stance that’s unpopular, however that feels good in his world. For Don, it’s all a combat. It’s all a battle. So he was blissful and I’m blissful for him.”
Cherry additionally flatly rejected that assertion, saying “he wasn’t searching for a means out.”
“He can say what he needs, but it surely by no means occurred.”
@CoachsCornerDC says @Ron_MacLean in story suggesting he was searching for an exit plan to depart Coach’s Nook and Hockey Night time in Canada on Rogers Sportsnet is mistaken and than it’s the opposite means round. They had been searching for motive to fireside him. pic.twitter.com/I8TnUnmegr
— Joe Warmington (@joe_warmington) July 12, 2025
Cherry stated he’s not been in touch with MacLean in regards to the statements, nor does he plan to succeed in out.
As for the way forward for the Grapevine podcast, Cherry and his son advised Warmington that the present will proceed.
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