Don Cherry
canucker @ Sat Oct 22, 2005 4:52 pm
Don Cherry, profiled by Tony Keller, Oct. 18
$1:
The rules of honour, which Cherry will also refer to as the "warrior's code" or simply "the code," reflect what a political scientist would call "natural law": Those who believe in the code hold that it transcends the written rules of hockey, and is superior to them. And to uphold the code, sometimes you have to break the law -- as the Canadian Juniors did.
It is hard to imagine a Canadian politician invoking honour, a pre-modern concept of duties and not rights; it is even harder to imagine any other sports journalist doing so. Yet, however archaic the concept of honour may be, it resonates with many Canadians.
When the rules of honour are violated, the Cherry world-view says you should expect extra-judicial retribution to follow. The other night, the Toronto Maple Leafs ran up the score against the Atlanta Thrashers, 9-1. The Thrashers responded by running the Leafs' stars and provoking several fights. For Cherry, the villain of the piece was obvious: Leafs' coach Pat Quinn. It's not against the rules to run up the score -- but it is against the code. And it's asking for trouble. If you can't be a good winner, don't bank on your adversary being a good loser.
And just as you should never kick an opponent when he's down, the code says you should stand up for your friends when they're down.
It is hard to imagine a Canadian politician invoking honour, a pre-modern concept of duties and not rights; it is even harder to imagine any other sports journalist doing so. Yet, however archaic the concept of honour may be, it resonates with many Canadians.
When the rules of honour are violated, the Cherry world-view says you should expect extra-judicial retribution to follow. The other night, the Toronto Maple Leafs ran up the score against the Atlanta Thrashers, 9-1. The Thrashers responded by running the Leafs' stars and provoking several fights. For Cherry, the villain of the piece was obvious: Leafs' coach Pat Quinn. It's not against the rules to run up the score -- but it is against the code. And it's asking for trouble. If you can't be a good winner, don't bank on your adversary being a good loser.
And just as you should never kick an opponent when he's down, the code says you should stand up for your friends when they're down.
canucker @ Sat Oct 22, 2005 5:10 pm
IceOwl IceOwl:
While he is undeniably a great Canadian icon, "Don Cherry" and "intellect" are not words that belong in the same sentence.
In your opinion.
canucker @ Sat Oct 22, 2005 6:13 pm
I like him. He's never afraid to speak his mind, and I agree with his views on hockey. He's my man.
twister @ Sat Oct 22, 2005 6:31 pm
I am going to lobby trev to send Mr. Don Cherry and Mr Ron McLean Honorary gold memberships to CKA..
canucker @ Sat Oct 22, 2005 6:34 pm
Good idea. 
Ripcat @ Sun Oct 23, 2005 3:25 pm
I love Don Cherry!! 
canucker @ Sun Oct 23, 2005 4:29 pm
Ripcat Ripcat:
I love Don Cherry!!
Nice avatar. 
Hester @ Sun Oct 23, 2005 4:46 pm
IceOwl IceOwl:
While he is undeniably a great Canadian icon, "Don Cherry" and "intellect" are not words that belong in the same sentence.
I'm 100% behind you on this one Ice.
Northern @ Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:10 am
He does tend to over step his bounds, but he knows hockey.
... he picked the Sens to win it this year ...
Richard @ Fri Oct 28, 2005 12:53 pm
I like the membership thing good idea. Intellect might be stretching it but his commentary on hockey spills over into his general attitude in life and there are alot of people that would like to to still be that way.
canucker @ Sat Nov 12, 2005 8:55 pm
Did people hear what Don said in today's Coach's Corner? Bang! He's dead on.
DerbyX @ Sat Nov 12, 2005 8:58 pm
canucker canucker:
Did people hear what Don said in today's Coach's Corner? Bang! He's dead on.
I missed it. What did he say?
Tman1 @ Sat Nov 12, 2005 8:59 pm
Actually I can't remember even though I was watching him. He seems to have the knack of making people forget what he's talking about.
Hester @ Sat Nov 12, 2005 9:00 pm
Did anyone hear what Don Cherry had to say during this week's Remembrance Day vignettes on CTV Sportsnet? He's a one trick pony. I'm not sure he's familiar with WWII, he certainly did nothing to prepare for his questions. Dick Irvin Jr shamed him with names of junior players who died, even Howie Meeker had stories to tell.
Get off the TV Don.