The End of an Era
The friendship between Ron MacLean and Don Cherry encountered a highly public rift when Cherry was dismissed from Hockey Night in Canada. MacLean was put in a difficult situation and opted to issue a public apology, thereby distancing himself from his long-term friend.
At 89 years old, Cherry candidly announced that their friendship came to an end. In a 2022 interview, he stated:
"I don't think we'll ever be friends again."
Must read on Daily Hockey Dose
Major Update
During a recent interview on the Bob McCowan podcast, MacLean gave an update about their current situation.
"The way we speak is I phone and then he usually phones back but you know, Don is not big on technology," MacLean said.
MacLean added that he and Cherry's former producer Kathy Broderick and Sportsnet coworker Kevin Bieksa phoned him from the NHL All-Star Game in Sunrise, Florida, this past February.
"We all sent greetings. And then I phoned him when Mayor Hazel McCallion, longtime mayor of Mississauga, passed, I offered to take Don to the funeral, but it would have been, you know, a bit of an event if he was there. So he asked not to. I phoned him again on June 1 on the anniversary of [Don's late wife] Rose's passing," MacLean added.
MacLean added that he and Cherry's former producer Kathy Broderick and Sportsnet coworker Kevin Bieksa phoned him from the NHL All-Star Game in Sunrise, Florida, this past February.
"We all sent greetings. And then I phoned him when Mayor Hazel McCallion, longtime mayor of Mississauga, passed, I offered to take Don to the funeral, but it would have been, you know, a bit of an event if he was there. So he asked not to. I phoned him again on June 1 on the anniversary of [Don's late wife] Rose's passing," MacLean added.
MacLean admitted that their political opinions have often been a source of conflicts, but said that such differences never defined their relationship. This may be interpreted by some as MacLean's effort to save face with the public in the aftermath of their conflict.
Would you like to see Cherry back on TV with MacLean?
As seen on Markerzone - Ron MacLean Reveals How He Really Feels About Don Cherry
| POLL | ||
6 SEPTEMBRE | 560 ANSWERS Ron MacLean Comments on his Relationship with Don Cherry Would you like to see Cherry back on TV with MacLean? | ||
| Yes | 383 | 68.4 % |
| No | 177 | 31.6 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
Latest 10 stories
