Cherry's record of safety, respect 'speaks for itself': HNIC boss
The head of Hockey Night in Canada has come out in strong support of Don Cherry after a Toronto neurosurgeon accused the commentator of contributing to serious injuries and concussions in the sport.
Sherali Najak, executive producer of Canada's longest-running television show, said Cherry's record of safety and respect in hockey speaks for itself.
"Everything from championing on-ice rules and equipment changes to leading the STOP sign campaign, he has been the leader in teaching tough, smart hockey and promotes respect amongst players at every level," Najak said Sunday in a release.
"Everyone who has watched Don over the years knows this, and any indication otherwise is misguided and a short-sighted misrepresentation of the facts."
Neurosurgeon Charles Tator spoke at a Regina seminar about concussions in hockey on Saturday, where he said Cherry, a former National Hockey League coach and a long-time popular personality on Hockey Night, was a "negative influence."
That was because of "an aggressive, lack-of-respect hockey that he preaches" that needs to be taken out of the game.
"If he took a strong stand against no hits to the head, it would help,"
Tator said, pointing to a move to reduce serious neck injuries in hockey some years ago that was helped when Cherry added his voice.
STOP (safety towards other players) was a successful campaign to prevent hitting from behind that began in 1996 out of Windsor, Ont., and moved across the country.
It involved the placement of a traditional stop sign on the back of all sweaters worn by minor hockey players.
Jason Smith, a former NHLer and now an orthopedic surgeon in Toronto, came to Cherry's defence at the seminar.
"I feel that Don Cherry cares about people, ultimately," Smith told CBC News. "So to call him a problem, I don't know.
"I think it's more in the [hockey] culture. He's a product of that culture … and a little more of a rock 'em, sock 'em type."
The Regina conference was a collaboration between Hockey Canada and the Think First foundation, set up by Tator to prevent injuries in sports.