Latest news with #GrapevinePodcast
National Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- National Post
Don Cherry, 91, signs off from Grapevine podcast for final time
'Thanks everybody for listening and toodaloo.' Article content With those six words, one of the most famous, combative and, yes, popular Canadian sportscasters signed off for what sure sounded like the final time. Article content Article content A frail-sounding Don Cherry, the now 91-year-old long-time icon of Hockey Night In Canada icon, ended the final episode of Don Cherry's Grapevine Podcast, which dropped this week. Article content The show, done with his son Tim, included 313 episodes, giving Grapes a forum since he was bounced from Hockey Night back in 2019 after comments in which he used 'you people' in talking about newcomers to the country marking Remembrance Day. Article content The podcast, which Tim Cherry noted had 6.5 million downloads over its run, was an opportunity for Grapes to stay in touch with the hockey world and for his loyal fan base to get a regular fix. Article content During the final episode, which lasted just 15 minutes, Tim asked his father questions submitted by listeners before the quick Grapes sign off. Article content 'We've been listened to all around the world,' Tim Cherry said, in the closing minute. 'It's just amazing how many different countries people download and listen to it.' Article content Though nowhere near as verbose as he was in his heyday, Grapes weighed in on some topics presented to him by his son. Article content On the Panthers winning the Stanley Cup final: 'They were the better team. But there's no way I was going to go against Edmonton.' Article content Article content On the Leafs being seen as the second-best team because they took the Panthers seven games: 'You have to if they went seven games. But it looked awful that seventh game.' Article content On whether Brad Marchand should have won the Conn Smythe trophy as the post-season MVP: 'I thought Marchand was pretty good. They should have given it to both of them. Marchand should have won it.' Article content Though Cherry had his detractors, many would say that Hockey Night In Canada has never been the same since his departure, a broadcast that has lacked a strong identity through a number of personnel changes. Article content The other side of the debate, of course, is that it was time for Cherry to go and the controversial comment was the final straw for the Rogers executives who sent him packing. Article content Though the podcast had its followers, obviously it had nowhere near the impact of Cherry's words delivered from the Hockey Night In Canada pulpit, must-see viewing for hockey fans every Saturday night for decades. Article content
Toronto Sun
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
WARMINGTON: No need to wait until Game 1 of the NHL finals to get your first 'Cherry's Corner'
The Toronto Sun has Coach Don Cherry with the excitement on the Stanley Cup final between Edmonton and Florida and a prediction too Get the latest from Joe Warmington straight to your inbox Hockey icon Don Cherry is backing the Edmonton Oilers to win the Stanley Cup. He's pictured with columnist Joe Warmington at his Mississauga home on June 3, 2025. (Jack Boland, Toronto Sun) You don't need Hockey Night in Canada to learn that Don Cherry is in the Edmonton Oilers' corner. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Just tune in to Cherry's Corner. We have the scoop you won't get on CBC or Rogers Sportsnet. Yes, folks, by request of many readers, we went back to visit Grapes for another instalment of the popular Cherry's Corner so he could set up Wednesday night's opening game of the 2025 Stanley Cup finals between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers. No Ron MacLean. No problem. Joined by legendary Toronto Sun photographer and Boston Bruins fan Jack Boland, I did my best to bring Canada the coach once again. Of course, Cherry is all you really need. You can also enjoy Grapes every week on the Don Cherry Grapevine Podcast with his son, Tim, who is equally as knowledgeable about hockey as Cherry, and his grandson, Del. 'Last time you guys were late, and I was going to send you both Rochester,' teased the 91-year-old Canadian treasure. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Once NHL coach of the year, always coaching. We didn't dare be tardy this time. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. And there was the iconic former coach of the Boston Bruins and almost 40-years on Coach's Corner on Saturday nights, ready, waiting and reading the book — The Don Cherry Story — his late daughter Cindy wrote just before her passing of a sudden illness last summer. Don said reading the book from Cindy's perspective has been emotional for him but also cathartic. The personal stuff, professional stuff, the public stuff and the relationship with a country he loves. 'It's all true,' he said, adding he finds it hard to believe 'I went through all of that. She did a great job.' Cindy Cherry and her dad, Don Cherry. Photo by Bryn Gladding From Bobby Orr to his departure from Rogers on Remembrance Day 2019, the book is a nice piece of Canadian history. Needless to say, it has been a tough year for Grapes with both Cindy and his brother, Richard, dying. But the tough coach is putting one foot in front of the other, trying to keep going and admitting the NHL playoffs have helped a lot with that. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's been great,' he said. 'I've been watching and I will be watching.' Recommended video He's really looking forward to this puck drop between the Panthers — champs of 2024 — and the Oilers. So who does he like this year? 'They are two outstanding teams,' he said. 'But I have to go with Canada, all the way. I am sticking with Oilers to win.' But he doesn't think it's going to be easy. No finals are ever easy. He should know. He lost to the Montreal Canadiens back in the day. An inch here, a bounce or penalty call there, and who knows? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But he believes this is the Oilers time. As much as he loves the Oilers players like Corey Perry, Jeff Skinner and Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse, he also likes Sam Bennett, Sergei Bobrovsky, Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov, too. 'The Panthers play like the Bruins, so you have to be ready,' he said. 'But Connor McDavid is the best player in the world. And he's playing great.' Like most of Canada, he is hoping this is No. 97's year. With two good coaches and two top goalies — and the best players in the world — Grapes thinks it could be classic. 'I am really looking forward to it,' he said. 'Let's go.' Read More Toronto & GTA Other Sports Toronto & GTA Ontario Toronto & GTA
