It was recently announced that hockey broadcasters Don Cherry and Ron MacLean were chosen to share a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Don Cherry and Ron MacLean will join the 161 inductees cemented into the sidewalks of Toronto at this year’s annual celebration. “They are loved from coast to coast,” said Canada’s Walk of Fame CEO Melanie Hurley in an article by The Globe and Mail, “it would be only fitting to honour them together.”
The Walk of Fame, established in 1998, works to inspire and engage future generations by honouring Canadians who excel in their respective fields. This charitable, non-profit organization has three important values: to educate and foster pride in Canadians; support Canadian culture; and provide a stage for new talent in Canada. Each year, the Walk of Fame has a televised festival to show off popular performers as well as emerging talent, celebrating the achievements of Canada’s stars. Canada’s Walk of Fame is described as “a permanent place of tribute and recognition for Canadian achievement” and “the foremost honour for cultural excellence in Canada.”
Since 1986, Cherry and MacLean have been hosting CBC’s “Coach’s Corner,” a segment that airs during the first intermission of Saturday’s Hockey Night in Canada. In 1980, Cherry was a coach brought in as an analyst, whose segment was meant to be short term, but became hugely popular. In 1986 Ron MacLean replaced Dave Hodge as Cherry’s new co-host. In an interview with George Stroumboulopoulos, Cherry recalls, “We didn’t get along for almost a year,” when asked what he thought of MacLean. “He just didn’t get it!” What started off as an unwanted relationship turned into a playful camaraderie that many Canadian hockey fans can look forward to every week.
Cherry is known for his loud and opinionated manner on the show, along with his game analysis, cultural commentary, and playful evasion of MacLean, who always tries to keep him on track. The segment is typically very controversial, adding more than just statistics and opinions about hockey.
“Coach’s Corner” is “more than just ‘we are going to live in a beer commercial; we are going to polish the shield; and we are going to say nice things about hockey,’” said MacLean, “Don was giving us a whole picture, in that plastic veneer which was television, it was just a joy.”
Cherry and MacLean have become a staple in Canadian hockey culture over their time with “Coach’s Corner.” After 20 years of Hockey Night in Canada, families and hockey fans across the country still come together to enjoy the five-minute segment. Cherry and MacLean have no interest in retiring any time soon, so hockey fans everywhere can continue to enjoy the pair as a uniquely Canadian aspect of the NHL for years to come.
They will be inducted to Canada’s Walk of Fame together for their decades dedicated to the sport of hockey and “Coach’s Corner.” They will be honoured at the festival in Toronto on Nov. 7, and on television Dec. 17.
A correction has been made to this article which appeared in-print in Issue 175.5 of The Ontarion—the mistake has been properly accounted for and the correct attribution for Canada’s Walk of Fame CEO Melanie Hurley quote has been given to The Globe and Mail. The Ontarion regretfully apologizes for this oversight.