Don Cherry remains a controversial figure, but as ESPN's Pierre LeBrun suggests, there's no doubt that Cherry is a Hall-of-Famer in waiting:
Don Cherry, Coach’s Corner, Hockey Night In Canada. They are staples of the soul of hockey. The impact that Grapes has had on our sport for decades from his pulpit at CBC is beyond measure.
At the heart of it all has always been Cherry’s care for youth hockey. He has spent more time in minor hockey rinks in the Greater Toronto Area than anyone alive. He has never forgotten about the grassroots of the sport.
Think about his impact decades ago when he urged minor hockey to put stop signs on the back of players’ sweaters in order to curb hitting from behind.
Think about his decades-old push for the elimination of the old icing rule for fear of dangerous injuries that had already wrecked some careers. The NHL finally listened.
I could go on and on, but Grapes and the sport of hockey are intertwined in so many ways that they are one.
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