Saku Koivu deserves praise, not criticism

All,
Remember the old adage, "Actions speak louder than words?" This certainly makes the language they are spoken in the lowest priority. By Koivu's actions he has shown himself to be a great man and a great hockey player.

Jeff

Everyone should just forget about the controversy on Koivu not speaking French for those few little minutes that hardly changed anyone's life. Saku is a hero enough for most people, battling cancer and being a great player at the same time. He has enough on his mind without people ragging on him for not being bilingual.
Thanks, Don.

Saku Koivu should be idolized by both the fans and the press in Montreal...the press' recent treatment of him is appalling. Koivu won his terrible battle with cancer and is playing better now than ever before. So, Montreal Press, open your eyes! Way to go Don for backing Saku....more should do the same.

Very nice tribute to our fallen Canadian soldiers on Coach's Corner. Well done, Don Cherry and the CBC.

Support Our Troops.

With regards to Don's outrage about Avery picking a fight with Tucker: the most striking thing about this whole tirade to me was another example of Cherry's racism/xenophobia. Cherry kept complaining that "Avery was picking on [Toronto's] best player" - Tucker. Only in some bizarro world where Sweden and Kazakhstan and most of Europe don't exist would Tucker be the best player. Antropov and Sundin are clearly the best players on the team. Cherry's continued slight of these players makes his commentary less and less relevant except as an example of the problems in Canada. To ignore the non-Canadians on every team and discuss the league is like eating the peanuts out of your mixed nuts. I'm going back to flipping channels and refilling my beer during Coach's corner.

where can i get one of those jersy don was showing tonight from the kitchiner rangers

Dear Mr. Cherry,
When I married into a hockey family 12 years ago, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Two people changed me from a disinterested bystander to an avid fan: you and Sean Avery.
Several years ago I watched my first few episodes of Coach's Corner and I was hooked! I always enjoy your comments and have looked forward to watching every week since.
During the same time period, my family and I went to see the Stanley Cup in Larry Robinson's sports shop in Manhattan Beach. Sean Avery was at the event. When we asked him for a picture with our son, then 3, Avery couldn't have been nicer. He held him up on his arm, talked with him, and introduced him around to the guys.
These two events have left an indelible connection in my mind between you and Sean Avery. Sorry coach. In spite of his faults, I still love the guy and fondly regard you both as my hockey heros.
Love from California,
Jennifer Anderson

THANK YOU FOR SHOWING THE FACES OF OUR SOLDIERS ON NOV 10 2007, WHOM WE MUST NEVER FORGET, BRING THEM ALL HOME SAFE... ALWAYS THANK A VETERAN AND TO ALL THE POLITIANS WHO THINK THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT MAKE REMEBERANCE DAY A NATIONAL HOLIDAY SHOW SOME RESPECT FOR THOSE WHO ARE TRULY IMPORTANT AND OUR NATIONAL HEROES

Loved your tribute to the troops!!!Keep it up Don!!!

I think that Don Cherry's comments tonight about Sean Avery and Darcy Tucker getting in to it during warm ups were a perfect example of the absurd nationalism that is only hurting the sport of hockey. Why is Avery the one who is out of line and not Tucker? They were both willing combatants. The real answer is that Tucker plays for Toronto and Avery for New York. It's as simple as that. Do all Canadians have such a pathetic, nationalistic, inferiority complex that they must blindly back the Canadian team regardless of the circumstances? Cherry should be ashamed, though if that were ever going to happen it would have happened a long time ago.

Don please answer this question for me what ever happened to when the defencemen pinched he had 2 choices the puck or the man ? What see when the leafs defencemen pinch they panick and forget , the other question is what happened on 2 on 1s the goalie takes the shooter and the defencemen takes the pass away from the attacking player , I had some great teachers Brad Park Randy Carlyl Scott Stevens and some guy name Orr but I think his partner Dallas Smith played more of them lol.
It is that the basic fundementals of the game have changed and coaching has as well , it seem that the game that was played and I coached has changed Fundementals are important a 3to 2 game is just as exciting a 7 to 1 one was over in a couple periods .

A question for Ron McLean:

Is Paul Henderson in the Hockey Hall of Fame?
If the answer is yes....Hooray!
If the answer is no....and then Please Ask Jim Gregory, who is on the selection committee why Henderson is not in the Hall, where he belongs!
If they are putting Gregory in....then Paul deserves to be in there...as he has achieved a heck of lot more for Hockey in the Country than Gregory ever will. I used to love the Leafs, but once he and other's like the late Harold Ballard put their finger-prints all over the team....they have fallen...and hard.
Paul Henderson, if memory serves me correct, scored the winning goal in the last three games of the series that is often..dubbed as the..."Super-Series of the Century" and it also has been dubbed as the "Series" that saved Hockey in Canada.
I watch hockey with intensity...only in the last month of the season...and can't wait for the play-offs....the season is too long....
After all, one can only stomach so much of that Bruin you have as your partner.
Keep on truckin'...

Ken Bedard
Haida Nation, (from Old Massett on Haida Gwaii)
now residing in Port Hardy, B.C.

I totally agree with Mr. Cherry safety first! Second i am greatfull that he publicly tells the french press/ people to stop criticizing Saku. To say that youre captain/organization are bad because he can't speak french is no a great way to take pressure off the Habs. SO WHAT!? He is a great leader and a good role model for the kids.

THE DON RULES!

Je ne suis pas parfait.(I am not perfect)
Headline,Montreal. Just below the fullcolour photo of the dimunitive Habs captain on the front page of a French newpaper. One I might add that is handed out freely at each and every metro (subway) station each morning here.
How typical and at the same time tragic that this stellar and courageous athlete and natural leader, should be the focus of a few shallow, bigoted and self effacing political cretins. These are the same folks that have spent a career of lying, cheating and glad handing their way to their present positions on the political stage. Please someone, drop the curtain! Oh, and since these folks seem to enjoy making hockey a political arena...perhaps they should grade themselves with a measurement of performance often used to gadge a player's overall performance. Plus/minus for example. I recently read in a paper that some 20,000 people have made a mass exodus from Quebec over the past year. These were working folks that contributed to the economy and paid outrageous Quebec taxes. The reason. Language crack down.
Lets see...that would make them... -20,000.
Now, with stats like that,is there anyone who would really want them on their team?
P.S. Now all you folks who support these narrow views of these political faux pas's attitudes. Please take a deep breath and hold it... until Vince Lecavilier arrives to endorse your, "political correctness"?

You people?

Classy comment by a classy guy. Where have I heard that before...

Just because some crazy lawyer says something stupid Saku doesn't mean all "us people" are like him. That would be like me saying that all "you people" are idiots because of something said by Don Cherry on Coach's Corner.

Geez.

Again, and again this minority of French defender of the language , who, supposedly, represent us the French-canadian, just want to make a crying show of how mistreated we are poor quebecer full of complexes,
if you are a part of the Montreal-east tribe you must convert to their isolated religion be against the American, speak French, be against our troop, be green ( for whatever it means) support the French artist and pay a lot of taxes . Mr. Cherry don't be mistaken these media controllers are getting fewer and fewer , they only represent a shrinking minority and they will disappear slowly, cause they are racist sectarian.
The silent majority of French quebecer are embarrassed by these people .
Mr. Cherry stay who you are we love you that way
from a French- Canadian living in Kébékistan

Of course it's safety first! It is at my job anyhow. I'm a construction worker and I was trained not to step into an even slightly potentially dangerous situation without understanding what I could be getting into. Just like going into the corners, KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GETTING INTO!

An observation for Mr. Cherry or hot stovers:
Would it not be a good idea to have the opposing coach choose whether to take an awarded penalty shot or a two-minute penalty. For instance: a team could have just started a power play when they were awarded a penalty shot. Would it not be better to have a two-man advantage for over a minute than a penalty shot. I don't know the stats, but I believe goalies have a big advantage on penalty shot where as a two-man advantage usually results in a goal. Any comment? I think it's worthy of a Mr. Cherry comment. Everyone I talked to agrees with me

Don,
When are they going to wake up.
Why don't they pass a rule if you
injure someone intentional or not
the player inflicting the injury
should not only be fined but not
be allowed to play again until the
injured party is fully recovered
and able to eturn to play again.
Plus not be allowed to practice
either.Afterall the injured player
cannot play or practice.Fair is fair.
Please comment

umm.. lets talk about koivu
i'm so proud of him bcuz
he ever to be best of in Montreal Quebec
NHL Hockey players
So i'm just wanted to say
that my Little brother love him so much
Bcuz my Little brother he watch the Nhl Hockey player when they goin to Start to player hockeys
Umm... i'm just wanted to say that Cuz he is the best i ever seem the best the hockey nhl players!!
anyways i'm thanks him so much and keep player for him

and Cherry the Couchs ever of best

Peace out Everbodys

It seems to me players are facing the glass as a strategy to draw a check from behind (boarding ) penalty. With regards to the language issue , Saku doesn't speak out about the implorable conditions of Quebec's bridges.

Love Grapes, but he blew it. Ron was trying to help, but he wouldn't budge: the players who do the cross-checking are the goons, not the guys who go into the corner facing the puck. Saying that the player who gets crunched-illegally-is making a mistake is wrong from coaching standpoint and from a rules standpoint. Cherry said that players have to think of safety first, then the puck. That was probably the first time in his life he said that; otherwise, he'd be claiming that players lack toughness and are cowardly.

HI Don,
Your right, I feel the same way being an english quebecer at one time. The only thing missing in Quebec now are signs telling non french speakers to sit at the back of the bus.
Norm

Mr Cherry,

First I'd like to note that I really enjoy watching coaches corners and the opinions you offer to the Canadian audience (although I don't always agree with them, they are food for thought). I'm curious what your opinion is on NHL players with criminal records? While I understand minor mischief as kids is relatively acceptable, how do you view others, more serious charges? In Particular Mr. Bell of the Maple Leafs? Mr. Bell pleaded to a hit and run and diving under the influence with Nolo contendere and will serve time in jail for his actions. Hockey players, such like celebrities are in the public spot light and, in my opinion should be held to a higher moral standard as they are role models for youth and aspiring hockey players. Should the NHL implement a zero tolerance policy for blatant stupidity or take a softer stance and forgive and forget.
As a final comment, thanks for supporting the troops,

Kind regards

Peter

Hey Don and Ron. You guys make my Saturday nights. After watching you religiously, I tend to agree with your insights95% of the time. The physical play is my main interest in your topics of conversation. Keeping players safe should be top priority, which in nearly every segment you touch on. In the last couple of years though I have notuiced a surprising trend. The amount of players hurt in fights is amazing. I am a huge fan of hockey fights and cant imagine the game without them. After viewing the Nick Tarnasky and Bryan Allen fight the other night it makes me wonder about the roles the linesman play as the injury to Allen was unmistakably the result of the linesman failing to tie up a player correctly. Are the brunt of the injuries in recent years attributed to merely the increase of size, weight and power of the players or is there more to the story. One last thing, the loss of Pat Quinn coaching style leaves the Leafs utterly useless as far as the physical side of the game goes, Paul Maurice will rarely send out someone to send a message no matter how much abuse his players and especially the goalies are taking. Liberties taken on the stars and the lack of kohonas to retalliate to protect them makes me wonder when will we ever see the day the instigator rule taken out. I am assuming it will take Bettman being out of control. What do you guys think?

We all know how long Saku has been with Montreal, and we know exactly what he has done with his kindness.
He shoulders the responsibility when the team does not perform and takes his personal performance very much at heart as he's a perfectionist. Even when it comes to speaking in french to the public, and those who know him, know well that he speaks some french! The people connect to their team because of their performance and not for their communication skills!
He had endured with his illness and almost losing an eye, but he fought through it for this town and more importantly the love of the game.
Habs captains have become great ambassadors for the team, showing up to today with our current administration and so shall Saku.

Montreal loves you Saku no matter what!

Cheers,
(thanks for publishing this)

Being a hero to your community; through raising funds for life saving medical equipment, by being a role model for cancer patients or by leading a sports team with guts and grace should be enough...HONTE

I think that your comments on how Bergeron is to blame at all are ludicrous. And yes, you did say that we can't have him feeling this is his fault. I don't see how those comments help that at all. The only thing he was guilty of is playing with too much heart. If you don't pay attention to the puck it may look like he turned a little. Bad timing, Definitely. There's no question Jones was punished more heavily because of the injury. That is a hit that needs to be eliminated, and is considered a good defensive play when nobody gets hurt. You can't eliminate that type of play when its only called when a guy falls disturbinly into the boards and doesn't get up. Any time the center of a guys back gets hit hard it should be a penalty and that hasn't been the case. The last thing I'm trying to do is put more blame on Jones, but maybe the NHL should look closer at those plays, and calling them consistently. Since, if Jones doesn't make contact and Bergeron spins out and puts that pass out front into the net then he would undoubtedly get an earful on the bench. Its the type of contact that needs to be addressed by the LEAGUE. I wish both players the best, in their mental and physical recoveries. Thank you. Bruce.

Don: Great examples on how Bergeron might have played the puck and took the hit, with one major problem. All the footage was of players in the corners. Bergeron was skating towards the boards indirectly behind the net. He wasn't in the corner. I guess Bergeron's "mistake" as Don refers to it, was playing the puck. He says Jones wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't finish the check. Would Bergeron be doing his job, if he didn't play the puck? Don and lackey MacLean, get your heads out of the sand. Jones saw his (Bergeron's) numbers and put his forearm behind Bergeron's head and drove him into the boards. Oh, the indignity of Jones having to watch the player he nearly maimed lie motionless on the ice for 10 minutes before being carried off on a stretcher. And then to add insult to Jones's sufferings, an outrageous two-game suspension.
If your going to show clips, find some that are relevant to the play and stop making excuses for inexcusable hits from behind.
Frank

Thank you for supporting Koivu. You spoke exactly my sentiments.

About Koivu and his inability to not speak French well enough for the stupid Quebec media and politicians. He speaks three languages, with French being weak. Yes he speaks English better because in Europe, in case the separatists in Quebec don't know, English is taught very early in schools. Everyone wants to speak English because it is the international language. With that being said, how about Canadian players who go to Europe and play in Austria, Sweden and Russia. You don't hear these countries complain about them not being able to speak the mother tongue. Everybody in the world understands a good play or a good goal. Hockey players don't have to speak to the media, they are paid to play hockey and thats all we should expect from them. I get sick every time I hear the French language issue from Quebec. How would the people from La Belle Province feel if the American media commented about French Canadian players not being able to speak English well enough for the American fans.

Hello Mr. Cherry, I have to say that I do not agree with you on the Koivu case. Indeed Saku is a great player and he has well represented the Canadiens over the years. He is also a role model for the sick children's that have to fight cancer. But the issue here is not against the role he is playing in the community and certainly not a separatist issue. It is simply how much more he could be if he only spoke a minimum of french. He could connect even more with is fans. I will leave you on these notes, what if Mario lemieux who has also battled against cancer would not speak English, would ha have been such an impact with the Pittsburgh fans? And what if Mats Sundin could not speak English?

Regards,
Frederick

Hi, I wrote before and never saw any reply but I guess there is nothing to add to my frustration of not having the Montreal Canadiens every saturday night here in the province of Québec. Last saturday since the Toronto Maple were playing the Canadiens we had a chance to see them, good.
Unfortunately again and again Don Cherry proved to the nation that he was a red neck, he could not say that the Montreal organisation admitted that they were the one who made the mistake in the Koivu situation, Koivu himself said that he should have say a couple of words in French since the French speaking customer at the Bell Center represent about 85% of the crowd, so please just by respect to the crowd, Pierre Boivin admitted they were in fault. But it is too easy for Don Cherry to pinpoint "les frenchies˙". I pay with all the other Canadians Don Cherry salary with my taxes and I refuse to let that situation go without saying it. It is and you know at CBC that it is not the first time so plese do something. Finally I want to add for Mr Cherry that yes we want more Canadian boy in our hockey teams, but what is the problem if they speak a little french too, that would be a lot more than you, also if Koivu or any body else score a goal at the Bell Center we ,the fans, do not care if the player speaks chineese, russian english only, what we care is we want the respect by our own organisation.
And by the way we always give more importance to the fanatic on paper or on the air, we do not need the Guy Bertrand making comments on hockey or Pauline Marois ,who we all know does not say two words in English. Why making a big story when there is no story.
Pierre Lavigne
P.S.excuse my english in case there is mistake in my words, but I know there is no mistake in my idea.

Good day mate.

Well for once I can agree with Don. I don't want to know if he's against bilingualism or french canadians, but he's right about the ones who talk against Koivu. He's done a lot of thing for Montreals kids and deserves our deepest respect.

If anyone should be blamed for the incident, it's not Saku but the Montreal Canadiens organization. It's a lack of respect for francophone fans for sure.

Being Habs' captain does not means the same thing as in The Rocket's era. It's not about being Capitaine Québec, but leading a not-so-classy team to the great honors.

I'm a proud french speaking Quebecer, but involving Saku into a political debate is pointless. I have to agree with Don: it shows insecurity. But hold on Don, you don't know what is to protect your minority language in a so-heavy english-speaking-is-the-only-way majority.

I wonder if you are joking sometimes. I prefer to think so. This way I can watch the best hockey coverage in America peacefully.

À la prochaine funny man!!

Go Habs Go!

Hugo