Don Cherry
A brash, outspoken hockey personality whose bombastic style and signature suits made him Canada's most beloved and controversial television commentator for decades.
Born 1934 (age 92)·Canadian ice hockey player, coach, and commentator·Birthday: February 5·The Silent Generation
Biography
Don Cherry's story is pure hockey folklore. A journeyman defenseman whose NHL career lasted a single game, he forged a reputation as a tough, no-nonsense coach in the minor leagues. His big break came leading the Boston Bruins in the 1970s, where his old-school, physical brand of hockey found success and fervent fans. It was on television, however, that 'Grapes' became a national institution. For over 30 years on 'Hockey Night in Canada', his 'Coach's Corner' segment was must-see TV—a whirlwind of loud suits, unabashed patriotism, and fiercely opinionated, often politically incorrect, hockey analysis. He championed the 'good Canadian boy' and enforcers, frequently clashing with the sport's evolving analytics and safety standards. His firing in 2019 was a seismic cultural moment, ending the run of a figure who was less a commentator and more a volatile, unfiltered embodiment of a certain kind of Canadian id.
The Silent Generation
1928–1945
Born between the Depression and the end of WWII. Too young to fight, old enough to remember. They became the conformist middle managers of the 1950s — and the civil rights leaders who quietly dismantled Jim Crow.
Don was born in 1934, placing them squarely in The Silent Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Don Was Born
The biggest hits of 1934
#1 Movie
It Happened One Night
Best Picture
It Happened One Night
Don's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1934Born
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stars Fell on Alabama" — Jack TeagardenBest Picture: It Happened One Night
1939Started school
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
1947Became a teenager
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1950Could drive
Korean War begins
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,354Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Goodnight Irene" — Gordon Jenkins & The WeaversBest Picture: All About Eve
1952Could vote
Queen Elizabeth II ascends the throne
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,350Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Blue Tango" — Leroy AndersonBest Picture: The Greatest Show on Earth
1955Turned 21
Rosa Parks refuses to give up her bus seat
Gas: $0.29/galHome: $9,550Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Rock Around the Clock" — Bill Haley & His CometsBest Picture: Marty
1964Turned 30
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1974Turned 40
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1984Turned 50
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1994Turned 60
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2004Turned 70
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2014Turned 80
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2026Age 92 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Coached the Boston Bruins to four division titles and two Stanley Cup Finals appearances in five seasons.
- Hosted the 'Coach's Corner' segment on Hockey Night in Canada for over 30 years, becoming its most recognizable personality.
- Won multiple Gemini Awards for his work as a sports broadcaster in Canada.
- Authored several bestselling books on hockey and his life in the sport.
Did You Know?
He owns a chain of restaurants called 'Don Cherry's Sports Grill' across Ontario.
His trademark flamboyant suits are custom-made, and he has never worn the same one twice on air.
He played only one regular-season game in the NHL, for the Boston Bruins in 1955.
He is an accomplished trumpet player and once considered a music career.
“I'm not here to be a diplomat. I'm here to tell it like it is.”
