CBC SPORTS ONLINE - It's official: Don Cherry will be returning as co-host of Coach's Corner on Hockey Night in Canada.
CBC Sports announced Grapes' return to the show on Thursday, along with fellow HNIC analysts Bob Cole, Kelly Hrudey, Greg Millen and Harry Neale.
Thursday's announcement means the silver-haired Cherry will be back on the air with Coach's Corner co-host Ron MacLean for Hockey Night in Canada's 53rd season.
"We're pleased to have Don, Bob, Kelly, Greg and Harry back for the upcoming season," Nancy Lee, executive director of CBC Sports, said in a statement.
"Our fans have come to expect the highest quality from our show, and these commentators are the best and most insightful in the business."
Cherry's opinionated style has earned him legions of fans as well as a number of critics. He's been accused of crossing the line on several occasions during his 23-year CBC career.
The most recent controversy stemmed from the Jan. 24 Coach's Corner segment, when Cherry, while discussing the merits of protective visors as mandatory NHL equipment, said: "Most of the guys that wear them are Europeans and French guys."
The CBC then placed Coach's Corner on a seven-second delay. The official languages commissioner also investigated Cherry's comments.
CBC Sports also announced that former Vancouver Canucks' president and general manager Brian Burke will be part of its World Cup of Hockey coverage and will be a regular contributor throughout the NHL regular season.
NHL netminder Sean Burke will also serve as an in-studio analyst during the World Cup of Hockey.
"Adding Brian Burke and Sean Burke to our coverage of the World Cup is an added bonus. Sean has played on the international stage for Canada on several occasions and can provide valuable insight," Joel Darling, executive producer of Hockey Night in Canada, said in a statement.
Added Darling: "Brian has proven to be a great guest on the show. His frank and thoughtful comments are sure to add excitement to the World Cup and regular season broadcasts."
The 2004 World Cup of Hockey begins on Aug. 30 and runs through Sept. 14. CBC Sports will air all 19 games of the tournament.
Hockey Night in Canada is scheduled to begin on Saturday, Oct. 16.
CBC Sports announced Grapes' return to the show on Thursday, along with fellow HNIC analysts Bob Cole, Kelly Hrudey, Greg Millen and Harry Neale.
Thursday's announcement means the silver-haired Cherry will be back on the air with Coach's Corner co-host Ron MacLean for Hockey Night in Canada's 53rd season.
"We're pleased to have Don, Bob, Kelly, Greg and Harry back for the upcoming season," Nancy Lee, executive director of CBC Sports, said in a statement.
"Our fans have come to expect the highest quality from our show, and these commentators are the best and most insightful in the business."
Cherry's opinionated style has earned him legions of fans as well as a number of critics. He's been accused of crossing the line on several occasions during his 23-year CBC career.
The most recent controversy stemmed from the Jan. 24 Coach's Corner segment, when Cherry, while discussing the merits of protective visors as mandatory NHL equipment, said: "Most of the guys that wear them are Europeans and French guys."
The CBC then placed Coach's Corner on a seven-second delay. The official languages commissioner also investigated Cherry's comments.
CBC Sports also announced that former Vancouver Canucks' president and general manager Brian Burke will be part of its World Cup of Hockey coverage and will be a regular contributor throughout the NHL regular season.
NHL netminder Sean Burke will also serve as an in-studio analyst during the World Cup of Hockey.
"Adding Brian Burke and Sean Burke to our coverage of the World Cup is an added bonus. Sean has played on the international stage for Canada on several occasions and can provide valuable insight," Joel Darling, executive producer of Hockey Night in Canada, said in a statement.
Added Darling: "Brian has proven to be a great guest on the show. His frank and thoughtful comments are sure to add excitement to the World Cup and regular season broadcasts."
The 2004 World Cup of Hockey begins on Aug. 30 and runs through Sept. 14. CBC Sports will air all 19 games of the tournament.
Hockey Night in Canada is scheduled to begin on Saturday, Oct. 16.
