As media? Yes.

As a builder? No. What has he really done other than coach for a few years? Being owner of the IceDogs is hardly much of a contribution to hockey.

I say for media not builder.
Next thing you Roenick will be in for a builder. As there is no way Roenick
is making it in as a player.

Being selected as a media honouree is a much, much different thing. Still a great honour, but media inductees are not part of the wall and are not honoured alongside players, builders and the like.

I’d put Cherry on the wall. Yes, he’s controversial, but he has become an incredibly influential part of the game in this country.

1) This begs the question what does the term ‘builder’ imply here? Had the impression it was an honor for GM’s/owners, etc who directly contributed to the building of a sucessful team.
2) What Cherry has ‘built’ is a very entertaining persona. Sure its fun to watch and he probably gets great ratings, but isn’t this what the broadcastes wing was built for??

After examining the builders list, Cherry is just as deserving as say Harold Ballard etc…

…than putting John Madden in the football HOF.

His contribution to hockey as a coach and a broadcaster (and thankfully not fashion sense) has transcended the game.

…but you can’t ignore the fact that he is a hockey icon and one of the most influential figures in hockey for several decades. Whether he goes in as a builder or media isn’t that relevant. Let the induction committee decide.

Yes, he definitely has the status and the influence (both positive and negative) to be in. He’s been so important for so long. And this comes from someone who thinks he’s a despicable racist buffoon who has an extremely outdated view of what constitutes a decent man, very rarely has anything intelligent to say and is a very annoying speaker to boot.

In a discussion on Cherry yesterday, I asked someone to list all of Don’s achievement in hockey to assess his Hall Pf Fame merits. This poster, named krob, supplied on long impressive list, and I objectively critiqued each point. His listings are the hyphenated quotes; my thoughts follow. I think the following lays it all out quite fairly.

-“He has brought the game into households that otherwise wouldn’t have watched it.”

I don’t know about this. I tune in to watch HNIC. Some people do tune in for Cherry. I do know a guy that used to tune in just for Coaches Corner. He wouldn’t be alone. I wouldn’t go so far as to say he’s made HNIC prosper, but he’s a big part of it’s entertainment value. But they made him, and not vice versa.

-“He always advocates respect on the ice.”

100% true, and in his forum he should absolutely do that. He does an excellent job at it too!

-“He praises and thanks the grass roots of Canadian hockey at every opportunity (the several hundred thousand volunteers).”

I was one of those volunteers for 11 years. Cherry is a great booster of all levels of hockey. He’s brought great recognition and acknowledgement to those selfless folks who put in all kinds of time into this facet of our social fabric. Just don’t confuse Canadian Minor Hockey thriving because of Don Cherry, though. It’s a success because of the individuals involved. That said, his promotion of it likely has helped flow a good bit of Government money into keeping it healthy.

-“He brings a personality that has been marketable enough to make him known even south of the border and his contribution to the income of the game is something that is a benefit to every player and employee of the league.”

Don isn’t seen south of the border the same way he is perceived up here. I’m sure his contribution has brought some income into the NHL, but I doubt that it is in a big way that would make a significant difference. His marketable personality has benefitted himself though.

-“He teaches the basics of the game and is always quick to point out the things a player should never do (shoot wide on an odd man rush, block shots improperly, screen your own goalie, play the body not the puck, take away time and space, stand your ground or lose it forever,etc).”

True, not to sound condescending, but he’d make an ideal minor hockey coach with what he preaches, and how he gets it across.

- “He teaches the importance and relevance of being a teammate not just a member of a team.”

Don’s always been “All for one and one for all.” There is no other way to be in a team sport.

-“He teaches honour, loyalty, respect to those who paved the way for you, he teaches to never forget your roots and where you came from.”

Absolutely. Those are always good manners and traits to pass along.

-“Here is one some of you harping about compassion will hate to swallow…for all of his toughness he is brought to tears nearly every week for a soldier, or minor hockey player,etc he doesn’t even know….a real animal and neandrathal that Cherry is…how many hockey men cry on national tv and then have the balls to get right back up there and preach tough hockey.”

That is very true. I’ve seen it more than once. He’s never been an animal and he’s old school perhaps, but hardly neanderthal. His compassion could be extended to some other areas, but I digress.

-“Is there a bigger supporter of Canadian hockey alive…..would the world juniors and national teams be fawned over as they are without Don backing them for so long? Think about it…were they before Don?”

There isn’t a more popular supporter of the Canadian Juniors than Cherry, but before he came onto coaches corner, the program Hockey Canada runs as it is now, didn’t exist in the same form. It has grown exponentially because it is expertly run. Because it is run so well it has become successful and Canada has regularly won gold medals. Because Canada has become a perennial winner, it is televised and covered in great detail. Sorry, but all of this happened without much more than a thumbs up from Cherry as far as I can tell.

-“How many of you remember sitting around listening to Don with your parents or friends to a memorable episode of Coaches Corner.”

Of course, but that’s entertainment.

-“Don also teaches humility as he always the first to admit that his players and especially Bobby Orr are a main reason he is where he is today.”

Yes he teaches humilty, but he’s hardly in a medium where he can practice it consistently.

-“Don helps promote the Prospects game every year along with Bobby Orr to give the game more credibility and star power (you know those kids listen to every word he says).”

Yes, he does help promote it, but again, it would all run fine and dandy without him. I watch it to see the kids, personally.

-“Don teaches persistence and tells kids to never give up and stop listening to people who tell you you can’t …..he preaches for parents and coaches to never give up on kids.”
And that’s the right thing to do.

-“Don preaches the benefits of hard work and the importance of always giving your all and putting the sweater before the player.”

As it should be.

-“Don tells parents to stop meddling with coaches and push their kids too hard and always emphasizes the importance of fun in the game…even at the professional level….he is always quick to show clips illustrating comeraderie and sportsmanship.”

And those aren’t negligable points. As a hockey, that’s advice I need once in a while too.

I’ll toss one in of my own. Cherry has created a pretty cool chain of restaurants in his name, that has given employment to thousands of Canadians, my niece included.