Why Pierre McGuire Deserves Don Cherry's Throne

This article discusses something undoubtedly Canadian but, since most hockey fans are in touch with Canadian hockey culture, it's relevant for the entire puck-loving community.

Whereas the NFL had John Madden, pro hockey has Don Cherry for the role of village elder or ambassador for the sport. Headlining Coach's Corner during the first period intermission every Saturday night for roughly 30 years, he's been the face of Hockey Night in Canada. He's been labelled a bigot, a loud mouth, arrogant, pro-violence -- but also considered a real guru with wily insight into parts of the sport few fans or even sportsbook sharps understand.

But something happened. Cherry got old. His offensiveness trended upward as his ability to provide useful commentary diminished. He wound up on seven-second delay. Now, he spends half his telecast giving teary-eyed retrospectives for fallen Canadian soldiers. It's a noble pursuit but not what viewers want from their national hockey icon.

No matter how much we love Cherry or his Rock 'em Sock 'em videos, let's face it. He's finished and it's time to pick a successor.

Is there anyone better than Pierre McGuire? He's the man for the job and here are some reasons why.

HE HAS CROSS-BORDER APPEAL. McGuire does color commentary not just for Canadian broadcasts, but for NBC's weekend hockey broadcasts in the winter. That gives him the type of recgonizability you want in a hockey guru.

HE KNOWS THE GAME. Like Cherry, McGuire comes from a coaching background. He was an assistant coach with the early-1990s Pittsburgh Penguins, winning two Stanley Cups, and went on to coach the Hartford Whalers. He provides very specific analysis of the play during a telecast and has a knack for picking up on the "little" things the same way Cherry always did. That lends very well to Coach's Corner analysis.

HE'S LOUD! IN YOUR FACE! WHAMMO! Just like Cherry, McGuire is an extremely colorful personality. He gets excited, yells things like "Whammo!" and loves labelling guys "Monsters." That too fits the requirements of a hockey analysis king.

YOU LOVE HIM OR HATE HIM; THERE'S NOTHING IN BETWEEN. He's good TV. Some people love McGuire's excitability, catch-phrases and outspoken personality. Others find him annoying, think he plays up an "act" and call him biased toward certain teams and players. If that doesn't sound like Don Cherry, nothing does.

Here's hoping the CBC wakes up and extends an offer to Pierre when Cherry's time ends. I'd wager on it happening in my sports betting picks.