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Ron MacLean addresses his Hockey Night in Canada future

michael hoad
Writer

There’s plenty of uncertainty heading into the first Hockey Night in Canada broadcast since Don Cherry’s termination on Nov. 11 but one of the biggest questions was answered Friday.

Ron MacLean, Cherry’s longtime co-host on Coach’s Corner, will not be leaving the program. MacLean himself took to social media to shoot down rumours of his departure, clarifying that any desire to move on came while he was still processing the news that shook up the Canadian sports media landscape.

Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun claimed to be hearing MacLean wanted to remove himself from the Saturday night broadcast but remain as the host of Sunday’s Hometown Hockey series.

MacLean issued an apology live on air the day after Cherry’s comments, shouldering some responsibility for not interjecting after the rant. Cherry expressed disappointment in his friend for that apology, but refused to “throw him under the bus.”

Countless people have come to Cherry’s defence, including NHL legend Bobby Orr, Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri, and even Toronto Raptors superfan Nav Bhatia. A small group of protesters gathered outside Rogers headquarters Wednesday to voice their displeasure over the 85-year-old’s termination.

It is still unclear how Saturday’s show will unfold, and who —if anyone— will replace Cherry on Coach’s Corner.

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 01: Sportscaster Ron MacLean announces the Top 33 of 100 NHL players before the start of the 2017 Scotiabank NHL Centennial Classic to be played between the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Exhibition Stadium on January 1, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
MacLean has no desire to leave his post. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

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