"Syph or Gonorrhoea": Don Cherry once frustratingly replied to a reporter's question after Boston Bruins' controversial Game 7 loss to Habs

By Ankit Kumar

Modified Sep 16, 2024 02:45 GMT

Don Cherry has been a very controversial figure in hockey. He played defense for the Boston Bruins from 1954 to 1972. After retiring from hockey, he coached the Bruins and Colorado Rockies until 1980.

On May 10, 1979, Don Cherry and the Boston Bruins lost a tough Game 7 against the Montreal Canadiens. A late "too-many-men" penalty allowed the Canadiens to tie the game. They later won in overtime, ending the Bruins' season.

The loss was hard on Cherry, as the New York Rangers, considered a weaker team, advanced to the Stanley Cup Final. Cherry felt like this defeat had cost his team the Cup.

After the game, a reporter asked Cherry which team he would support in the Final. Frustrated, he replied,

"That’s like asking me what I want, syph or gonorrhea… What do I care?"

Cherry's response was blunt and soon everyone around started laughing because of his answer.

From 1986 to 2019, Cherry co-hosted Coach's Corner on Hockey Night in Canada with Ron MacLean. Cherry always had strong views making him both popular and controversial.

Bruins' 1979 playoff run Don Cherry's last as coach

The 1978-79 season was Cherry's last taste of playoff hockey as a coach. He went on to coach the Colorado Rockies in the 1979-80 season. They finished last in the Smyth Division with 51 points. That campaign proved to be Cherry's last in his coaching career.

He was hired as a studio analyst by CBC for the 1980 Stanley Cup playoff coverage. That kicked off Cherry's 40-year broadcasting career. He was a long-time part of Hockey Night in Canada and had a long-running segment, Coach's Corner.

Cherry would stay on at Hockey Night in Canada until 2019 amid controversy following his statements about immigrants. Since his exit, Cherry has hosted a podcast called The Don Cherry's Grapevine Podcast.