Hockey icon Don Cherry delivered a dose of his signature humour with a Christmas Day social media post that quickly captured the attention of fans across Canada and beyond.
A Classic Cherry Christmas Greeting
On December 25, 2025, the former Coach's Corner host took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, with a simple yet pointed message. "To all you people out there, Merry Christmas," Cherry wrote, accompanying the text with a photo of himself smiling while carving a holiday turkey.
The post, a playful nod to the controversial "you people" comment that led to his departure from Hockey Night in Canada in 2019, was met with widespread appreciation. Former NHL defenceman and analyst PK Subban responded with a red maple leaf and goat emoji, signifying "Greatest Of All Time."
Cherry, who will turn 92 in February 2026, remains a towering figure in Canadian sports culture. Once voted the seventh-greatest Canadian in a CBC poll, his 38-year run on Coach's Corner made him a must-watch personality, with bars famously quieting down to hear his intermission commentary.
Call for Hall of Fame Recognition and a New Venture
The column by Joe Warmington argues it is "far past time" for Cherry to receive the Foster Hewitt Award for outstanding hockey broadcasting and be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame's broadcasting wing. The piece suggests his 2019 firing has been viewed by many as a mistake, and 2026 would be a fitting year for this recognition.
Meanwhile, a tangible piece of the Cherry legacy is being rebuilt in Parry Sound, Ontario. The long-standing Don Cherry's Sports Grill on Bowes Street closed in September, but a new location is under construction inside the former Parry Sound Mall, now home to The Zone bowling alley and arcade.
Brothers Chris and Darryl Painter, who also run Bobby Orr's famous golf tournament in the area, hold the business license and are spearheading the reopening. They aim to open by the end of January 2026, employing up to 20 people.
"We are very proud of our association with Don," said Chris Painter. "Grapes is an icon and he represents a special place in this country."
A Canadian Institution Reborn
The new grill will operate within a family entertainment complex owned by Sean Held and Jamie Baker, offering a venue for meals, hockey viewing, birthday parties, and arcade fun. The development is highlighted as a positive story of local investment in small-town Ontario, contrasting with economic challenges elsewhere.
As Canada heads into 2026, Don Cherry's unique place in the national fabric—from his viral social media presence to the enduring brand of his restaurants—shows no signs of fading. The column concludes that Parry Sound is back in the "Don Cherry zone," and "you people" are going to love it.
