Chris Nilan is ‘angry’ and ‘appalled’ with comments made by Don Cherry on Thursday night that accused the former NHL tough guy of speaking out against fighting in hockey.
In an interview with Brady & Lang on Sportsnet 590 The FAN Friday morning, Nilan said Cherry was uninformed and crossed the line by calling him and former NHL enforcers Stu Grimson and Jim Thomson ‘pukes’ for suggesting that players who fight are prone to substance abuse. Cherry made the comments during his “Coach’s Corner” segment while discussing the recent deaths of three former NHL players known for fighting.
“At no time have I ever said that alcoholism and drug addiction is linked to fighting,” Nilan said during the radio interview. “He’s obviously uninformed about what he’s talking about. As far as (calling me) a puke for saying I didn’t want fighting in the National Hockey League, I’ve never said that.”
“I’ll clarify my statements I made about fighting once again: I believe that the National Hockey League is in a temperance movement. They really don’t like fighting and I believe they don’t want it in the game. I have said that if they don’t want it in the game, why don’t they just take it out? I’ve never said I wanted it out; I’ve never said I’m against fighting.”
Cherry followed up on his comments on Friday’s HOCKEY CENTRAL AT NOON, saying that he stands by his remarks and would not apologize for making them.
“I never regret anything I say on Coach’s Corner — never,” Cherry said.
The colourful broadcaster then defended his stance on fighting, saying it still has a place in today’s game, especially in struggling markets south of the border.
“Fighting has been in hockey since 1910. If you want to change it, fine, but don’t say it does not deserve to be in the game,” Cherry added. “We can change the game up here and still pack the arenas, but in the other markets, like Columbus, they cheer it and leave the arena talking about it.”
During his interview with Brady & Lang, Nilan said he’s never suggested fighting should be taken out of the game and wants an apology from Cherry for implying it.
“I’ve always liked Don Cherry and I’ve never had a problem with him but it really (expletive) hit me low when he says what he says.
“I’m a big boy. If I go out and say something and I’m going to get criticism for it, that’s fine. If I deserve that criticism, take it like a man. Stand up and take it like a man. The fact of the matter is he’s criticizing me for something I never said. And that’s what hurts.
“I was very angry, considering I never had any problem with Don Cherry. He actually kissed me and told me he loved me on a hockey broadcast one night in Calgary during the Stanley Cup final. I’ve always been friends with Don Cherry. Now, if I have an opinion on something and he doesn’t agree with it, to call me a hypocrite and a puke, is totally uncalled for.”
While Nilan said he is still fine with two players dropping the gloves, he does not support ‘staged’ fighting.
“I’ve never said I don’t want fighting in the game. I’ve always said there’s nothing wrong with two guys dropping their gloves and going at it. Now, do I believe there’s something wrong when a guy calls a guy a week before a game and says, ‘Hey, we’re going to go next Tuesday night’? I think that’s total (expletive) and it’s foolishness.”
Following the deaths of Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien and Wade Belak this past summer, depression and substance abuse among former fighters were looked at as possible contributors. While Nilan did admit to struggling with his own personal demons following his hockey career, he said he never suggested it was related to the role he played on the ice.
“I suffer from the disease of alcohol and drug addiction. I never once blamed it on my hockey career. Yes, I had injuries where I ended up having surgeries after my career; I’ve had quite a few. I did take pain medication which helped me get through the pain that I still suffer from on a daily basis. I don’t whine about it and say, ‘Oh, it was because of hockey,’ no.
“I get addicted innocently enough,” Nilan continued. “I took pain killers and I had a problem. I’ve taken care of it. The National Hockey League helped me and backed me in taking care of that problem. And I take care of that problem every day, on a daily basis. I’ve never, ever made any of the statements (Cherry) eludes to.”
During his 688-game NHL career, Nilan amassed 3,043 penalty minutes.
