Don Cherry to talk about future role on Hockey Night in Canada under Rogers

TORONTO – Don Cherry has mostly kept his own counsel since Tuesday’s announcement that Rogers Communications is getting NHL broadcast rights, but that will change tonight.

Cherry said earlier this week that he will address the future of “Hockey Night in Canada” and what his role might be.

Rogers is getting national broadcast and multimedia rights to all NHL games starting next season.

The CBC will continue to broadcast “Hockey Night in Canada” for the next four years but Rogers will have editorial control of the show.

That has raised questions about the future of on-air personalities such as Cherry and his sidekick Ron MacLean.

Cherry has said he’s been left out of any behind-the-scenes discussions and doesn’t know what’s going on, but the 79-year-old brushed aside speculation he might retire.

Rogers has indicated it will discuss with Cherry if he wants to be part of the new broadcast.

Cherry joined “Hockey Night in Canada” full-time in 1981 and CBC started the “Coach’s Corner” segment shortly after his arrival.

Before he started in broadcasting, Cherry had a lengthy hockey career culminating in a four year coaching stint with the NHL’s Boston Bruins.