Don Cherry makes his stance on "absolutely ridiculous" duration of NHL training camps extremely clear

Former Boston Bruins head coach and "Hockey Night in Canada" host Don Cherry captivated hockey audiences for years with his colorful suits and polarizing takes on the game and its players.

While no longer on television following his high-profile departure from CBC and Sportsnet in November 2019, Cherry remains as active as ever with his "Grapevine" podcast, a play on his famous nickname of "Grapes".

In a recent episode of his podcast, Cherry took aim at how NHL clubs schedule their respective Training Camps. He stated his belief that not only are they too short, but it could be a reason why there are currently so many injured players.

"There's like close to 100 guys on the injured list now in the national holidays, 100, I don't know. Why do you think that is that?" he asked.

There's a difference between being in game shape and practice shape. And how would I say this? You don't push the players too far, or they go, just quit on you," he continued. "I think the training camp is too short. I think it's absolutely ridiculous that they only have three or four days to get ready and they're right into the game. Yeah, they're right into exhibition games."

Never one to shy away from his views, Cherry is holding firm to his belief that Training Camps aren't long enough.

Don Cherry was removed from CBC and Sportsnet following controversial comments

Despite being a fixture on the air for decades, Cherry was removed from his role on "Hockey Night in Canada" following his controversial comments regarding immigrants not wearing poppies around Remembrance Day.

"At least you can pay a couple bucks for a poppy," he said. "You people... you love our way of life, you love our milk and honey, at least you can pay a couple bucks for a poppy or something like that."

"These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada, these guys paid the biggest price."

Cherry soon doubled down on his comments, saying he didn't regret what he said and that he meant it.

"I know what I said and I meant it. Still do. Everybody in Canada should wear a poppy to honor our fallen soldiers," he said.

"I did not say minorities, I did not say immigrants. If you watch Coach's Corner, I did not say that. I said 'everybody.' And I said 'you people,"' Cherry said.

"Irish, Scotch, anybody that's newcomers to Canada, and they should wear a poppy to honour our dead from the past, whether they're Scotch or Irish or English, or where they come from."

While there was plenty of backlash against Cherry's comments, he also had considerable support from fans who agreed with him.