MacLean candid in memoir
I like and respect MacLean a whole lot more.Blessed with quick wit and smarts, MacLean is in year 26 as the ringmaster of Hockey Night in Canada, a Saturday night staple in most Canadian households. You may have caught him and co-host Don Cherry on Coach’s Corner.
I have always enjoyed his strong interview skills and admired him for studying the game and knowing the historic figures inside and out. He and Cherry have had a riot doing their show, and they always end the night over a few cold beers, kept on ice in a hotel room garbage pail.
Cornered is packed with inside accounts from MacLean, who told his story to Kirstie McLellan Day (who also wrote books on Theo Fleury and Bob Probert ). MacLean reveals how his wife, Cari , and he were unable to have children so they have been dog lovers instead of parents.
MacLean, a Red Deer product, cried with fear and joy before his first Coach’s Corner. He and Cherry hardly share the same beliefs, but there is a mutual respect and friendship.
Hall of Fame goalie Ken Dryden has spent time at public functions with both MacLean and Cherry.
“MacLean is often described as Cherry’s perfect foil, but in fact, the reverse is true,” wrote Dryden in a recent Globe & Mail article. “MacLean is Cherry’s perfect set-up man. Cherry goes over-the-top; MacLean catches him and comes back with something that seems almost reasonable – and on it goes. But beneath the shtick of outrageous clothes and bluster is a funny, entertaining character who has something to say. No one survives more than 30 years at the centre of a storm with just shtick.”
Here then, are some of my favourite pieces from Cornered From Cherry, in the foreword, on how MacLean didn’t understand hockey humour in the early going: “I admit I have a hockey player’s idea of humour – cruel. The more you can hurt a guy, the funnier it is. And when it’s your turn, you have to take it on the chin. I only kid people I like. I started to like Ron because he didn’t back down. I appreciated his gumption. The problem was, he wasn’t getting it. He hadn’t realized yet that TV is a tough business. There’s no mercy. You screw up and a lot of people are happy and ready to take your spot...
Parables Red Deer - News
MacLean, a Red Deer product, cried with fear and joy before his first Coach's Corner. He and Cherry hardly share the same beliefs, but there is a mutual respect and friendship. Hall of Fame goalie Ken Dryden has spent time at public functions with both
--“Deer Camp The Musical” — 7:30 pm Feb. 16 at the Grand Opera House, 222 Pearl Ave., Oshkosh. Follow four fearless deer hunters on their annual trek to deer camp. Although they've hunted together for decades, they have yet to bring home a single deer
August Burns Red Monday, Feb. 13. At MacEwan Ballroom, UofC.6p.m. $30.25. PBO. Fab Forever Monday, Feb. 13 and Tuesday, Feb. 14. Part of the Stage West Concert Series. At Stage West, 727 42nd Ave. SE 403-243-6642, stagewestcalgary.com.
CrossRoads Church Red Deer: Refresh
Christmas was two days away and I still had a few things to pick up or so I thought. I headed to Scott’s Parables hoping to find inspiration. I was shopping around looking at the picked-over shelves wondering what on earth made me think there would be anything left on December 23. That’s when it happened. As I was shopping - well really it was aimless roaming - I noticed a familiar friend sitting by the front door of the store. She was busy on her phone but made eye contact with me and motioned me over. She was excited to see me and immediately asked me to join her for a tea. I had told my family I would be only 30 minutes or so and almost hesitated, but she walked with such determination to the café that I followed. I sat, she ordered her tea and then told me she had something for me in her car. Now what you should know is that I haven’t seen this person in three years so I was a little surprised that she had something for me since our meeting each other was so random. She came back in with a sheet of paper but before she showed it to me she explained that she had been out running Christmas errands and felt a sense that she should make Parables her next stop. She said she didn’t understand that feeling because the other store she needed to go to was closer on her route than Parables. She told me she has learned to just obey the Holy Spirit when He prompts her, so she travelled to Parables and sat at the front door waiting for the Spirit to reveal what He wanted her to do, when she saw me. She showed me the paper and continued to explain that a few weeks ago during the night she was awakened and could not sleep until she typed out what God was putting on her heart. She asked Him how many to print and she obeyed. Then she prayed that He would show her who to give them to. She had printed out twelve and I received the last one. I sat very quiet and speechless as I read what was on the sheet.