Three former NHLers who were recently criticized by Don Cherry are still upset and say they are considering taking further action after he failed to offer an adequate apology.
During a segment on CBC's "Hockey Night in Canada" last week, Cherry called former enforcers Stu Grimson, Chris Nilan and Jim Thomson "pukes" and "hypocrites" for voicing their opposition to fighting in hockey.
Cherry later apologized for using the word "pukes," saying it was too harsh to use on a show being watched by children, but did not apologize for his other comments about the former professional hockey players.
The trio lashed back on Tuesday, releasing a statement through Kay Griffin Enkema, PLLC, a Nashville law office where Grimson now works as a lawyer.
"During CBC's broadcast of Coach's Corner on October 6, 2011, Don Cherry inserted himself into a prominent debate involving the recent tragic deaths of three (3) NHL players, drug addiction, alcohol abuse and mental illness," the statement read.
"In doing so, Mr. Cherry targeted the above-named individuals, some of whom have suffered from such diseases, as a result of views they previously expressed. Mr. Cherry's comments were more than inappropriate; they were baseless and slanderous.
"Furthermore, Mr. Cherry's subsequent attempt to qualify his comments on October 8, 2011, was entirely ineffectual. Mr. Cherry's conduct throughout has demonstrated a complete lack of decency.
"In light of the damaging and inflammatory nature of Mr. Cherry's comments, Messrs. Grimson, Nilan and Thomson are considering further recourse."
During the first regular season edition of "Hockey Night in Canada" last Thursday, Cherry claimed summertime deaths of former fighters Derek Boogard, Rick Rypien and Wade Belak were being been misused as a soapbox by those with an anti-fighting agenda.
"You people that are against fighting, you should be ashamed of yourselves," Cherry said. "You took advantage of that to make your point on fighting. You should be ashamed of yourself for doing something like that."
Cherry then singled out Grimson, Nilan and Thomson for suggesting that players who fight are prone to substance abuse.
Grimson says he was shocked by the sudden attack, telling CTVNews.ca on Tuesday that he has never said anything that Cherry could consider anti-fighting.
"I was completely astounded," Grimson said. "I felt a bit like the victim of a drive-by shooting."
"I never said any of the things Don said that I said. I have never taken a position where I have come off anti-fighting," he said, adding that he never suggested playing the role of a hockey enforcer led to a life of addiction.
