Doesn't every Canadian have an uncle like this!?

Yes, a hockey post. No, not about the hubs playing hockey.

You will like, I promise!

Ok, for those of you still with me, my small but faithful, hockey-loving readers....

NHL playoffs are in full force. And as much excitement as I have had this past year - well, excitement and full on neurotic behavior - I am always entertained by all that the road to the Stanley Cup can offer.

I know, where did this Texan get that from?! :)

The excitement, the hits and fights, the goals (all of which had waaay too many last night).

And this guy. 

Tally up one more reason I love my Canadian husband. Would have never known this guy if it weren't for him.

Looking sharp, eh?! Gasp, listen to me talking all Canadian like, lol (source)

For those of you aren't familiar, allow me to introduce Don Cherry. One of the most charismatic, abrasive, wildly dressed and passionate sports commentators around.

He is both loved and hated in Canada. Some people can't stand his 'loud mouth' while most others adore him for his ability to stand up for everything that is hockey and that is Canada.

Don Cherry has been around in the broadcasting world for over 30 years, and it doesn't look like he is ready to slow down any time soon.

It just keeps getting wilder and wilder! (sources 1, 2, 3)

He is known countrywide by his unique segment called "Coach's Corner", which runs in the middle of Hockey Night in Canada during the first intermission. Cherry, along with his equally funny side-kick Ron MacLean,  analyze the game's first period, as well as gives tips on various points of hockey, all with MacLean being Cherry's foil. You hear him often say "Now kids, watch this play. Don't do that, never do that" and various other hockey hints to the youngsters tuning in.

He is also a very proud supporter of the Canadian and American troops over in Afghanistan and those in Iraq. Often tearing up when honoring a young fallen soldier. Really, it is quite touching.

But as you can imagine, a man this loud and eccentric, he isn't without controversy. He says things that don't always go over with everyone. Which eventually resulted in the show being put on a 7 second delay, you know, just in case anything were to 'slip'.

OK, this is WELL worth the watch. Can you imagine seeing this on TV nowadays?!!? They would flip!

Don't think that Don Cherry was just some random guy on the street that decided to be a hockey commentator. 

Cherry worked his way in the minors for most of his hockey career, although he did play one game for the Boston Bruins. He had a nice little run as the head coach for the Boston Bruins in the 1970's, and although wasn't the winning-est coach, all of his players loved him. With his style, he would have made one heck of a coach these days. 

Saluting the crowd and most likely making fun of the refs! (source)

He also heavily emphasized the rough and tough aspect of the game, a hard-nosed "Canadian" type of hockey which relies on physical play and a "code" of conduct among the players. He believes that fighting is an integral part of the game as it enforces respect between teams and players, as well as being popular with the public.

This all according to Wikipedia...or just about any Canadian hockey fan. Come on, as long as it isn't your loved one fight, you know it is fun to watch ;)

And with injuries to the body and head getting more severe and more press time, he might be one of the few out there still rooting for a rough game.

My husband would argue that Don Cherry is even more famous for his legendary Rock'em Sock'em Hockey videos. Any good Canadian boy learned how to fight like these best while watching these videos that consisted of a compilation of NHL plays, goals, saves, bloopers, hits and fights, as well as highlights from Coach's Corner, and a recap of the year's Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Who WOULDN'T buy this?! (source)

Nothing like feeding that to an impressionable 6 year old!

Love him or hate him, you have to respect what the man has become. He has never strayed from his ideals and never sold out. Whether that is all an act, or it really is all him. Don Cherry is a living legend, and I know one Canadian and semi-Canadian (I can call myself that, right?) that will idolize him forever.