The Don Cherry Story by his daughter Cindy Cherry

In The Don Cherry Story, Cindy Cherry offers a warm, intimate, and often disarmingly candid portrait of her father, the famously polarizing hockey commentator Don Cherry. Rather than attempting a traditional biography, Cindy constructs the book as a deeply personal memoir—one shaped as much by her own experiences growing up in the Cherry household as by Don’s public triumphs and controversies. The result is a narrative that feels refreshingly unfiltered, emotional, and unmistakably authentic.

The book shines brightest when Cindy writes about the man behind the loud suits and louder opinions. She paints Don as a fiercely loyal, deeply caring family figure who was shaped by hardship, unwavering work ethic, and an immense love for the game of hockey. She recounts the difficult years in minor-league coaching, the challenges Don and her mother faced, and the unexpected ascent to national fame through Hockey Night in Canada. These personal stories give the reader a richer, more human version of Don than what Canadians saw on television.

Cindy is equally compelling when tackling the more complicated chapters of her father’s life, including the fallout from his public controversies. She approaches these moments with unapologetic loyalty but also surprising nuance, describing not just Don’s reactions but the toll they took on their family. Her perspective adds emotional dimension to events that were often flattened or sensationalized in the public eye.

While the memoir’s focus sometimes drifts toward Cindy herself, these sections never feel unnecessary; instead, they deepen the book’s central theme—how Don’s life and legacy were inseparable from the people who loved him most. Her storytelling is conversational, heartfelt, and infused with the humour and stubbornness that have long defined the Cherry family.

Ultimately, The Don Cherry Story succeeds as both a personal tribute and a thoughtful exploration of an iconic, complicated Canadian figure. Fans of Don Cherry will find much to appreciate, but even readers unfamiliar with his career will be moved by this honest and affectionate family portrait.