Toronto, ON

Don Cherry is not backing down regarding his recent rant on fighting in hockey.

Cherry used his popular "Coach's Corner" segment on CBC's "Hockey Night in Canada" broadcast to both blast what he felt were hypocritical former players and then back up the comments a few nights later.

On Saturday the outspoken hockey personality said he's not going to stop talking about fighting but did say he regretted some of his language.

"Maybe one (regret), with the 'puke' stuff with the kids listening and that," Chery said Saturay during the first intermission of the game between the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs. "That's rude, and I shouldn't say it."

On Thursday's edition of "Coach's Corner," Cherry called former enforcers Stu Grimson, Chris Nilan and Jim Thomson "pukes" and "hypocrites" for speaking out against fighting in the sport.

Cherry was criticized for his comments, and the CBC issued a statement Saturday saying it does not agree with the views he expressed.

Kirstine Stewart, the CBC's executive vice-president of English services, said Cherry's comments reflect his own personal opinion.

"While we support his right to voice that opinion, we do not share his position," Stewart said in the statement. "Player safety is a top priority for CBC, and we support the initiatives of the NHL and others in keeping players safe on and off the ice."

Stewart said she spoke Friday with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and delivered a similar message.

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