Don Cherry appeared at a Halifax luncheon on Wednesday, calling hockey moms the "greatest people in the world."

Approximately 200 Maritime moms and young hockey players filled a hotel ballroom to listen to the commentator from the Coach's Corner segment on Hockey Night in Canada.

The hockey moms were picked by their respective provincial hockey associations to attend the event.

Sporting his trademark colourful jacket and high-collared shirt, Cherry recounted stories of his mother and the times he spent as a young hockey player.

"I played in the American Hockey League where the guys are the toughest guys in the world, grizzled old guys, and they call for their mothers (when they're injured)," he told some 200 Maritime moms and hockey-playing children who packed a hotel ballroom for a luncheon.

"And you should hear them say, 'mom, mom.' It's really something with the mothers."

Hockey mom Valerie Donovan said there's a tremendous amount of support among mothers whose children are involved in the sport.

The Glace Bay, N.S., woman said the support was especially meaningful since the death of her husband two months ago.

"You always feel a certain connection with the other moms because they're the ones that are up early, trying to keep the house [organized], work full time and be the hockey mom," Donovan said.

Cole Harbour, N.S., native Ryan Mitchell, who went to the luncheon with his mom, had his jersey autographed by Cherry. Mitchell, 11, said the experience of meeting Cherry was "just awesome."

"It was great, I love watching Don Cherry on TV after hockey games," he said grinning.  "He's just as I thought Don Cherry would be."

With files from the Canadian Press