Newbury shouldn't have been sent down by the Leafs

Hi Don and Ron,

My son's and I often watch hockey night in Canada and we enjoy your show.

My son's 10 year old A3 hockey team is currently playing in an outdoor hockey tournmanet this week. On Saturday night, my son Paul, fell awkwardly and broke his leg (tibia).

Both his teamates and Paul are quite emotional right now. On Sunday morning, Paul's team went on to beat the no.2 team in the league 7-2. One of the coaches and his son came by our house after the game where the news of the win put a big smile on Paul's face.

Wondering if you could put a plug in for Paul's team this weekend - Dakota 10A3 Lazers playing in the Windsor Community Club outdoor tournament.

Not sure if this is appropriate, but we have video of Paul's incident - where he broke his leg. It was just one of those things where the stick of the opposing player went in between his skate and his boot.

Our family would really like to say that the Dad's and Mom's on Paul's team have really shown a lot of compassion and class in making Paul's injury a big deal. Our coach (Coach Miles) and his son Cam visited us in the hospital waiting room right after the game and has been in contact with us since it happened. Our manager (Manager Chris) helped me get Paul stablized and transported to the hospital and also has been in contact with us. Our assistant coach (Coach Shawn) took care of Paul's hockey equipment and delivered it back to our home - where he presented Paul with gifts and well wishes from his team. I am positive that there were other acts of compassion and leadership demonstrated behind the scenes.

Hockey fosters community spirit. Great people like the Dad's and Mom's who volunteer to coach or manage are priceless. It is especially so during times like these.

I would like to see a video of some of the greatest moves by Bobby Orr. Maybe grapes could produce one. If he has he may want to comment on where it can be purchased.

Hi, I just wanted to say how much I enjoy coaches corner. Ron MacLean is a gentleman and a very knowledgeable hockey person, and I respect him. Don Cherry, is the same and I want to thank Don for his support of our military. As a military man myself, I feel we are being acknowledged the way we should for what we do, Don has said more to me without seeing or knowing who I am, then any military leader in the 28 years of service. Don, I can't speak for everyone, but I am quite sure that most if not all of the military want to say THANK YOU for keeping us in the public eye and your genuine words of support and concern mean alot. God Save the Queen

well it looks like another year the leafs will not make the playoffs.how many more years will it be till we see a healthy team and a cup in T.O.all i no is they best try and keep sundin he and tucker as far as i am concerned they are the hart an soul of that team .ya tucker is not playin as well as he has but then again neather is blake .i think if they still want to make a push at the play offs put them 3 on the same line.they will work well togeather.and please get a new get rid of morice or what ever ya call him.and the people have to get off mccabes back he is the best D T.O has seen in years.hey don why dont you take the rains in T.O you could do it you are the best and no how to build a team.well anyway go T.O weather you make it this year or not this fan here will be a leafe fan for life love you guys you are the best win or lose

I have been watching Don on the coach's corner every saturday night on my NHL center ice programming on my cable network. When I went to school on the Maine U.S. Bordering ST.Stephen NB I used to watch him every Saturday night. He is a legend in Boston. I totally agree with him on the Newbury issue. He always sticks up for the worker, the soldiers and the honorable hockey players.

Well i would say that sending Newbury down was unfortunate but maybe, hopefully, when Fletcher unloads all those floaters and huge contracts, they will call Newbury back up and allow him to play far more and give him a decent chance to strut his stuff. but that don't take away from the fact they should have at least given the kid another game and see if he produces again. i would hope they wont do the same thing to Moore and Earl. those kids are playing very hard and have heart. at least they have guts and play like they should with determination and dedication.

i have a question for Mr. Cherry...do you think that any team in the NHL today, with a European captain, can win a Stanley Cup? because as far as i know, no Euro captain has ever led his team to a Stanley Cup.

Can we please get rid of the instigator rule? just like Justin Timberlake is supposed to be bringing sexy back, i say put don cherry in charge and let him bring hockey back, to the way it is supposed to be. rather than having Bettman making a new rule next year that the players can only hit each other with purses.

Thank God for Don Cherry. *Thumbs Up*

Who cares what the Leafs do with their players as long as they make huge profits. The big question is: when is CBC going to dump the Leafs from Hockey Night in Canada and use a team that's interested in winning? Come on Don.... You're a great Canadian with a true "hockey heart" get the ball rolling...

I agree with Don Cherry. Newbury should be given an chance to play more especially after that game against Montreal...

It seems this is nothing new with Toronto with respect to their farm hands but I guess When you recycle GM's what changes.Remember Yannik Perrault with St John's he never got a chance in the bigs until Toronto traded his rights. Patrick Augusta farmhand, how many 50+ seasons did he have in St John's,I guess they could never use his scoring,Andrew McKim in St John's,oh right too small.They have always tried to buy a championship but you would think that 40+ years since they last won that they might try to develop a team with youth such as Newbury, Earl, Steen to name just a few and Kaberle as the anchor...starting now

It seems this is nothing new with Toronto with respect to their farm hands but I guess When you recycle GM's what changes.Remember Yannik Perrault with St John's he never got a chance in the bigs until Toronto traded his rights. Patrick Augusta farmhand, how many 50+ seasons did he have in St John's,I guess they could never use his scoring,Andrew McKim in St John's,oh right too small.They have always tried to buy a championship but you would think that 40+ years since they last won that they might try to develop a team with youth such as Newbury, Earl, Steen to name just a few and Kaberle as the anchor...starting now

Cherry is god! I listen to his weekly surmon and watch him religiously and he knows his stuff.
So you kids out there should be listening to him.

Deja' vu. We have seen this before. Leafs struggle for post season play, insert rookies that have the desire and motivation to work hard to jumpstart their careers. Looks good-we're on a roll... just beat 3 of the best... we are heading in the right direction ...Can this be the answer to our 40+ years of woe? A cinderella team? Hell,why not, after all we need something to believe in..wait, whats that, they sent who down again. Damn, just when things were looking good. Oh well, what's another year?

Cherry is god! I listen to his weekly surmon and watch him religiously and he knows his stuff.
So you kids out there should be listening to him.

I don't have a comment regarding Kris Newbury or Jarome Iginla, however I do want to commend Ron McClean for a job well done in Winkler this last weekend. I spoke with countless people who had the privelage of speaking with Ron and they all said the same thing. "He's a fantastic guy, with the camara rolling or not." Ron, you really proved to me again why your 51 percent of Coaches Corner. Keep up the great work.

Garreth Spenst

Winkler, MB

February, 11th/2008

Dear Editor of the Toronto Star

The Zednik (skate to the throat) accident was a great indication of why neck guards should be warn in the NHL. This incident traumatized hundreds even thousands of spectators, which could have been avoided if wearing the neck guard was mandatory in the NHL. Not wearing a neck guard could cost the life of someone.

It should be mandatory in all hockey organizations to wear a neck guard. If all players were to wear the neck guard, there would be far fewer neck injuries caused by objects (i.e. skate blades) thrashing the neck.

The presidents, CEO’s, owners of teams, and player associations should take the wearing of neck guards seriously and into consideration. The wearing of neck guards could substantial decrease the amount of injury!

Elizabeth Chittim, Bealton, On

This is something i had to do for a class..i thought that i wold be great for don cherry to talk about on coaches corner.!!

toronto seems to make stupid decisions, why change now?

How can Paul Maurice justify sending Kris Newbury back to the Marlies?
Against Montreal he scored a big goal while getting some 'third line' ice time.
* (1st. period only.. 8 min. total/game)
So big deal, he scored a goal. That was quite apparent to even the novice hockey fan/critic. And, it certainly does not, and should not, guarantee him a spot on the roster.
What I see, and Maurice should see, are the 'other' things that Newbury brings to the rink.
Newbury skates well, plays physical, he's not afraid to drop the gloves, he has a wicket slap shot, and can pass the puck with the best the best of them. He fore-checks hard, and back-checks even harder.
Newbury had been getting a paltry 3 minutes of '4th. line' ice time per game, while Maurice gave other young players with 16-18 minutes p/g.
Had Newbury been fortunate enough to play along side the likes of Mats Sundin, he surely would have come away better than a 'minus one' in the 4-2 victory over the Habs. *(Unlike Sundin's sidekicks that night.)
I'm not suggesting Newbury should have 'first line' status. Although Maurice could do worse.
What I am saying is Newbury deserves a "legitimate chance".

Hello Don and Ron! We love you and watch you every sunday morning here in Romania!!!