Don Cherry used his Coach's Corner segment on Hockey Night in Canada to respond to criticism from a Toronto neurosurgeon who said Cherry's support for an aggressive style of hockey is dangerous for the game.

Dr. Charles Tator said during a seminar on concussions last week in Regina that commentators like Cherry are contributing to serious injuries in the sport.

"He's a negative influence," Tator told CBC News. "The aggressive, lack-of-respect hockey that he preaches — we need to get that out of the game."

Cherry held up a copy of a front-page National Post story about the comments and said, "I've always been taught that if you dish it out, you've got to take it. And I usually take it. But this is totally unfair for this guy to say that I'm responsible."

Tator, an expert on brain injuries, said hockey culture needs to change and Cherry could influence that.

"If he took a strong stand against no hits to the head, it would help," Tator said. He noted that years ago, Cherry added his voice to a move to reduce serious neck injuries in hockey by stiffening rules about hitting from behind.

This week, Sherali Najak, executive producer of Hockey Night in Canada, also responded to Tator's comments, saying Cherry's record of safety and respect in hockey speaks for itself. "Everyone who has watched Don over the years knows this, and any indication otherwise is misguided and a short-sighted misrepresentation of the facts," he said.

"I would hate to think Dr. Tator is doing it just to get his name in the paper," Cherry said Saturday. "I've always thought doctors were above all that stuff. I tell you, evidently I was wrong."

Co-host Ron MacLean noted that Tator had apparently tried to get in touch with Cherry, and suggested the two might have a valuable conversation.

"I don't want to talk to him," Cherry said, before moving on to analyze a recent hit to the head, suffered by the Washington Capitals' Mike Green.