Don Cherry called the Hurricanes "a bunch of jerks" for their post-win celebrations on Saturday, and Carolina responded with a T-shirt embracing his criticism.
We’re a bunch of jerks and we have the shirts to prove it.
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) February 17, 2019
Available later this week at The Eye. pic.twitter.com/TEefqETEau
Though Cherry's stance hasn't changed, he has no issue with the T-shirts.
“I don’t mind it, if they want to have fun with it,” Cherry said with a laugh, according to the National Post. “I’m sure some of the players are embarrassed but when the owner (Tom Dundon) says ‘be more entertaining,’ I guess that’s what they call entertaining.”
The Hurricanes have played duck-duck-goose, mocked a walk-off home run, and acted as bowling pins among other creative celebrations after home wins.
“We in Canada, at least most of the people I know in Canada, revere the game. I don’t think there’s any secret there,” said Cherry. “I guess I’m the only guy who said it, but that’s why I said it. I mean it, I mean every word.
“We call the Stanley Cup the Holy Grail in Canada and here we have these jerks doing a pantomime after wins.”
Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour, who Cherry called a "straight shooter," said he doesn't care what others think about his team's celebrations.
“To me, that demeans the sport," Cherry continued. "It’s like pro wrestling, almost.”
