Cherry rips Hurricanes for post-win celebrations: 'They're a bunch of jerks'

Don Cherry is predictably perturbed about the Carolina Hurricanes' post-win routines.

The longtime "Coach's Corner" pundit went off Saturday night when asked about the subject by broadcast partner Ron MacLean.

"This is the National Hockey League. (Hurricanes bench boss Rod) Brind'Amour is a good coach. These guys, to me, are jerks," Cherry said. "They're still not drawing (fans) ... I'll tell you one thing: They better not do this in the playoffs. What I don't understand is, Brind'Amour's a straight shooter. He always was. This is a joke."

Cherry wasn't done there.

"Young men expressing themselves for (the) joy of winning," he said in a mocking tone. "You don't do this thing in the (NHL). This is professional hockey. What are these guys, jerks or something?"

The 85-year-old former coach suggested there's a time and a place for it.

"If you want to do it, do it before (the game), but that is absolutely ridiculous," he said. "I know all the broadcasters and everything are afraid to say something like that (but the Hurricanes are) jerks (for) doing it."

Cherry finished his rant by calling out Hurricanes captain Justin Williams, who often leads the post-win performances and is one of the biggest defenders of the team's celebrations.

"I know what I'm talking about. You (should) never do anything like that. They're still not drawing (fans). They're a bunch of jerks as far as I'm concerned. Imagine Justin Williams doing stuff like that. Ridiculous."

The Hurricanes changed their Twitter bio shortly after Cherry's comments.

Later on in the evening, Hurricanes defenseman Calvin de Haan tweeted the viral "Don Cherry's piano desk" video from 2011.

Brian Burke has also been vocal in his criticism of the celebrations.

Carolina players Dougie Hamilton and Warren Foegele mimed a walk-off home run Friday night following a victory over the Edmonton Oilers.