(Rogers Hometown Hockey promotional photo)

By Troy Gillard

Red Deer native comes home

Lessons learned as Ron MacLean comes home for Hometown Hockey

Nov 30, 2019 | 11:45 AM

It’s no secret that the past few weeks have been tumultuous for Ron MacLean.

His 34-year on-air partnership with Don Cherry came to a sudden end following Cherry’s controversial comments that led to him being fired from Hockey Night in Canada and Coach’s Corner.

MacLean received his own share of criticism from those who were disappointed with his handling of the incident. It’s been quite a learning experience for the 59-year-old Red Deer native.

“Obviously, it’s been kind of a horrible few weeks,” he said. “You can certainly look at the education we’re all receiving. The opportunity to think about things is never a bad thing.

Chantel Hebert (a CBC political pundit) said that if anything rings true in politics it’s that watershed events take on a life of their own and control over them moves quickly beyond the grasp of those who set them in motion.”

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MacLean says that through it all, it’s been fascinating to see the power of social media and the ability for everyone to have a voice.

“It’s not beyond my experience to be in the crosshairs of major stories, but it’s definitely a bit beyond my education. So the best thing to do is sit back and keep listening.”

MacLean says he’s grateful, especially given the events of these past few weeks, to be coming home this weekend for the latest Rogers Hometown Hockey tour stop.

“Red Deer taught me a lot about all these things. Wayne Barry (former radio programming director) taught me to let the guests be the star. Right from the get-go, I was given schooling in understanding that whenever you have confused times, it’s usually a clash of ignorance.”

The goal of Rogers Hometown Hockey, MacLean says, is to celebrate the roots of the game and the people in hockey who’ve had a positive influence on others.

“My hockey mentors were Cec Swanson and Wynne Dempster, these were fantastic humans (where) at the heart of their ethos was a kind of kindness and teaching that superseded winning,” he recalls fondly.

“Dave Manning was the same way with the Optimist Chiefs. And even our women’s game was really powerful when I was a boy growing up in the 70s. To see Wendy Wittchen, who was Terry Wittchen’s sister, he was Brian Sutter’s ‘second in command’ on the Red Deer Rustlers. (He was) a great hockey player, but Wendy was better.

“It’s a great feeling to come home and sort of feel the shelter of all the goodness that was in hockey in the city.”

MacLean will be in Red Deer on Sunday to host the live national TV broadcast (4 p.m.) for the NHL game between the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens.

“We just love shining a light on the people who are the backbone of the game. Whether it’s a devout fan, a penalty box attendant or public address announcer, so many people are the backbone.”

More on the full list of Rogers Hometown Hockey festivities can be found here.