Bettman Declines to Weigh in on Cherry, Says MacLean ‘Spoke From the Heart’

Ron MacLean (L) sits beside Don Cherry as Rogers TV unveils their team for the station's NHL coverage in Toronto on March 10, 2014. MacLean addressed Don Cherry's dismissal during the first intermission of Saturday's "Hockey Night in Canada" broadcast. The Canadian Press/Chris Young

TORONTO—NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Sportsnet broadcaster Ron MacLean “spoke from the heart” during his monologue on “Hockey Night in Canada” over the weekend.

MacLean opened the first intermission segment on Saturday night, the first since Don Cherry was fired last week, by speaking alone on camera for nearly five minutes.