Don Cherry speaks to the back row even while on the phone.

Ron MacLean is the master of cutting in whenever necessary.

The two Coach's Corner hosts of CBC's Hockey Night in Canada spoke exactly as you'd expect while on a conference call with media yesterday to discuss the upcoming Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada in Whitehorse from Feb. 8-12.

MacLean's father, Cpl. Ron Sr., was stationed at CFS Whitehorse for his son's formative years, starting when he was four years old in 1964.

The younger MacLean still remembers those years playing shinny in Whitehorse when he plays in adult leagues with what he called a great group of buddies.

"So the fact that it happened in the Yukon that I got hooked on the sport, and I'm now 50 and still get to enjoy it,” he said, adding that he didn't know what to expect when Whitehorse was announced as hosts for Hockey Day in Canada.

"I honestly thought when we kicked it off that it would make me gag and that we would overdo it and it would be syrupy and the whole bit, and nothing could be further from the truth. All the people who've spent their life around the rink know to call BS, so it's sincere. I just love it. It really has turned out to be a nice salute to a lot of people behind the scenes who make the game.”

The 11th edition of Hockey Day has been themed Trail Blazers, and will showcase stories about hockey and how the game fosters leadership, exploration and innovation.

Cherry pointed out that the Western Hockey League regular-season clash between the Kamloops Blazers and Vancouver Giants at Takhini Arena will be a highlight, as will be the experience of the Petitcodiac Flyers bantam team from New Brunswick, who won a competition for an all-inclusive trip to Whitehorse for the festivities.

Cherry said he enjoys watching the young players as much as the NHLers.

"I go out two or three times a week with the kids, the minor midgets, and then I watch the bantams – and that to me is hockey,” Cherry said. "(Somebody asked)

‘Why aren't you home watching the Leafs?' and I said, ‘No, this is where I get the feel … these kids are giving it 100 per cent, they love hockey, they're not spoiled yet, as they say, and I'm sure it's the same way in the Yukon, the kids up there; and the kids from New Brunswick can hardly wait to play the local team up there.

"It's going to be a lot of fun,” he added. "That to me is hockey; I love watching the kids and seeing the joy in their hockey and how they give it 100 per cent.”

It probably goes without saying the two will play up Yukon history.

"Ron, you should tell them about our little surprise we're going to have with the Mad Trapper,” Cherry said.

"Albert Johnson,” MacLean cut in. "Coaches Corner, you won't want to miss. We were trying to figure out where to place it in the broadcast, but I think we'll save it.

… I'm the Mad Trapper and Don is with the … I guess the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at that point.”

MacLean left it at that.