Don Cherry visits Vancouver on eve of Paralympics, predicts sledge hockey win

VANCOUVER, B.C. - Canada's best-known hockey commentator says this country's gold-medal good luck will continue through the upcoming Paralympics.

CBC Hockey Night in Canada's Don Cherry was a guest speaker at a Paralympic luncheon in Vancouver on Wednesday.

Cherry told about 400 people in attendance that he's certain the Canadian sledge hockey team will join the men's and women's Olympic squads in winning gold.

The outspoken sportscaster, who shunned his usual wacky attire for a rather stylish suit, entertained the crowd with self-deprecating stories from his coaching days, including the time he was fired by the Boston Bruins.

Among those joining Cherry at the luncheon was Paul Rosen, goaltender for the Canadian sledge hockey team, who also predicted his squad would win a second consecutive Paralympic gold medal.

Rosen and the rest of the Canadian team will open the Paralympics with a game against Italy on Saturday.