INSIGHTFUL READING FOR HOCKEY BUFFS
Canada is back in the good, old hockey game. From rising Stanley Cup contenders in Winnipeg, Toronto and Calgary to the yuletide hype of the world juniors, interest in the game’s past, present and future continues to surge with fans of all ages. Which leads to another banner season of hockey publications on all subjects on and off the ice. Here’s a sampling for last-minute Christmas gift shopping. As always, books are cheaper than buying hockey equipment, they’ll fit under the tree and the family dog won’t eat them, writes Lance Hornby. THE HALL
Kevin Shea
Griffintown, 154 pages
$49.95
What hockey fan didn’t make a pilgrimage to the Hockey Hall of Fame back when it sat on a nondescript lot on the Exhibition grounds in Toronto?
It has now spent 25 years at its tourist-friendly downtown home and a lot more Cup winners, famous faces and displays have added to its lustre. There is no better tour guide than Kevin Shea, who has been with the “new” hall in various capacities since the 1990s.
This covers how the hall concept came about in the 1940s (many purists didn’t want it in Toronto), its days at the Ex and the decision to move to the beautiful — but haunted — Bank of Montreal building on Front Street. Inductees, trophies, artifacts and the unsung work being done at the satellite resource centre are also highlighted.
MY STORY IN PICTURES
Bobby Orr
Viking, 224 pages
$37
Believe it or not, Bobby Orr was in a few more frames than his high-flying overtime winner that culminated Boston’s four-game sweep of the St. Louis Blues in the 1970 Stanley Cup final.
This captivating photo essay is split between Orr’s personal collection of him interacting with friends, family, fans and the work of some of the finest sports photographers from around North America. Colour or black and white, it captures Orr the superstar and Orr the humble citizen. A must for Bruins fan.
HOCKEY FIGHT IN CANADA
David Shoalts
Douglas & McIntyre, 200 pages $22.95
There are still after-shocks from events on the TV landscape in 2013 when Rogers outspent the CBC and outflanked rival Bell Media for the biggest prize in Canadian sports broadcasting.
How the CBC’s flagship was boarded by Rogers, freezing out Bell’s TSN, is a story that hockey fans and businessmen can now fully appreciate behind the scenes via David Shoalts, a longtime hockey columnist.
After an ominous start for Rogers when all the Canadian teams missed the playoffs and their on-air youth movement was rejected, the battle for viewers and revenue continues.
HOCKEY CARD STORIES 2
Ken Reid
ECW, 268 pages
$19.95
This concept worked so well a couple of years ago Sportsnet’s Ken Reid opens a second pack of tales gleaned from info on the back of old cards. Among many in this set, Bob McGill, Willi Plett, Mark Napier, Garry Unger and some one-hit wonders.
BOB GOLDHAM, OUTSIDE THE GOAL CREASE
Jim Amodeo CreateSpace, 392 pages $14.95
Kudos to hockey addict Jim Amodeo, who persisted in finally getting this project on paper.
The late Bob Goldham was known to a generation of fans as an analyst on Hockey Night in Canada, but his background with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings, including five Stanley Cup victories, makes for a fascinating story.
THE DOWN GOES BROWN HISTORY OF THE NHL
Sean McIndoe
Random House Canada, 249 pages $29.95
“The NHL is a weird league,” is the intro to Sean McIndoe’s book, which is why he has enjoyed chronicling it with a view askance from the old “he shoots, he scores” formula. He revisits some old stories, but some of the game’s grand poobahs come in for a good satirizing, as well as long-forgotten episodes such as Dave Semenko boxing Muhammad Ali and Mr. Rogers being named a celebrity captain of the Penguins.
IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK: THE MONTREAL CANADIENS
Pat Hickey
Triumph, 296 pages
$23.95
Though the Habs have gone a quarter-century without a title (their last Stanley Cup came in 1993), they still garner attention publicly and privately.
In this edition of the series, which features many of the most well-known pro teams in all of sports, are some untold yarns of Montreal’s successful past and some behind-the-scenes looks at recent controversies. Pat Hickey saved some good ones from covering the team almost 30 years for the Montreal Gazette.
100 THINGS SENATORS FANS SHOULD KNOW AND DO BEFORE THEY DIE
Chris Stevenson
Triumph, 340 pages
$22.95
The way things have unravelled for the Senators the last couple of years, maybe fans in the nation’s capital won’t pick this up for fear of discovering another calamity.
But former Postmedia hockey writer Chris Stevenson forged some strong bonds with people on all sides of the Sens and has a lot of entertaining stories about the good times as well as the recent goofy moments.
GRIT AND GLORY, 40 YEARS OF THE EDMONTON OILERS
Lorna Schultz Nicholson Viking, 320 pages
$40
From Wayne Gretzky to Connor McDavid, the WHA to the CBA era with some dry patches in between, this offers highlights of the last Canadian dynasty team. Nice sidebars on 9-11 victim Ace Bailey, Bill Flett and other departed Oilers, an intro by No. 99 and messages from Glen Sather and Ryan Smyth.
THE ’60S, GOALTENDING’S GREATEST GENERATION
Tom Adrahtas CreateSpace Independent Publishing, 352 pages
$27
Didn’t get through this one, but it comes highly endorsed by learned members of the Society for International Hockey Research. Tom Adrahtas, who wrote a Glenn Hall biography, expands the crease to detailing the careers of Terry Sawchuk, Johnny Bower, Jacques Plante, Gump Worsley and their early ’70s successors, such as Bernie Parent and Gerry Cheevers.
BOWER, A LEGENDARY LIFE
Dan Robson
Harper Collins, 308 pages $32.99
The first book written since John- ny Bower’s passing in December 2017 beefs up some previous tales with some first-hand reminiscing with family members and accompanying photos. The Leafs legend’s formative years between the pipes and his war service get special attention.
CUJO
Kirstie McLellan Day
Harper Collins, 352 pages $32.99
Curtis Joseph, who could warrant Hall of Fame consideration based on the fifth most wins in the NHL, has never opened up about his difficult childhood and late start in hockey. Kirstie McLellan Day tackles that and other aspects of Cujo’s journey, a star in St. Louis, Edmonton, Toronto and Detroit in a star-crossed quest for the Cup.
MIROSLAV FRYCER, MY WILD HOCKEY LIFE
Lubos Brabec
Brabec, 270 pages
$22.99
From escaping the soul-crushing East Bloc hockey system, his risky defection to Canada, a hellish time under Leafs coach John Brophy and a near-fatal lifestyle on both sides of the Atlantic that led to two organ transplants, Frycer has indeed walked the line.
Recently translated to English, some frank conversation here about the vices of the game.
NO HEAVY LIFTING
Rob Simpson
ECW, 276 pages
$19.95
Subtitled “the globe-trotting adventures of a sports media guy,” Sirius radio hockey gabber Rob Simpson shows why he has such a great rapport with so many guests. Through his various network jobs, he’s gone mountain climbing with Zdeno Chara, done charity work in Africa with the late Steve Montador and takes a humorous look at his awkward moments as a rinkside reporter.
YA WANNA GO?
Paul Stewart
Forthright Press, 344 pages
$25
When the NHL sought former players from the game’s dark side for its officiating staff to better handle its rogue element, Paul Stewart was able to make the leap. He has gone on to become one of the game’s most outspoken personalities, a critic and a booster.
BROPH!
Gregg Inkpen Independent, 365 pages
$15
Many have wanted a book about controversial coach Brophy, loved by fans and media, detested by players he felt didn’t measure up. New York-based Gregg Inkpen, who worked on a documentary for one of Brophy’s minor-league teams, was collaborating on a book with Brophy around the time of his death in 2016. Lots of stories and insight are added by friends.
THE LAST GOOD YEAR
Damien Cox
Viking, 266 pages
$32
A look back at the riveting Western Conference final of 1993 with Gretzky and Doug Gilmour at the height of their talent and leadership by example.
CAP IN HAND
Bruce Dowbiggin with Ryan Gauthier ECW, 231 pages
$32.95
This examination of avenues other than a salary cap is interesting, especially with the threat of another NHL lockout looming in 2020. It looks at how the NHL arrived in the cap era compared to how other major sports manage their money.
HOME ICE, REFLECTIONS OF A RELUCTANT HOCKEY MOM
Angie Abdou
ECW, 240 pages
$21.95
A year in the life of an atom-aged player’s mother, who took notes on everything.
HOCKEY 365
Mike Commito
Dundurn, 410 pages
$20
There are a few calendar-type books each season with short notations on what happened on a particular day in hockey history. But Mike Commito goes much further with a full page on each, including stories well before the formation of the NHL.