Book Review: Kevin Shea's The Hall

The new hockey season is upcoming, and that also means a new hockey book season.

And if the first hockey book of the new season is going to be any indication, it's going to be a fantastic year for hockey book enthusiasts.

Kevin Shea writes The Hall: Celebrating Hockey's Heritage, Heroes and Home. On the Hall of Fame's 75th anniversary, and the 25th anniversary of the Hall's move to the famed Bank of Montreal building in downtown Toronto.

The book is billed as "A stunning hardcover book that features dramatic and compelling imagery and uncovers the fascinating history of the Hockey Hall of Fame." It is rare that anything lives up to that type of hype, but this book truly does.

With all the photos and features this book serves as both a page turning coffee table book. But there is enough text in here for even the most studied hockey fan to enjoy at length. By now every hockey fan should know a book with Kevin Shea's name on it will be nothing short of fantastic.

The book covers everything from the earliest visions by the Hall's founders to the ghost that haunts the bank where the Stanley Cup resides. Honoured members are front and centre, including a great story about how a kid working at the Hall tried to give Wayne Gretzky some advice on how to shoot a puck at the interactive shooting display.

You will have to wait until September 10th to pick up the book in stores and online. It is part of the National Treasure Series of books that celebrates the Hockey Hall of Fame. The first, A Century of NHL Memories, had a different aura about it that this new book exceeds.

Larry Robinson: The Great Defender with Kevin Shea

The Great Defender: My Unexpected Hockey Odyssey by Kevin Shea. Fenn/MS. Buy The Book - Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com

Joe's Note: Hockey fans are so lucky to have Kevin Shea as part of our literature world. He has a real gift for finding his subject's voice and then presenting it to the reader in such a welcoming way. From the moment I cracked the spine of Larry Robinson's autobiography I was eager to read more and more. The pages turn so fast when Shea is writing. It is a breezy, fun read about one of the greatest hockey players of all time.    

From The Publisher: Legendary Canadien and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Larry Robinson takes readers rink-side in this highly anticipated and poignantly told memoir. 

Larry Robinson spent 20 seasons playing in the NHL -- seventeen with the Montreal Canadiens and retiring from the game after his final 3 seasons with the LA Kings. His great size gave his teams an incredible presence on the blue line and a tremendous defender in front of their net. But he was more than just big. He was agile, he could score and he played a style that provided both offensive and defensive strengths. 

For his effort, Robinson was twice recognized as the NHL's top defencemen and his contribution helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup six times during his tenure with the team. Never afraid to drop his gloves and play a physical game, Robinson is and will forever be regarded as one of the NHL's greatest defencemen. 

In The Great Defender, Robinson relives his road to the NHL and the unexpected NHL journey that has lasted over 4 decades. He has enjoyed the good fortune of playing with greats, including Ken Dryden and Guy Lafleur to coaching the greatest of all--Wayne Gretzky. His successes as a player and coach are well-documented and in his memoir, hockey fans will now enjoy the opportunity to experience the odyssey of this legendary player as seen through his eyes, lived through his emotions, and told through his voice. Robinson's story is one of triumph and will leave readers cheering for the man fondly nicknamed "Big Bird." 

In the process of writing this book, bestselling sports writer Kevin Shea interviewed many of Robinson's teammates, colleagues, players and family members and spent countless hours with Larry himself to capture a fascinating picture of one of hockey's greatest careers.

H is for Hockey: A NHL Alumni Alphabet

"Where was the first organized indoor hockey game played? When did the tradition of engraving winners’ names on the Stanley Cup start? Which six brothers collectively played in more than 5,000 NHL games? Answers to these questions and many more can be found in H Is for Hockey: A NHL Alumni Alphabet.

Formed in 1999, the National Hockey League Alumni Association is affectionately known as “Hockey’s Greatest Family” for good reason. Members of the NHL Alumni are considered hockey ambassadors, supporting the game and its history through many charitable causes and programs.

Written by one of the game’s foremost historians in Kevin Shea, this book pays tribute to them and the sport they love. Adding a personal touch are the memorable quotes sprinkled throughout the text. When 17-year-old Sidney Crosby was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2005, he said, “This is amazing. It’s been a lot of hard work and a lot of sacrifices. It’s unbelievable!”"

The book is wonderfully illustrated by Ken Dewar. Dewar's work really does steal the show, and will keep kids and parents enthralled time and time again.

Shea's simple rhymes to teach children the alphabet are short but sweet. The best part of the book though is the side column information that really is intended for parents more-so than the kids. There is so much to learn, creating much value for readers of any age.

The best part of this book is the opportunity it creates for parents to spend time with their children and teach them about Canada's wonderful game and it's glorious history. H is for Hockey: AN NHL Alumni Alphabet gets an A+ from me!

Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com

Derek Sanderson Story To Be Made Into A Movie

Great news for Derek Sanderson and author Kevin Shea - their new book Crossing The Line is going to be turned into a movie.

We’re apparently not alone in thinking that the life and times of Derek Sanderson would be fodder for a good biopic. We got word Monday that actor/director/producer Edward Burns is working with “Akeelah and the Bee” writer/director Doug Atchison on a film about the flamboyant former Bruins player.

Here's the full story. Here's the link to the Crossing The Line book review.

Derek Sanderson: Crossing The Line

Derek Sanderson's story is almost unbelievable. The Theoren Fleury of his day, Sanderson had it all. Hockey stardom and celebrity. He was fast on the ice and faster off of it. He was hockey's playboy of the 1970s. He played hard and partied harder.

At one point he signed a contract that made him the highest paid athlete in the entire world. More than Pele, Dr. J, and Bobby Hull.

Not long after signing that contract he lost it all. Alcohol and drugs drained him of his money. He was sleeping on park benches and under bridges in Central Park, even begging for money for a short period of time. Somehow Derek Sanderson had hit rock bottom.

Sanderson, with the help of friends and family, got back on track and put his life back in order. It is an admirable story that Sanderson has been telling for years. Finally he has brought it to bookshelves everywhere in Derek Sanderson: Crossing the Line.

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Sanderson enlisted the writing expertise of veteran writer Kevin Shea for this autobiography. It was an excellent choice. Shea nicely finds Sanderson's genuine voice and presents him exactly as he really is - as a good guy with an unbelievable story to tell. It's books like this where I'm truly amazed at the writers ability. If I didn't know any better I'd swear all Shea did was transcribe his story. Of course Shea did a heck of lot more than that, but reading the book makes me feel like I'm just listening to "Turk" telling his story. Amazing job.


At one point the highest-paid athlete in the world, Sanderson played with and against the era's legends, winning two Stanley Cups and assisting on Bobby Orr's famous diving goal in 1970. Off the ice, "Turk" was one of a kind. He drove a burgundy Rolls-Royce, wore a fox coat and, when asked what winning the Stanley Cup meant to him said, "The difference in the money is whether I take a college chick to Cape Cod or a Playmate to France." But behind the glory, Sanderson was an alcoholic and an addict. He bottomed out, losing it all, and ended up sleeping under bridges. At one point he was so sick, he had to use crutches to walk.

Crossing the Line is about Sanderson's crazy days as a player but also about his road back to health. Sanderson has spoken to hundreds of thousands of young people about the dangers of his former lifestyle and now helps young athletes and others to avoid the pitfalls of instant fame. Sanderson does not hold back in this highly entertaining and truly inspirational book.

Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com

Hockey Hall of Fame MVP Trophies and Winners

Hockey Hall of Fame MVP Trophies and Winners tells the story of hockey's three most prestigious individual awards: the Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player of the NHL regular season), the Ted Lindsay Trophy (MVP of the NHL regular season as voted by the players) and the Conn Smythe Trophy (MVP of the NHL playoffs).

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The authors present the history and origins of each trophy, as well as a biography of those whom the trophies are named after. Authors Bob Duff and Kevin Shea profile every winner of each trophy and make their own selections for the winners of each award in the seasons preceding each trophy's existence. Solid photography compliments the book.

MVP Trophies and Winners recounts the most controversial selections and surprise winners. Readers will be able to relive the best seasons and performances hockey has ever seen as Duff and Shea profile the NHL's multiple MVP winners and the most seminal seasons ever recorded. This is perhaps the most fascinating undertaking in the book.

The authors are MVPs of their own world.

Bob Duff is a hockey historian and a member of the Society for International Hockey Research. He is the sports columnist for The Windsor Star and covers the NHL for MSNBC.com. He was previously a featured author in the Hockey Hall of Fame Book of Goalies and is the author of the Johnny Bower biography The China Wall.

Kevin Shea is a hockey historian and best-selling author. He is the editor of publications for the Hockey Hall of Fame and teaches hockey history at Seneca College in Toronto, Ontario. He is also a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs Historical Committee and the Society for International Hockey Research. His most recent book is Toronto Maple Leafs: Diary of a Dynasty, 1957--1967.

Diary Of A Dynasty

Attention all Toronto Maple Leafs fans, especially those old enough to remember the last time the Leafs won the Stanley Cup. You will want to keep your eyes out for this 2010 release.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Diary of a Dynasty, 1957--1967 remembers the Leafs glory days. It is put together by no fewer than four leading experts. Kevin Shea is no stranger to Leafs fans as he's penned more than a few best selling books over the years. Paul Patskou is, in my estimation, one of the top five hockey historians out there today. He has the largest collection of hockey on video in the world, and enabled the authors to re-watch all of the Stanley Cup games. Roly Harris and Paul Bruno, known as "The Statsman," also contribute.

Buy The Book - Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com

When I first heard of this project, I admit I was skeptical. Another book about the Leafs glory years from forever ago? But I was pleasantly surprised in this book's uniqueness.

The book is thoroughly researched, almost overwhelmingly so. The authors and researchers reconstruct the Leafs dynasty years from 1957 through 1967 with the same exhaustive attention to detail and the obvious passion as an archaeologist unearthing a great find.

The book begins with 1957 to show the rise of the great Leafs teams. Of course that team, led by the likes of future Hall of Famers like Johnny Bower, George Armstrong, Tim Horton, Red Kelly, Frank Mahovlich, Terry Sawchuk and Dave Keon, would win three consecutive Stanley Cup championships from 1962 through 1964. And they famously captured another surprise championship - against their arch rivals from Montreal - in the dominion year of 1967.

All of the important games are relived in this book. They are vividly reconstructed through the use of authentic calls from the Hockey Night In Canada broadcast booth, Hot Stove Lounge conversations and from interviews from the players themselves. It is these first hand accounts - many of them long lost and never-before released - make this book so special.

In addition to the critical games and the Stanley Cup glory, the book also covers the team's management and ownership struggle that led to the dark rise of Harold Ballard, the creation of the NHLPA and NHL expansion into the modern era.

Leafs fans, and hockey fans of that era, will definitely appreciate this book. It is an encyclopedic history of hockey from 1957 through 1967, but Shea writes it with a passion - almost an innocence - of a fan experiencing it for the first time. It is a tremendous celebration of the team and, most importantly, a tribute to the Leafs' eternal heroes.

Here's the specs:

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (Aug 19 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554076366
• ISBN-13: 978-1554076369

Here's more from the publisher, Firefly:

Toronto Maple Leafs: Diary of a Dynasty, 1957-1967 chronicles those wonderful seasons when the Toronto Maple Leafs skyrocketed from last place in the NHL to become the powerhouse team of the decade. During the 1950s and 60s the Leafs were always a contender and won the Stanley Cup in three consecutive years (1962-1964), along with an improbable Stanley Cup victory over their archrival, the Montreal Canadiens, in 1967 to close out the era of the original six NHL teams.

Of the many books written on the Leafs, this one is unique: Kevin Shea and his writing partners revisit all the important games and moments from each season with astonishing detail based on the broadcasts of Hockey Night in Canada from that decade. There are authentic calls from the broadcast booth, Hot Stove Lounge conversations and detailed descriptions of game-changing goals and late-game heroics that have been obscured by the passage of time -- and the performance of the weaker teams that have followed.

Along with unearthed, never-before released interviews from dynasty players, such as Johnny Bower, Dave Keon and George Armstrong to name only a few, the authors reconstruct Toronto's dynasty years with professional accuracy, authenticity and care.

This big book will be dear to the heart of every Maple Leaf fan -- a nostalgic journey through hockey history and thus into the history of modern Canada itself.

About the Authors

Kevin Shea is a hockey historian and best-selling author. He is the editor of publications for the Hockey Hall of Fame and teaches hockey history at Seneca College in Toronto, Ontario. He is also a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs Historical Committee and the Society for International Hockey Research. Check out

more Kevin Shea books here

Paul Patskou is a hockey historian, researcher, writer and authority on archival hockey footage. He was the historical consultant for Leafs TV and the associate producer of Leafs Classics.

Roly Harris is a life-long Leafs' fan who closely followed the team's glory years. He has spent the past 36 years working in law, as a criminal lawyer, crown attorney and judge.

Paul Bruno is known as "The Statsman," primarily due to his podcasts and his work in sports statistics. He has worked with Fanball Sports Network and Stats LLC.

Buy The Book - Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com

Barilko: Without A Trace

Coming to bookstore shelves in the coming few days is the updated Kevin Shea classic Barilko: Without a Trace - the triumphant and tragic story of Toronto Maple Leafs legend Bill Barilko.

Barilko: Without a Trace - Bill Barilko's short life was laden with Canadian lore, and in Barilko: Without a Trace, Kevin Shea recounts it wonderfully. He became a Toronto Maple Leaf legend, and a Stanley Cup hero. The world was his oyster, and then it all came to shocking end. The plane carrying Barilko and his fishing friends disappeared, not to be found for over a decade. Note: This book was originally published in 2004, and is an excellent read.The reissued edition has a new chapter that chronicles a return to the site of the plane crash for the first time since 1962, and newly released and exclusive photos.

This book originally came out in 2004. It is truly a treat to read, one of the best biographies available on any hockey subject. Kevin Shea is one of the best hockey authors out there, as all Leafs fans know.

Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com

Here's the specs:

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Fenn Publishing Company Ltd. (Sep 1 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551683784
• ISBN-13: 978-1551683782
• Product Dimensions: 21.3 x 14 x 3 cm
• Shipping Weight: 477 g

Here's more from the publisher, HB Fenn:

A poor boy from Northern Ontario who laboured at skating, Barilko, miraculously found himself playing defence on the hockey team of his dreams—the Toronto Maple Leafs. Through five National Hockey League seasons, Barilko emerged as the toast of Toronto, winning four Stanley Cup championships. On April 21, 1951, playing their rivals, the loathed Montreal Canadiens, Bill Barilko scored the overtime goal, winning the Toronto Maple Leafs their seventh Stanley Cup. It was the last game he ever played.

Four months later, preparing to return to Toronto for training camp, Barilko made a fateful decision and planned one final fishing trip to a favoured spot on the east side of James Bay. Neither Barilko nor his friend, pilot Dr. Henry Hudson, were heard from again, prompting a massive aerial search. Eleven years later, the remains of both men were discovered in the remnants of their small aircraft, a few miles outside of Cochrane, Ontario.

It wasn’t until Barilko’s body was found, that the Leafs again hoisted the Stanley Cup. They won the Cup that same year—1962.

Bill Barilko’s life has been celebrated for more than fifty years. The impeccable shot taken by Nat Turofsky is the most requested photograph in the archives of the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Toronto Star selected Barilko’s Stanley Cup-winning goal as one of the top three sporting moments in Toronto history in December 2003, the National Post called Barilko’s 1950-51 Leaf team the best Toronto hockey team of all time. The Tragically Hip has even celebrated Bill Barilko’s legend in their song, “Fifty Mission Cap.”

Barilko: Without a Trace chronicles the extraordinary story of this immensely popular athlete and includes a new chapter on the rediscovered crash site. Teammates Ted Kennedy, Allan Stanley, Gus Mortson and Howie Meeker are among those who share stories of their sporting life with Bill. Childhood friends and his grieving girlfriend explain the Bill we didn’t read about. Those involved in both the search and discovery tell their amazing tales. And the entire story is lovingly woven together through the immaculate memories of Bill’s sister, Anne.

High Praise For New Duthie Book

Esteemed author Kevin Shea had some high praise for James Duthie's new book The Day I (Almost) Killed Two Gretzkys. From his Twitter account:

James Duthie's 'The Day I (Almost) Killed Two Gretzkys' -- funny as hell. It's early, but gets my vote for the hockey book of 2010. 

Here's more information on the first of two James Duthie books to hit the shelves this season.

You can also buy the book here: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com 

Bargain Book Alert Lord Stanley: The Man Behind The Cup

Sir John A. MacDonald. Sir Frederick Arthur Stanley. Two men equally important in the history of Canada?

Okay, not quite, not in history's eyes anyways.

MacDonald, of course, was Canada's very first Prime Minister, masterfully undertaking the difficult task of nation building despite the influence of at least three major cultural backgrounds and an enormous geography to work with. He really is one of the 10 greatest Canadians.

That's tough to match. But Lord Stanley's impact on Canada is far more important than most of us realize. We all know him as a man born into privilege, who worked his way up the road paved with gold right to the governor general of Canada post. There he donated a $48 trophy that, in no direct thanks to Stanley himself, became far more important than he ever was.

Well, authors Kevin Shea and John Jason Wilson set out to clear up this myth. In their book Lord Stanley: The Man Behind the Cup, the duo look deeply into his life and career, specifically while here in Canada.

Bargain Book Alert: Available At Chapters For $4.99

Through academically thorough research the two authors paint Stanley as one of MacDonald's most important allies and a loyal Canadian. Through his embracing of sport, particularly the new Canadian sport of ice hockey, Stanley was an imperative piece of MacDonald's nation-building program.

Not only did sports bring the country together, but it helped solve a "crisis in masculinity." With the Americans determined to annex Canada, the country was lacking in military might and will. By building up masculinity through sports, Stanley was actually increasing Canada's ability to defend itself.

And you thought he was just happy to get out of Canada and back to England and that his cup was nothing more than a token gesture.

I mentioned the two authors are thorough in their research. They actually gained access to Lord Stanley's archival collection, retelling much of the material there. For a guy from the 19th century, it turns out there was lots to work with here.

The book contains a short forward by another governor general, Adrienne Clarkson, as well as The 19th Earl of Derby, who is the great-great-grandson of Lord Stanley. The book includes a nice selection of photographs of Lord Stanley and his family along with images related specifically to the history of the Cup.

Stanley also was noted for his diplomatic handling of the United States and Western Canada in several contentious issues. He was a very important politician, not just a sports fan with a token job.

The book is an academic read, which for me means it was laborious. I found some pieces repeated too much through the book. The book is also very long, which is scary in that it basically looks at just five years of Stanley's life.

Still, the authors need to be acknowledged for clearing up the tiny capsule of information we have been satisfied to know about Lord Stanley of Preston all of these years. While the brief history of the sixth governor general still exists, now we have the ability to truly know just who was the man behind the cup.

St. Michael's College by Kevin Shea

What do Ted Lindsay, Frank Mahovlich, Dave Keon, Red Kelly, Gerry Cheevers, Joe Primeau, Bobby Bauer, Tim Horton and Dick Duff all have in common?

Besides being Hall of Fame hockey players, all are alumni of St. Michael's College school and hockey program. St. Mikes was one the top development programs in hockey history, while also providing high education. Nearly 190 players have graduated to the NHL, 13 of them to the Hall of Fame.

Here's a quick little rundown on the history of St. Michael's.

The private, all boys, Roman Catholic school was founded way back in 1852. Soon thereafter the Basilian Fathers took control of the school's administration.

The hockey program started back in 1906. The students competed in the OHA junior circuit, and also in senior hockey leagues. St. Michael's won the amateur championship of Canada - the Allan Cup - in 1910.

In the late 1920s, the Toronto Maple Leafs, under the great vision of owner Conn Smythe, sponsored the St. Mike's hockey program, essentially making the school's hockey team a feeder system for the NHL team. Many of the Leafs greatest players are St. Mike's alumnus.

By 1933 the school sported two junior teams, the major junior St. Michael's Majors and the junior B St. Michael's Buzzers.

The Majors were a strong forced, capturing the Memorial Cup in 1934 after an undefeated regular season. Nick Metz, Art Jackson, Pep Kelly and Bobby Bauer led the way.

The Majors went to three consecutive Memorial Cup finals in the 1940s, winning in 1945 and 1947. Red Kelly, Ed Sandford, Gus Mortson, Tod Sloan and Fleming Mackell were among the stars of this junior hockey dynasty.

The team would win one more Memorial Cup title in 1961, thanks in large part to the goaltending of Gerry Cheevers.

That 1961 team was coached by Father David Bauer, one of the all time great friends of hockey. But it was actually Father Bauer who ended the St. Mike's hockey affiliation with major junior hockey, as he felt the grueling schedule and increasingly rough play conflicted with the school's ideals and the player's studies.

It was not until 1997 that the Majors returned to major junior hockey. Ironically the team is now owned by school alumnus Eugene Melnyk. Although there is no affiliation to the NHL, Melnyk is also owner of the Ottawa Senators, the chief rivals of the Toronto Maple Leafs in recent years.

You would need a full text book to truly study the impact and history of the St. Michael's hockey team, as well as all the famous alumni. Which is exactly what author Kevin Shea has done. With help from co-writers Larry Colle and Paul Patskou, and with the publishing powerhouse HB Fenn, Shea has literally written what could pass as text book in a history classroom at the private school.

The book is called St. Michael's College: A Hundred Years of Pucks and Prayers, and it features a foreword from one of the school's most famous former students in Hockey Hall of Famer and Canadian Senator Frank Mahovlich.

Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com

Everything about the book immediately reminds the reader of a text book. From the use of margins, the tiny text, the side tables and photographs, all of the inserts and appendices, and even the table of contents, it is an obvious first impression. The only thing missing is essay questions at the end of each chapter.

Anyone familiar with Kevin Shea's work knows this book will be as thorough as can be. He has written Over the Boards: The Ron Ellis Story, Barilko Without A Trace, and Lord Stanley: The Man Behind the Cup, all critically acclaimed titles. So the content is guaranteed to be encyclopedic as well.

What I really like about his St. Michael's offering is he gives a lot of space to not only the history of the team and the school, but to the long list of hockey players who used this school as their launching point.

For me history is really about people. Without a whole lot of connection with to St. Michael's personally I found myself immediately drawn to the many interesting stories about the players and a few coaches.

Once I flipped through and read all the inserts and the chapters dedicated to the players, I found myself with a great respect and curiosity for the school and the team, and doubled back and read up more on the school, the administrators and the great legacy left, both on and off the ice.

So do not overlook this book just because it is about a private school that you may not have ever heard of. With the great selection of stories and a great alumni to work with, this book really surprised me. This book will appeal to far more than just proud St. Michael's graduates.

As the publisher's promotion team accurately suggests "This book will appeal to anyone that has ever dreamed of someday playing in the NHL or anyone that enjoys following the sport."

This book is for junior hockey enthusiasts, especially those seeking good history. Even junior hockey fans outside of southern Ontario or the OHL should seriously consider this title for it's historical information.

This book is for fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs, especially if you're looking for material on the glory years. Fans from all around the NHL, especially the other Original Six teams, should relish this book as a great chance to learn how some of the top players in southern Ontario did not fall under Maple Leafs rule.

Between all of the interested parties above and the undoubted cases and cases of books St. Michael's College will order for it's own classrooms and libraries, Kevin Shea, Larry Colle and Paul Patskou should have a "major" seller on their hands with St. Michael's College: A Hundred Years of Pucks and Prayers.

Bargain Book Alert! Lord Stanley: The Man Behind The Cup

Chapters has Kevin Shea's Lord Stanley: The Man Behind The Cup reduced to clear. This hard cover book, co-authored by John Jason Wilson, was originally listed at $35, but is now just $4.99.

Everyone in Canada knows the Stanley Cup. Now it is time to learn about Stanley himself, the man who gave us hockey's most holy grail. It is a surprisingly thorough and intense read.

The book is slated to come out in paperback in October 2010. But even the paperback will be twice the price of this offer. Treat yourself to the hard cover for just 5 bucks.

Click on the Chapters link and either search for the title or browse the 80% off books outlet shop.

2008 Hockey Book Preview: St. Michael's College: A Hundred Years of Pucks and Prayers

The book: St. Michael's College: A Hundred Years of Pucks and Prayers Hardcover, 400 pages
The Author: Kevin Shea with Larry Colle and Paul Patskou
The Publisher: HB Fenn
Release Date: Oct. 1st, 2008
Pre-order: Amazon - Chapters

Book Description
If Notre Dame is the most storied breeding ground for professional football, then St. Michaels College certainly holds the same distinction in hockey. From the grassroots beginnings of the hockey program in 1906 through to today, more than 180 students from St. Mikes have gone on to play in the National Hockey League. This comprehensive history of hockey at St. Michaels College School, located in Toronto, Canada, will take readers through one hundred years of extraordinary memories: triumphs, tears, perspiration, and inspiration of one of the most exciting hockey programs in the world. Extensively researched, the book weaves into the narrative the personal recollections of some of the greatest players ever to pull on the Double Blue of St. Mikes: Tim Brent, Arnie Brown, Ed Chadwick, Gerry Cheevers, Paul Conlin, Father Les Costello, Murray Costello, Kevin Dineen, Dick Duff, Father Ray Hannigan, Tim Horton, Larry Keenan, Red Kelly, Ken Klee, David Keon, Ted Lindsay, Barry MacKenzie, Frank Mahovlich, Cesare Maniago, John McCormack, Jim McKenny, Gerry Odrowski, Mark Osbourne, Mark Popovic, Rod Seiling, Kevin Weekes, and Benny Woit. These are just some of those who have lovingly provided their stories about St. Michaels and the impact it had on their lives, both professionally and personally. It truly is a remarkable story and a remarkable achievement. Whether the name St. Mikes is familiar or not; whether the term double blue stirs up any memories or draws a blank, this school and program is responsible for producing many of the games greatest names and for influencing the sport of hockey. This book will appeal to anyone that has ever dreamed of someday playing in the NHL or anyone that enjoys following the sport.

About The Author
This is Kevin Shea's 7th book. Barilko Without A Trace, Lord Stanley: The Man Behind the Cup, and Over the Boards: The Ron Ellis Story.

Joe's Note
Kevin Shea has the reputation as one of the best researchers in the hockey writing community. With St. Mike's he has a lot of material to work with. Like in Shea's previous efforts, this book will be in-depth to the nth degree.