It is the Montreal Canadiens centennial season. 100 years of the Flying Frenchmen.Of course that means a lot of celebrations in Montreal this year, and commemorative memorabilia. For us book collectors, there are several new Habs books, and one dvd box set, hitting the market as the season gets underway. Here's a look:
The book: Habs Heroes: The Definitive List of the 100 Greatest Canadiens Ever
, Paperback, 352 pagesThe Author: Ken Campbell
The Publisher: The Hockey News, Transcontinental Books
Release Date: October 21st, 2008
Pre-order: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com
Book Description
As the Montreal Canadiens celebrated their 100th year, The Hockey News counts down the 100 greatest players in Montreal Canadiens history in what will sure to be one of the most popular books of the season.
Written by Ken Campbell with a foreword by Jean Beliveau.
The book: Amazon.ca
, Hardcover, 416 pagesThe Author: Michel Roy
The Publisher: Wiley
Release Date: September 25, 2008
Pre-order: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com
Book Description
The bestselling bio of NHL Hall-of-Famer Patrick Roy--now in a new English-language editionPublished in Canada in November 2007, the French-language version of this book, Le Guerrier, became an instant hit, quickly selling out its first print run. For fans of Patrick Roy, the legendary NHL goalie, the book provided the first truly intimate, no-holds-barred look at the early life and meteoric rise of their hero, told from a unique perspective: his father's. Written by Michel Roy, himself an impassioned hockey fan, Patrick Roy offers keen insights on Patrick's indomitable will to win, how he revolutionized goaltending and popularized the butterfly style, as well as his faults and difficulties, including the heartbreaking move from Montreal that nearly broke his spirit.
The book: Honoured Canadiens, hardcover, 256 pages
The Author: Andrew Podnieks
The Publisher: HB Fenn
Release Date: October 1st, 2008
Pre-order: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com
Book Description
The beginning of the 2008/2009 NHL season marks a significant date in hockey history, for it celebrates the centenary of one of the leagues most storied franchises the Montreal Canadiens.
Through their hundred years, the Montreal Canadiens have demonstrated their will to succeed by capturing more Stanley Cups than any other team in hockey history (24) . The Stanley Cup is the most recognized trophy in sport and the most coveted trophy in the hockey world. Montreal's ability to win as many times as their history shows would not have been possible without the contributions made by their many talented members and this book is dedicated to them.
The Montreal Canadiens have sent 62 Players and Builders on to the Hockey Hall of Fame. From coaching and managerial legends including Sam Pollock and Scotty Bowman to the extraordinary roster of players, the Habs have made enormous contributions to the games popularity and success during the teams hundred years of existence. Honoured Canadiens profiles each and every one of the 62 inductees, providing riveting biographical information and spectacular photographs from the collections of the Hockey Hall of Fame itself. From early stars like Howie Morenz and Aurele Joliat to Original Six stars such as Maurice Rocket Richard and Jacques Plante, to modern legends including Guy Lafleur and Larry Robinson, Honoured Canadiens provides the complete roster of Canadiens greats in detail never before experienced.
The book: The Montreal Canadiens: 100 Years of Glory
Hardcover, 336 pagesThe Author: D'Arcy Jenish
The Publisher: Double Day Canada
Release Date: September 30, 2008
Pre-order: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com
Book Description
The definitive history of the Montreal Canadiens–to coincide with their Centenary in 2009Before there were slapshots, Foster Hewitt, or even an NHL, there were the Canadiens. Founded on December 4, 1909, the team won its first Stanley Cup in 1916. Since then, the Canadiens have won 23 more championships, making them the most successful hockey team in the world. The team has survived two wars, the Great Depression, NHL expansion, and countless other upheavals, thanks largely to the loyalty of fans and an extraordinary cast of players, coaches, owners, and managers.
The Montreal Canadiens captures the full glory of this saga. It weaves the personalities, triumphs, heartaches, and hysteria into a compelling narrative with a surprise on every page. It sheds new light on old questions–how the team colours were chosen, how the Canadiens came to be known as the Habitants–and goes behind the scenes of tumultuous recent events still awaiting thorough examination: why Scotty Bowman was passed over as general manager after Sam Pollock resigned; why Pollock’s successor, Irving Grunman, failed; why Serge Savard was dumped as GM so hastily despite his record.
Colourful and controversial, The Montreal Canadiens is the history of a team that has been making news for 100 years–and continues to do so with the return of legendary player Bob Gainey as general manager, determined to bring the Stanley Cup back to Montreal.
The book: Lions in Winter
Hardcover, 512 pagesThe Author: Chris Goyens, Alan Turowetz
The Publisher: Wiley
Release Date: January 15th, 2009
Pre-order: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com
Look what's making a comeback, but not until after Christmas. The 3rd edition of Lions In Winter. There's no cover image available yet, so I'll have to go with the good ol' original!
Book DescriptionIn 2009, the Habs celebrate their 100th anniversary, and "Lions in Winter" is the definitive chronicle of that storied past. More than a history of this extraordinary franchise, it is a fascinating look at the heart of the club--an examination of the characters and the qualities that have made that heart pump so strongly for 100 years.
Meet the builders, the early heroes, the coaches and general managers, and the superstars who have helped lead the Canadiens to countless first-pace finishes and championships throughout an entire century. Great hockey strategists including Frank Selke, Dick Irvin, Toe Blake, Scotty Bowman, and Sam Pollock are remembered or interviewed. And the "Flying Frenchmen" themselves are everywhere, reliving the glory of the Habs on every page: Howie Morenz, Maurice and Henri Richard, Jean Beliveau, Guy Lafleur, Larry Robinson, Ken Dryden, Bob Gainey, Patrick Roy, and many, many more.
"Lions in Winter," on the 100th anniversary of the Habs, commemorates the legendary players, coaches, and the men in the front office who have made their team the greatest franchise in the history of professional hockey.
There really is not a whole lot of information about this box set at this time.It is a 10 disc set featuring 10 of the Canadiens greatest games of all time. The identity of each of these games I'm still trying to confirm.
The set is due out on November 4th, 2008, though there are no pre-order listings at either Amazon or Chapters. I will get them up as soon as they become available.
Warner Bros. Online has the set listed at $48.
Regardless of price, this will be a hot Christmas seller for Habs fans this year.
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