Coach: The Pat Burns Story

2012 has been a very good year for hockey books. There have been some high quality releases, particularly in the biography genre. But it was not until now that I found one that truly stood above the rest. Coach: The Pat Burns Story is the best hockey biography of the year.

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

Pat Burns was one of the great NHL coaches. He worked with the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils, and seemed always to enjoy instant success. He capped his extraordinary career by coaching the New Jersey Devils to a Stanley Cup victory in 2003. Cancer--his third bout--finally claimed him in 2010, aged 58.

Rosie DiManno, the notable Toronto Star columnist, knew Burns well. She has written a revealing and heartfelt account of his life, warts and all. From his fatherless childhood to his years as a police officer to his glorious NHL years and his valiant fight against cancer. Her gifted writing ability combined with her personal insight makes for a riveting read.

I must admit, I never liked Pat Burns. For all his success behind the bench, there was something I did not like about him. Considering that the closest I ever came to meeting him was on my television, that was pretty self-righteous of me. But he just seemed like a mean, unlikeable bully. There was no denying his ability or his success, but my instincts told me I simply did not like him.

What I like best about Dimanno's portrait of Pat Burns is that she is very open about his many faults. She does not turn a blind eye to his less than endearing qualities, but instead tries to explain them. In doing so, I felt I truly got to know Pat Burns, the coach and the man. I definitely recognized the man I never really liked, yet I finally came to understand why. I am very thankful to Dimanno for that opportunity.

In learning just who Pat Burns really was, including his faults, I found myself opening up to Burns, or at least to the man Burns became over the years. It is simply a masterful presentation by Dimanno.

Of course there is plenty of hockey to relive and learn all about. From his days with Montreal and Toronto, then Boston and New Jersey. From his at-times controversial relationships with the likes of Patrick Roy, Stephane Richer, Claude Lemieux, and Doug Gilmour to his Stanley Cup championship in 2003. There's no shortage of great hockey history to be found here.

But first and foremost this is an intimate biography of one of hockey's most complex individuals. There are quite a few strong bios out there there this. Rosie Dimanno's Coach: The Pat Burns Story is the best of the best.

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.

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

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

Concussed! Sports Related Head Injuries: Prevention, Coping and Real Stories.

NHL stars don't get much bigger than Keith Primeau. The 6'5" and 220lb behemoth was a mountain of a player, driving hard through the defense, imposing his hulking physical advantage at will. The former NHL all star was a rare combination of size and skill. He was seemingly unstoppable. 

Except he was. And the resulting damage is scary.

Primeau suffered 4 documented concussions. Like so many NHL heroes, he kept rushing back to return to the ice, unaware of the long term brain damage he was inflicting upon himself. By the 4th concussion suffered early in the 2005-06 season he was unable to come back. A year later he retired. Hockey's giant was slain by hockey's giant problem - concussions.

Now Primeau is determined to make sure this giant problem is no longer swept under the rug. The 15 year NHLer wants to make sure no player - be it in the NHL or the local recreational league - rushes back from a head injury. He has made it his purpose in life to educate players, coaches and parents about the dangers of concussions.

That's why he and Kerry Goulet, a former star professional hockey player in Germany, have joined forces to create the new book Concussed!: Sports-Related Head Injuries: Prevention, Coping and Real Stories

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

The book offers great advice on how to cope with sports-related head injuries in children and youth, with tips on symptoms to look for, what to do when you suspect a concussion, guidelines for return to play and the possible long-term effects. 

Primeau - who still suffers symptoms all these years later - is very open about his scary story, telling readers his disturbing truth of living with a concussion. Other true stories of athletes and families who are living daily with the effects of being concussed are also discussed.

Concussions are plaguing professional sports - and hockey in particular - and it has seeped down to amateur and youth levels. The damage and impact is scary and significant. Yet every concussion is different, and no one really knows what it is like outside of the victim.

There is so much ignorance out there concerning concussions. Thanks to Primeau and Goulet and friends, the  new book Concussed! hopefully can go a long ways to educating athletes, coaches and parents about concussions. That makes this book one of the most important texts of the hockey book market of 2012.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs standout Ron Ellis provides the book's foreword. Goulet did much of the writing himself, with the instrumental guidance of noted author Kevin Shea.

A large part of the book was edited and ghost-written by Monika Moravan, an up and coming writer on the hockey scene. She did an excellent job of keeping the text engaging for older readers, yet not-intimidating for younger readers. Changing the culture of sports injuries specifically concerning the head must hit home at the youth level. It is essential that they know playing through a concussion should not be an accepted practice. Brain damage is not worth the personal or societal pressures to return to the game as soon as possible.

Sadly this is the type of book many hockey fans will overlook when looking at all the new hockey books on store shelves in 2012. But if you are a player, or if you have a child who plays, you should really take the time to better educate yourself on possibly the biggest injury concern hockey has ever faced.

For more information, visit http://www.stopconcussions.com/

Dit: Dit Clapper And The Rise Of The Boston Bruins

Authors Richard Leblanc and Stewart Richardson have teamed up to bring us a promising biography of Hockey Hall of Famer Aubrey "Dit" Clapper.


Did you know that there have been 10 players in hockey history who had the mandatory waiting period for induction to the Hockey Hall of Fame waived? There was no denying the rightful inclusion of Rocket Richard, Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, Terry Sawchuk, Dit Clapper, Red Kelly, Jean Beliveau, Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky.

Wait a minute - one of those names sounds a bit off. Every modern fan should be well aware of these ten hockey greats, and for the most part all are. Except for Dit Clapper. Who the heck is Dit Clapper?

Clapper was one of the greatest NHL stars of the early years. He was an All Star both as a forward and on defense. He helped the Boston Bruins win three Stanley Cup championships. He was the first player to ever play 20 seasons in the NHL. He was often dubbed "The Lou Gehrig of Hockey."

While Eddie Shore and Howie Morenz tend to have stolen history's eternal spotlight from that era, Clapper deserves his share, too. Perhaps this book will go a ways in helping the modern fan appreciate the old game and the old players.

*** Dit: Dit Clapper and The Rise Of The Boston Bruins is available now through Amazon.com ***

The book is very reasonably priced at $20, especially when you consider you get are almost getting two books for the price of one.

Not only is this text the leading biographical look at one of hockey's all time greats in Dit Clapper, but it is also an in depth look at hockey history from this era. Boston Bruins fans in particular will appreciate this text, but any hockey fan searching for a better understanding of the NHL's early years will want to read this book.

The authors leave no stone unturned on Clapper, digging deeply into his childhood and upbringing while also exploring his life after hanging up the skates. Of course it is his life on the ice that steals the show.

Dit Clapper is truly one of hockey's greats yet remains almost unknown by today's fans. Authors Stewart Richardson and Richard Leblanc go a long ways to correcting that thanks to their new book Dit: Dit Clapper and The Rise Of The Boston Bruins. All real hockey fans should consider giving this one a read.

Here's some more information about the book from The Peterborough Examiner newspaper:

The authors have uncovered some interesting anecdotes and stories surrounding the life of this hockey great. For example they explain how Aubrey Clapper received one of hockey’s great nicknames.

They were able collect some long forgotten photographs from Dit early lacrosse days to the night in 1995 when the Bruins raised Dit’s No. 5 into the rafters of the new T.D. Gardens.

Interestingly, Dit’s abilities as a teenage lacrosse player in the Hastings-Campbellford area eventually led to his hockey career. Included is a 1923 photograph of Dit and his two brothers, Donald and Bruce when they played field lacrosse for the Toronto Leaside team against their father, Willy’s Hastings team.

After Dit finished hockey he returned to Peterborough. His sporting goods store on George Street became the gathering place of the sports fraternity in the city. George “Red” Sullivan worked there in the summers while he was playing in the NHL.

A Wild Stab for It: This Is Game Eight from Russia by Dave Bidini

The critically acclaimed Dave Bidini is back with a new hockey book dedicated to the 1972 Summit Series' 40th anniversary: A Wild Stab for It: This Is Game Eight from Russia.

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

Published by ECW Press, Bidini offers a brief look at the 1972 Summit Series. The small book is only a little over 100 pages long, but Bidini makes each and every page worth the purchase price.

For the 40th anniversary of what was arguably the single-most important sporting event in Canadian history, the writer shepherded Canadians of all backgrounds—artists, athletes, politicians, and pundits—shared interviews, anecdotes, and memories of September 28, 1972.

People like players from both Team Canada and Team USSR. People like political cartoonist Aislin, who actually tried his best to get arrested in Moscow. People like Russian women who fell in love with the bombastic Phil Esposito. People like internet sensations Arthur Chidlovski and Dennis Kane, who found freedom and found love, respectively, courtesy the 1972 Summit Series. People like Dave Bist, who tried teaching Russians how to chew gum.

Bidini brilliantly weaves this greatly eclectic collection of stories into a wonderful and original re-telling of the events of September 28th, 1972. The day Paul Henderson became immortalized. The day Canada began celebrating itself.

Simply put, this a brilliant little book. That is no surprise given that comes from Dave Bidini, Canada's most poetic hockey journalist.

Breakaway: The Untold Story of Hockey's Great Escapes

"Breakaway reads like an international political spy thriller. A must-read for fans who want to know about the history of the game, who some of the great European players were, and the development of the global game as we know it today."

That's how former NHL general manager Mike Smith expertly sums up Tal Pinchevsky's great new book Breakaway: The Untold Story of Hockeys Great Escapes

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

The book tells the story of many of hockey's famous players who had to defect from behind the Iron Curtain to play in the National Hockey League. These brave souls left behind their families and the world as they know it to come to a completely foreign land to chase a dream.

When I first learned of this project more than a year prior to it's publication date, I must admit it skyrocketed to the very top of the my most anticipated book release list for 2012. I have always had a fascination with every aspect of these defections.

Pinchevsky delivers to my high expectations and then some in a truly excellent book.  He tells the incredible true stories of the trailblazing men who risked everything to pass through the Iron Curtain and become NHL superstars. Through exclusive interviews does not only tell the players story, but that of the families left behind, the people who helped make it possible and the people who welcomed them to their whole new world. Much of the stories are told in the first person.

The book offers emotional looks at Peter Stastny, Igor Larionov, Petr Klima, Petr Nedved, Sergei Fedorov, Slava Fetisov, Alexander Mogilny, and other hockey superstars captured the imaginations of fans around the world. Pinchevsky blends political and hockey history with deeply personal and emotional stories and a sense of adventure. It's several books all rolled up into one.

This is just a fantastic read folks. I highly recommend it.

Update: Pinchevsky only looks at the bigger names who defected - Nedomansky, the Stastnys, Mogilny, Nedved to name a few. He also looks at the likes of Igor Larionov, Viacheslav Fetisov and Sergei Fedorov, who technically were never defectors as their long struggles resulted in legal relocation.

I wanted hockey fans to know that there quite a few more defectors that the book does not mention. Some time ago my old buddy Patrick Houda and I tried compiling a complete list of defectors to the National Hockey League. Patrick, being the amazing researcher that he is, was able to identify a few others who never played in the NHL at all. He speculated that there are others who played professionally in western Europe, but he is confident we have a complete list of notable defectors.

Jaroslav "Jarda" Krupicka 1969 (WHA 1972-73, never played in NHL)
Peter Hejma 1969? (Never played in NHL)
Jaroslav Cvach 1969? (Never played in NHL)
Vaclav Nedomansky 1974
Richard Farda 1974 (WHA 1974-1977, never played in NHL)
Jiri Crha 1979
Vitezslav Duris 1980
Peter Stastny 1980
Anton Stastny 1980
Martin Maglay 1980 (Never played in NHL)
Marian Stastny 1981
Miroslav Frycer 1981
Jan Ludvig 1981
Peter Almasy 1981? (Never played in NHL)
Peter Ihnacak 1982
Petr Klima 1984
Petr Svoboda 1984
Miroslav Ihnacak 1985
Frantisek Musil 1986
Karel Svoboda 1986 (Never played in NHL)
Vojtech Kucera 1986 (never played in NHL)
Petr Prajsler 1987
Jiri Sevcik 1987
Ladislav Tresl 1987 (Never Played In NHL)
Alexander Mogilny 1989
Petr Nedved 1989

Hockey Hall of Fame: Book of Jerseys

Hockey Hall of Fame Book of Jerseys  is a celebration of the Hockey Hall of Fame's collection of the best jerseys and sweaters worn in the game. 

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

The brand-new, never-before-seen photographs of each jersey are paired with in-game action images and player profiles detailing the significance of the jersey and the impact of the player on the league.

The selection of near 100 jerseys from star players ranges from the rare and seldom seen, like Hall of Famer Rod Langway's high school championship jersey, to the most famous of garments, like Wayne Gretzky's last-ever jersey.

The photography is great and, as is always the case with Hockey Hall of Fame book releases, the glossy presentation is second to none. But author Steve Milton really makes this book into a gem with his interesting player profiles. Many of the players names you will recognize - Gretzky, Howe, Richard, while others you will not - Bobbi-Jo Slusar, John Coward, Constant Priondolo. It is that blend that makes this book so fascinating.

Hockey fans will be thrilled with this collection and will enjoy the crests, patches, logos, colors, and designs -- not to mention the game-worn wear-and-tear -- of hockey's most distinguishing feature. As an addition to the jerseys of hockey's superstars, readers will be treated to a selection of some of the most unique and rare jerseys from around the hockey world, like Harbin China's Heilongjiang Provincial Sport School jerseys, or the 1936--37 Cleveland Falcons sweater from the inaugural IAHL (now AHL) season.

A few of the players and jerseys featured are:

• Ray Bourque: 2001 Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup
• Mario Lemieux: 1987 Canada Cup
• Frank Nighbor: 1921 Ottawa Senators Stanley Cup
• Mark Messier: 1990 Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup
• Valeri Kharlamov: 1980s CSKA Red Army
• Doug Gilmour: 1993 Toronto Maple Leafs
• Busher Jackson: 1940 New York Americans
• Clint Benedict: 1931 Windsor Bulldogs
• Bobby Hull: 1969 Chicago Black Hawks.

Hockey Hall of Fame Book of Jerseys is a fantastic examination of hockey's most enduing symbol and is the only book on the subject.

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

The Best of Down Goes Brown by Sean McIndoe

Much to the chagrin of many of the dinosaurs in the mainstream media, every once in a while a new media blogger can make it big. The dinosaurs will have you believe the bloggers are writing anonymously in their underwear from the basement of their parents house. The truth is that these dreaded bloggers often have as much knowledge and insight (or, depending on the individuals, lack of both) as much of the mainstream media.

In the hockey world, no one has broken the snubbed blogger barrier better than Sean McIndoe. Better known online as "Down Goes Brown," McIndoe has combined an astute sense of humour with an innate understanding of hockey on and off the ice to create the hilarious hockey blog empire. He has expanded it to Canada's national newspaper - the National Post. And now he debuts his very first book - The Best of Down Goes Brown

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

In this era of social media everyone - mainstream media very much included - think they are comedians (and political pundits, too, it seems). But to pull it off time and time again is such a rare ability. Humour in hockey can be even tougher, due to how loyal and educated the audience tends to be. McIndoe does it brilliantly. Even if your favorite team or player is the butt of his joke, you have to laugh because he is bang on. And I truly believe this has much to do with his knowledge of the game as his ability to joke and write. He thoroughly has studied both current events and the game's grand history.

If you've been online or on Twitter for any length of time, chances are you know Down Goes Brown to some degree. Undoubtedly you will give this book a look-see when you are at your favorite bookstore. If you're looking for a good read (including a lot of new content exclusive to the book) and a lot smirks and laughs, this is an excellent choice for hockey fans.

But don't take my word for it. Take the word of the mainstream media. It is absolutely mindboggling how accepted this underwear blogger has become in the hockey world. The book opens to nothing but praise from the likes of Bruce Arthur of the National Post, Jim Lang from the Fan590 and several Sportsnet personalities. TSN's Bob McKenzie and James Duthie both contribute forewords.

Duthie and McIndoe, in my estimation, are the two funniest guys in hockey. Duthie has the power of television behind him, not to mention a best selling book. McIndoe has the internet and Twitter on his side, and now he too will undoubtedly have a best selling book.

Hockeytown Doc

There are a lot of great stories to be told from the Detroit Red Wings organization over the past 50 years. Dr. John Finley, the Red Wings team physician from 1957 through 2003, is one of the few people who can say he has had complete access to the team over the past five decades.

Now Finley has compiled his favorite stories in the all new book Hockeytown Doc: A Half-Century of Red Wings Stories from Howe to Yzerman.

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

Book Description

Reflecting on nearly five decades with the Detroit Red Wings, Dr. John Finley takes sports fans far beyond closed doors and into the trainer’s room where cuts were bandaged, broken noses were reset, sore muscles were rubbed out, and casts made for broken bones. In this stellar memoir, Dr. Finley recounts his experiences with the stars on the revitalized Red Wings franchise in recent years, including Steve Yzerman and Nicklas Lidstrom, as well as heroes of previous generations, including 1972 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Gordie Howe. Along the way, Dr. Finley shares some of the most vivid accounts ever written on the subject of sports injuries, including the hundreds of stitches he applied to Borje Salming’s face after it was cut by Gerard Gallant’s errant skate blade, as well as his recommendation on the knee injury sustained by a young Steve Yzerman that ultimately helped maintain his Hall of Fame career.

About the Author

Dr. John Finley served as team physician for the Detroit Red Wings from 1957 to 2003 and is the former president of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons. He lives in Detroit, Michigan. Gordie Howe is a former NHL and WHA player. He is a four-time Stanley Cup champion and the recipient of six Art Ross Trophies, six Hart Trophies, and the first NHL Lifetime Achievement Award. He lives in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Puckster's Back With Two New Titles

Hockey Canada and author Lorna Schultz Nicholson are back at it with their hit new children's book series called Puckster. 2012 sees the friendly polar bear Puckster star in two paperback titles: Puckster's First Hockey Tournament and Puckster's New Hockey Teammate.

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

The series of 4 books, all illustrated beautifully by Kelly Findley, debuted in 2011 with Puckster's First Hockey Game and Puckster's First Hockey Sweater. Puckster is Hockey Canada's mascot. These books are aimed at hockey's youngest fans, hoping hook Canada's youth on both the love of hockey and the love of reading.

At just $6.99, it is the perfect small gift for the young hockey fan on your Christmas shopping list.

Paul Henderson: The Goal Of My Life

“I have been asked a million times what went through my mind when that puck slid into the goal. I have answered it a million times, but I will tell you one more time now what I even said to myself out loud when that puck went in the net - Dad would have loved that one."

Canadian hockey hero Paul Henderson is releasing his memoir. Written with Roger Lajoie, Henderson's book is cleverly titled Paul Henderson: The Goal of My Life.

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

Plenty has been written about and even by Paul Henderson over the years. His heroic goal in the 1972 Summit Series immortalized him in hockey and even Canadian history. Yet this book had the potential to be by far the best piece ever written on Henderson's life. That's because he has gone through a lot since that famous night in September 1972 - from alcoholism to finding god to reinventing himself to battling Leukemia. He has become a hero beyond the hockey rink, and his insights on life promised to captivate.

The result is mixed. The book is enjoyable and easy to read largely because its subject is such a likeable hero in this country. It is well written as author Roger Lajoie expertly captures Henderson's voice, but ultimately it is a standard jock bio. It is a nice read, but no literary gem. It reads very much like a memoir of stories and advice Mr. Henderson wants to leave his grand-children.

That might very well have been on Henderson's mind. He was diagnosed with lymphocytic lymphoma chronic leukemia back in 2009, and has bravely faced off with illness and immortality ever since. He never asked "why me?" or felt sorry for himself. Instead his appreciation for life has actually grown in the face of this adversity. In doing so he has become a hero all over again as he includes his illness in his many speaking engagements and helps others facing their own obstacles, be it cancer or otherwise.

The book fails to bring the secrets to its readers. Henderson could have passed on his advice on how he faces every day with such positivity and zest for life. He could give any reader hope and set an example of how each of us can face our own challenges. Another great Canadian, Michael J. Fox, did that in his book and helped so many people facing Parkinson's. Henderson does not take this path. Perhaps it is because he refuses to let his illness define him.

Henderson talks openly in the book about how appreciative he is that his famous 1972 Summit Series winning goal has changed so many people's life for the better. And that he is fortunate enough to continue to help people with his many public appearances. So it surprised me that devoted so very little space to how he deals with everyday life with cancer. Instead he takes the opportunity to talk about his spirituality.

Henderson has become a devout Christian and his journey is well documented in the book and is a fascinating read. But at no point does he ever really come across as unwanted preaching. He is open about it and it is clearly a huge part of his life, but the book never forces that upon its reader.

Paul Henderson is the all Canadian boy and his life makes for an interesting story. With the help of Roger Lajoie he tells his story in Paul Henderson: The Goal of My Life. We all know who Paul Henderson is, but if you really want to know who Paul Henderson is, this is very much a recommended read.