A handful of hockey books of note are on the verge of being released or came out during the NHL’s lockout year. A quick look:
“A Season of Loss, A Lifetime of Forgiveness: The Dan Snyder and Dany Heatley Story,” by John Manasso of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Scheduled for release Oct. 23, the book looks at the aftermath of the 2003 auto accident in which Heatley, the Thrashers’ young star, lost control of his Ferrari, and which led to the death six days later of his passenger and teammate, Snyder. Manasso primarily focuses on Snyder’s family and touches on its decision to forgive Heatley – now with Ottawa – and to urge that he not be prosecuted.
“The Rebel League: The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association,” by Ed Willes of the Vancouver Province: Willes tracked down hundreds of figures from the WHA and tells the story of the wacky renegade league, and even found time for a mention or two of the old Denver Spurs, who moved in midseason to Ottawa. It’s a well-done, fun read.
“Sidney Crosby: Taking the Game by Storm,” by Gare Joyce of the Toronto Globe and Mail: The one thing we knew during the lockout was that Crosby was the prize awaiting one lucky team after the settlement, and the Pittsburgh Penguins landed him. In the early days of his NHL career, this look at the young phenom who played major junior for the Rimouski Oceanic serves as enlightening background.
“Birth of a Dynasty: The 1980 New York Islanders,” by Alan Hahn of New York Newsday; and “67: The Maple Leafs, Their Sensational Victory and the End of an Empire,” by Damien Cox of the Toronto Star and Gord Stellick: Respected hockey writers look back at a pair of historic championship teams – the Islanders’ team that began the franchise’s dominating run in the early 1980s, and the Leafs’ title team in the final year of the Original Six.
“Hockey’s Greatest Moments,” by Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: One of the best coffee-table books since the opening of Starbucks.
