Hockey Towns: Untold Stories from the Heart of Canada

Description

When you first meet Ron MacLean, he asks where you're from, and he always comes back with a story. No one has crossed this country more than MacLean. In his 28 years on Hockey Night in Canada and now as host of Rogers' Hometown Hockey, Ron has met fascinating people from coast to coast and has had great stories to tell. Now, in this #1 bestselling book, MacLean is back, with brand-new tales from across Canada. These are stories you've never heard before. From London to Castlegar, Yellowknife to St. Catharines, Medicine Hat to Montreal, from Bantam to Junior B to the NHL, our country is full of great characters: players, coaches, hockey moms and hockey dads; rivalries, practical jokes, careers that grew out of nothing and "can't lose" prospects who flamed out too soon; spectacular triumphs, heart-breaking tragedies and tales of friendship, betrayal, love and loyalty-all compelling, entertaining and inspiring. In Hockey Towns, MacLean shares untold stories of superstars Wayne Gretzky and Eric Lindros, of Original Six legends, of junior players who left their hearts on the ice, of blue-collar players who persevered. These tales of triumph and sometimes tragedy will resonate with hockey fans across the country. Once again working with Kirstie McLellan Day, co-author of the blockbuster bestsellers Playing with Fire, Tough Guy and Cornered, this is MacLean at his finest.

RON MACLEAN, host of CBC's Hockey Night in Canada for 28 years, began his broadcasting career in 1978 as an all-night DJ in Red Deer, Alberta. In 1984, he moved to Calgary to host Calgary Flames telecasts. MacLean joined CBC in 1986, where he hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs' telecasts on HNIC, before becoming the full-time national host, and popular co-host of Coach's Corner with Don Cherry in 1987. He has also hosted CBC's coverage of the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, the World Cup of Hockey, the Calgary Stampede and Battle of the Blades. MacLean has been recognized with ten Gemini Awards for excellence on television. The co-author of the bestseller Cornered, he lives with his his wife, Cari, in Oakville, Ontario. Follow him on Twitter @RonMacLeanCBC and @hometownhockey_. KIRSTIE McLELLAN DAY ranks among the top hockey writers in the world thanks to seven national #1 bestsellers: Theo Fleury's Playing with Fire, Bob Probert's Tough Guy, Ron MacLean's Cornered and Hockey Towns, Wayne Gretzky's 99: Stories of the Game, Kelly Hrudey's Calling the Shots, and Curtis Joseph's Cujo. Kirstie, a mother of five great kids, has three grandkids and is married to Pyramid Production television producer Larry Day. They live in Calgary.

"Hockey Towns is more than a compilation of a veteran story-teller's hockey yarns. . . . While all are rooted in Canada's game, the gales are often more like life lessons."--NHL.com "Ron is a quick-witted professional, full of charisma and passion for our game. A true-blue Canadian."--Doug Gilmour "Ron MacLean is the ultimate hockey storyteller because he's heard them all. Tales of stars-to-be, villains and unsung heroes; tales of tragedy and triumph, loyalty and sacrifice."--Ottawa Magazine "Like the man, the book makes good conversation . . . Great stuff here."--The Globe and Mail