This book is a tribute to the rivalry the New York Rangers had with the Boston Bruins during the decade that Emile Francis ran the club. Growing up, these two teams are what defined hockey for me and the team was not simply a city or a sweater or a jersey, it was the players. As Mr. Francis himself told me, "Every time we played it was a war. That was the greatest rivalry I've ever seen." I wrote this book for the fans of both teams, hoping that it would bring back some great memories from a time when the game was a lot different than it is today.
We Did Everything But Win: An Oral History of the Emile Francis Era New York Rangers (1964–1976) is an entertaining account of one of the most exciting and unforgettable periods in the history of the Broadway Blueshirts as told by Francis as well as several of his players. George Grimm chronicles each season of the Francis era when “The Cat” transformed them from perennial league doormats to a team that made it to the Stanley Cup playoffs for nine consecutive seasons, including a Finals appearance in 1972. There are also chapters detailing Emile’s playing career and his hiring as general manager as well as the aftermath of his dismissal and an analysis of his tenure behind the bench and as GM. It was during those years that the National Hockey League doubled in size and the Rangers moved into a brand-new Madison Square Garden. As the popularity of the National Hockey League skyrocketed, who could forget the Rangers’ battles on the ice with Boston’s Big Bad Bruins and Philadelphia’s Broad Street Bullies and showdowns with the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Black Hawks? All the great moments are here including a heart-stopping, triple-overtime victory in the 1971 playoffs and Vic Hadfield’s 50th goal the following season. We Did Everything But Win is a tribute to the Rangers of that era; Jacques Plante and Marcel Paille, Eddie Giacomin and Gilles Villemure, Harry Howell and Jim “The Chief” Neilson, “The Old Smoothies,” the “G-A-G Line,” and the “Bulldog Line.” It’s the story of colorful players with nicknames like “Boomer,” “Stemmer,” and “Sarge” and fan favorites such as Brad Park, Rod Gilbert, Jean Ratelle, Walt Tkaczuk. It’s all here—the highs and the lows, the inspiring victories, the devastating losses, and the funny moments along the way.
Featuring exclusive interviews with the greatest players in team history, this is the definitive story of this Original Six franchise, told by the men who built it. Rangers legends—from Frank Boucher and Babe Pratt to Mark Messier, Henrik Lundqvist, and John Tortorella—tell of their experiences with the team to make a comprehensive oral history of the New York Rangers. This collection of first-person accounts is a must-have, perfect for any hockey fan.
"The History of the NHL and the Stanley Cup" is a captivating and comprehensive exploration of the legendary journey of the National Hockey League and its most coveted prize, the Stanley Cup. Authored by James Bren, this definitive book takes readers on an extraordinary odyssey through the origins, triumphs, and transformative moments that have shaped the NHL and immortalized the Stanley Cup as an iconic symbol of hockey excellence. With meticulous research and an engaging narrative, James Bren chronicles the remarkable evolution of the NHL and its premier championship trophy. Starting from its humble beginnings in 1893, the book traces the growth of the league, the fierce rivalries, and the rise of legendary teams and players that have left an indelible mark on the sport. Through captivating storytelling, readers are transported to the early days of the Original Six era, where hockey dynasties like the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings reigned supreme. They will relive the defining moments that have become the fabric of hockey history, from legendary rivalries to the heroics of iconic players who etched their names into the annals of the game. "The History of the NHL and the Stanley Cup" goes beyond the on-ice action and delves into the broader cultural impact of hockey. It explores how the game has woven itself into the fabric of society, bringing communities together and igniting passion and national pride. From the Miracle on Ice to the international stage, the book examines how the NHL and the Stanley Cup have become synonymous with the spirit of competition and the pursuit of athletic greatness. James Bren's expert analysis and deep knowledge of the sport are evident throughout the book as he reveals the untold stories, unforgettable moments, and enduring legacies that have defined the NHL. Drawing on a wealth of archival material, personal interviews, and historical accounts, he provides a comprehensive and engaging narrative that will captivate both avid hockey fans and newcomers to the sport. "The History of the NHL and the Stanley Cup" is a testament to the resilience, passion, and unwavering spirit of hockey. It is a tribute to the men and women who have contributed to the growth and success of the league, and a celebration of the iconic moments that have made the pursuit of the Stanley Cup a timeless quest for glory. Whether you're a die-hard fan, a casual observer, or simply curious about the rich history of the NHL, this book offers an immersive and enlightening journey through the triumphs, challenges, and triumphs of one of the world's most beloved sports. Immerse yourself in the legacy, the drama, and the sheer magic of the NHL and the Stanley Cup as you uncover the captivating story that has unfolded on the ice for over a century.
Famous games and players have been the hallmark of the New York Rangers from their NHL debut in 1926 to the present day. From Frank Boucher and the original Blueshirts to Jaromir Jagr, the Rangers have thrilled their fans with some of the most memorable performances in hockey history. In this newly revised edition of Game of My Life New York Rangers, John Halligan and John Kreiser share the recollections of over twenty of the most famous names in Rangers history as they discuss the most memorable games in their careers. Boucher describes the Rangers' first game; Clint Smith remembers what it was like to win the Stanley Cup in 1940; Mark Messier and the stars of the 1994 team share their memories of the games that ended the fifty-four-year Cup drought; Wayne Gretzky talks about his final NHL game; and Jagr describes his feelings about setting team scoring records. It's the best kind of anecdotal history, in which the people who made history are the ones doing the telling. Game of My Life New York Rangers takes readers inside the mind of each player and behind the doors of the locker room to reveal what really happened, and how it affected the people who were involved in some of the most memorable moments in New York hockey history.
A wildly evocative chronicle of the decade that changed hockey forever. "Lady Byng died in Boston" read a sign in the Garden arena in 1970, a cheery dismissal of the NHL trophy awarded the game's most gentlemanly player. A new age of hockey was dawning. For 30 years, hockey was an orderly and (relatively) well-behaved sport. There was one Commissioner, six teams and five colours--red, white, black, blue and yellow. Oh, and one nationality. Until 1967, every player, coach, referee and GM in the NHL had been a Canadian. And then came NHL expansion, the founding of the WHA, and garish new uniforms. The Seventies had arrived: the era that gave us not only disco, polyester suits, lava lamps and mullets but also the movie Slap Shot and the arrest of ten NHL players for on-ice mayhem. But it also gave us hockey's greatest encounter (the 1972 Canada-Russia Summit), its most splendid team, the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens, and the most aesthetically satisfying game--the three-all tie on New Year's Eve, 1975, between the Canadiens and the Soviet Red Army. Modern hockey was born in the sport's wild, sensational, sometimes ugly Seventies growth spurt. The forces at play in the decade's battle for hockey supremacy--dazzling speed vs. brute force--are now, for better or worse, part of hockey's DNA. This book is a welcome reappraisal of the ten years that changed how the sport was played and experienced. Informed by first-hand interviews with players and game officials, and sprinkled with sidebars on the art and artifacts that defined Seventies hockey, the book brings dramatically alive hockey's most eventful, exciting decade.
Hockey trivia master Don Weekes has cherry-picked more than 800 of his most compelling trivia questions and records to create this authoritative collection. Who was the only player to captain Steve Yzerman in NHL play? When did a forward or defenseman last tend goal during an NHL game? What is the time of the fastest goal from the start of a season-opening game? Irreverent, captivating, and even bizarre, these entertaining stories, historic milestones, and informative stats capture the essence of the game, today and yesterday.
Written by hockey's most authoritative author, this is the definitive collection of Boston Bruins history. In his newly revised edition of Boston Bruins: Greatest Moments and Players, “hockey maven” Stan Fischler examines the storied history of the Boston Bruins from their first game in 1924 to their epic Stanley Cup victory in 2011. Beyond the stats and facts, this veteran sportswriter brings fans off the ice and into the locker room to share a treasure trove of stories and anecdotes from this legendary franchise. Within these pages, Bruins fans will read about all of Boston hockey's most famous names—Phil Esposito, Bobby Orr, Eddie Shore, Milt Schmidt, John Bucyk, and many more.
The autobiography of one of hockey’s first rebels and a beloved member of the “Big Bad Bruins,” this book shares how Derek Sanderson’s ferocious style helped lead the team to two Stanley Cup victories in the early 1970s. Living life in the fast lane, Sanderson grew his hair long, developed a serious drinking problem, and eventually found himself out of the league and prowling the streets for his next drink. In this autobiography, Sanderson comes clean on his life in hockey, the demons that threatened to consume him, and the strength and courage it took to fight his way back. Today a successful entrepreneur and speaker, Sanderson’s incredible story is a must read for any fan of hockey.
