For the Love of Hockey: Hockey Stars' Personal Stories [Paperback]

Chris McDonell (Compiler), John Davidson (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 10, 2007

NHL stars and legends reveal key moments of their careers.

The greatest hockey players of all time share their most vivid memories of the game they love. These stories and anecdotes are essentially joyful, occasionally heart-breaking, and always heartfelt.

Their reminiscences include:

• Dramatic overtime goals
• Record-breaking games
• Team camaraderie
• Devastating trades
• Career-ending injuries.

Thrilling color photographs enhance the personal stories of players from such hockey legends as:

• Rocket Richard
• Gordie Howe
• Jean Beliveau
• Bobby Orr
• Wayne Gretzky.

The book also includes the hottest players of today such as:

• Steve Yzerman
• Mario Lemieux
• Jeremy Roenick.

Told in the players' own words, these stories are infused with the same skill, spirit, character and determination that carried each of these men to the heights of the National Hockey League and made hockey one of the most popular sports in the world.

As hockey attracts more fans of all ages, so will For the Love of Hockey.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"My mom gave a couple of dollars to a woman who was in desperate need of milk for her family. In return, the woman gave my mom a gunnysack full of things, including a pair of skates. My sister Edna grabbed one and I got the other. We went outside and push-glided around an ice pond. When Edna got cold and took her skate off, I put it on my other foot." So begins the story of one of the greatest--and toughest--men to ever play the game of ice hockey, Gordie Howe. Or try Bobby Hull: "We won the Stanley Cup in 1961 when I was 22 years old... but I never did drink out of the Stanley Cup. As the festivities began, I started drinking beer out of the owner's son Mike Wirtz's dirty old felt hat. I got sick as a dog and had to go to bed instead of celebrating that night."

For the Love of Hockey collects the personal stories of 91 of the game's greatest players, stars such as Rocket Richard, Bobby Orr, Guy Lafleur, Wayne Gretzky, and Mario Lemieux. With big, full-color action shots and the words of the players themselves, this is a heartfelt tribute to the most talented practitioners of a fast and furious sport. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Stunning visual and statistical record ... [players] are succinctly profiled with relevant stats, anecdotal material and vintage photographs. (Harvey Frommer SportsWritersDirect on foxsports.com 20001106)

An admirable scrapbook that will hold the attention of any hockey fan. (Globe and Mail 20041123)

Current and former NHL stars reveal significant moments of their careers. (USA Today )

Something to treasure. (London Free Press )

Features stunning photography of the players profiled. (Rudy Mezzetta Hockey News )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books; Revised edition (November 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552096068
• ISBN-13: 978-1552096062
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #738,824 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In their own words, October 17, 2000

By 

Kenneth L koessler III (Webster Groves, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For the Love of Hockey: Hockey Stars' Personal Stories (Hardcover)

This book is necessary for all true hockey fans. The book tells the stories of some of the great stars of the game from today and yesterday. The best part of the book is that it is written in their own words.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for your guy's "reading room", January 9, 2007

By 

S. Rowell "goalie girl" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: For the Love of Hockey: Hockey Stars' Personal Stories (Paperback)

This is a great book for us hockey fans. The stories are short and interesting. Notable players from the history of hockey as well as current players are featured. Let's face it, we want to know everything about our favorite players, some of these stories are surprising.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Happier if not for blank page, November 22, 2009

By 

Michael J. Matassa - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: For the Love of Hockey: Hockey Stars' Personal Stories (Paperback)

I've only just started this book and am sure I'll enjoy it, but I am unhappy about the fact that the second page of John Davidson's foreword is a completely blank white page! This was received as a gift so am not sure if Amazon will do anything to rectify the situation.

Follow-up to compliment Amazon.com - I emailed Amazon about this situation and within hours they set up free 2-day shipment of a replacement and provided a link to print a USPS mailing label at no cost to me. However, though this is not Amazon's fault, the replacement book had the same problem!! If possible I plan to contact the publisher, but I feel it will be to little avail.