Great Game

Drawing on extensive archival records and illustrations, histories of the sport, and newspaper files, Canadas Prime Minister delves into the fascinating early years of ice hockey.In the tumultuous beginnings of hockey, the fights were as much off the ice as on it. This engaging new book is about the hockey heroes and hard-boiled businessmen who built the game, and the rise and fall of legendary teams pursuing the Stanley Cup. With a historians perspective and fans passion, Stephen Harper presents a riveting and often-surprising portrait, capturing everything from the physical contests on the rinks to the battles behind the scenes.Stephen Harper shows that many things have stayed the same. Rough play, fervent hometown loyalties, owner-player contract disputes, dubious news coverage, and big money were issues from the get-go. Most important in these early years was the question: Was hockey to be a game of obsessed amateurs playing for the love of the sport, or was it a game for paid professionals who would give fans what they wanted? Who should be responsible for the sportincluding its bouts of violenceboth on and off the ice.A century ago, rinks could melt, and by halftime the blades screwed to the players shoes could be sinking in mud. It was during this time that the unsuccessful Toronto Professionals of 1908 and the victorious Toronto Blue Shirts of 1914 battled for the citys very first Stanley Cup. Against the fanatical opposition of amateur hockey leaders, these forgotten Leafs would lay the groundwork for the worlds most profitable hockey franchise.In paying tribute to these hockey pioneers and the contagious loyalty of their fans, Harper resurrects the history of hockeys first decades. Lavishly illustrated with photographs of the games greatest arenas and earliest star players, this entertaining and original book will captivate you from start to finish.