The Official National Hockey League 75th Anniversary Commemorative Book

Julie Rekai Rickerd is a Toronto broadcaster and public relations
consultant.

This book may well become hockey fans’ all-time favorite. An official
publication of the NHL to celebrate the League’s birthday, it is a
handsome coffee-table tome superbly produced by McClelland and Stewart.
Its editor, Dan Diamond (consulting publisher to the NHL and a hockey
writer himself), employs the talents of various well-known sports
writers and broadcasters, including Trent Frayne, Frank Orr, Brian
McFarlane, and Dick Irvin. Hockey Hall of Fame legend Jean Beliveau, a
507-goal scorer, writes his own chapter.

Canada’s national pastime grew out of the highly competitive but
mostly amateur hockey leagues in Canadian farming, mining, and logging
communities, which never lacked ice during the long, cold winters. As
the game progressed to professional levels, a series of hockey
associations came and went until they were united in a professional
league known as the NHL in 1917.

The ensuing 75 years brought amazing players and teams into the
spotlight. Of the original 5 teams (the league has now expanded to 21),
Toronto won the first Stanley Cup. Dynasties arose, such as the
pre–1967 Toronto Maple Leafs, the Montreal Canadiens, and later the
New York Islanders and the Edmonton Oilers. Superstars Howie Morenz,
Charlie Conacher, and Ace Bailey gave way to Ted Kennedy, Gordie Howe,
Maurice Richard, Frank Mahovlich, and Bobby Hull—who, in turn, were
superseded by Bobby Orr, Ken Dryden, Mike Bossy, Wayne Gretzky, Mario
Lemieux, and Brett Hull (Bobby’s son). Hockey wizard Alan Eagleson
founded the NHL Players Association and ran it for 25 years; he
brilliantly created the arena for international tournaments. No one will
ever forget Paul Henderson’s goal at the 1972 Canada Cup in Moscow.

One of the fastest and most ferocious sports, hockey is also one of the
most exciting to watch. At its best, it combines speed, skill, and
extreme endurance, as witnessed in this excellent book of reminiscences.
Despite having its share of problems over the years—some financial,
others dealing with such aspects of the game as increased violence—the
ethos of hockey survives and the sport continues to amaze and entertain.
The Official NHL 75th Anniversary Commemorative Book does the game proud
and is itself worthy of celebration.