Hockey Town: Life Before the Pros

Ian A. Andrews is editor of the New Brunswick Teachers’ Association’s Focus and co-author of Becoming a Teacher.

Canadians disagree over the location of hockey’s birthplace. They
disagree over the location of our best professional team. In both of
these instances, the options are limited. But when it comes to claiming
the title of Canada’s “Hockey Town,” the claimants grow
exponentially. In Hockey Town, Ed Arnold makes an impassioned and
well-supported case for Peterborough, Ontario.

Arnold uses the 50-year history of the Peterborough Petes to support
his choice. Although many early NHL players like “Dit” Clapper,
“Red” Sullivan, and “Rags” Raglan claimed associations with the
small Ontario town, it was the junior franchise in the 1950s that
propelled the community into its love affair with hockey. Talented
teenage boys were encouraged to leave home to practise their passion and
hone their skills. They were boarded with surrogate parents or
“landparents” in an attempt to provide a stable environment.

Peterborough had the good fortune of affiliation with the Montreal
Canadiens franchise, with legendary Sam Pollack overseeing early
operations. Scotty Bowman, arguably the most successful coach in NHL
history, was one of 20 leaders who went on to similar careers in the top
levels of professional hockey. Although Gary Green spent only two years
as coach, he led the Petes to their only Memorial Cup championship.
Others, like Mike Kennan and Dick Todd, later guided Stanley Cup
winners. Perhaps the most revered mentor was Roger Neilson, who went on
to coach 10 different NHL clubs.

Arnold provides biographies for dozens of the players who left their
mark, not only in the community but in the field of hockey. These
biographies show young men at the beginning of their careers, before
they experienced national or international fame (or infamy). Prankster
Colin Campbell became NHL disciplinarian, Danny Grant and Mickey Redmond
became 50-goal scorers, while Steve Yzerman and Chris Pronger became
Olympic heroes. Even Wayne Gretzky played three games in a Peterborough
uniform as a 15-year-old. The many stories Arnold tells about the trials
and tribulations of young men in a community that prides itself on being
Canada’s “Hockey Town” are well worth reading.