Hockey Towns: Stories of Small Town Hockey in Canada

Al Stray is manager of the Port Credit Public Library.

Starting in December 1996, Bill Boyd, a freelance writer and former CBC
producer, visited 20 towns as far west as Trail, British Columbia, and
as far east as Cape Breton. As part of his research for this popular
study of small-town hockey, he interviewed scouts, coaches, former
players, owners, and fans.

It’s interesting to find out what former NHL players—including
Steve Larmer, Gilbert Perreault, and Bill Plager—are doing now. Boyd
also treats the reader to bits of hockey trivia (e.g., Dinah Shore
donated the Shore Cup to the short-lived Western International Hockey
League) and history (e.g., Bobby Hull wasn’t the first player to use a
curved stick—that honor goes to a Winnipeg native playing in Britain,
Chick Zamuck). Have you ever wondered what a scout looks for in a
potential pro? The answer, according to Charlie Hodge, former Montreal
Canadiens’ goalie, is “size, speed, puck-handling, and heart.”
What is the difference between hockey in the 1960s and hockey today?
Coaches have to communicate, not dictate; gone are the days when a coach
could banish a player to the minors on a whim.

Hockey is a business, even at minor levels. The Trentway-Wagar Bees (a
junior team) are a good example. To meet the team’s budget of some
$50,000, it must sell advertising on team sweaters and hold bingos,
raffles, and other fundraising ventures. Is your youngster serious about
a hockey career? A goalie school in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, charges $400
for a five-day session.

This engaging book is proof that hockey is alive and well in small-town
Canada.