Roadtrip Reading

If it wasn't apparent, I spent the last week traveling through the northern United States of America directly below my home province. I needed to get a jump on Christmas shopping, so my better half and I planned a week away where we could do some serious shopping. While the sales weren't as great as in previous years, we did find some great gifts to wrap up and put under the old Christmas tree. One of the things I always try to do when away on a trip, though, is devote some time to reading. Starting today, HBIC will be reviewing a good number of books this week, so stay tuned if you're looking for some reading material for your hockey fan!

I had the pleasure of cracking the spine of The Hockey News' latest collectable issue entitled The Best Of Hockey History. While I'm always skeptical when someone proclaims something to be the best, there's no doubt that The Hockey News was and is one of the best hockey publications on the planet. The writers and researchers know the game, and know where to find the tidbits of information that make you warm inside. So does this magazine hold carry the torch?

In short, you bet it does. There were a ton of cool facts and stories from the old pages of THN and images from the Hockey Hall of Fame that may have never been seen before. I found myself shaking my head at what I didn't know that the staff at The Hockey News had included in this magazine. This is easily one of the best publications this year in the world of hockey.

The magazine is broken down into six distinct eras: the Creation of the NHL (1917-1942), the Original Six (1942-1967), the Grand Expansion (1967-1979), the Live Puck Era (1979-1993), the Dead Puck Era (1993-2004), and the Post-Lockout Era (2005-present). Each section's introduction is penned by a different author, and there are a ton of fascinating facts on each page about each year in that era.

For example, were you aware that flooding the ice between periods became mandatory in the NHL in the 1940-41 season? Or that the NHL limited the curve of the blade on a hockey stick to 1.5" in 1967-68? There are all sorts of facts like that spread out through the book as you read through the pages.

Also brought out of the archives are old articles written by THN staffers back in the old days. One article, written by Paul Chandler and published on February 10, 1951, deals with the ten bachelors on the Detroit Red Wings and what they are looking for in a lady friend. It's actually quite funny to read what each of the interviewed men, including Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay, are searching for in a potential squeeze. Who do you think said this about his dream girl?

""I'll marry anytime now. I'm just waiting for the right girl. On the average, there's no difference between Canadian and American girls. Brunettes or blondes are fine, but I can't get along with another red-head. We always clash. I want a wife who's a good cook, but I hope she's good-looking, too."

The answer to this can be found at the end of the article, but there are some definite clues in his words!

Honestly, like the other collectable magazines that The Hockey News puts out, The Best Of Hockey History is definitely a treasure for a hockey fan. The hockey history is so rich and vivid, and there's definitely something on the pages that even the most knowledgeable hockey fan won't know. I know I found myself shaking my head at some of the facts presented in this magazine.

If you're looking for a stocking stuffer, The Hockey News' The Best Of Hockey History will keep your hockey fan occupied for an hour or two on Christmas day!

MO' BRO: Because I missed yesterday's entry into the Mo' Bro All-Star squad while looking at Rockford's Mexican jerseys, we'll do two today. The current Mo' Bro All-Star roster includes Mike Gartner, Wendel Clark, Dirk Graham, Grant Fuhr, Dennis Maruk, Larry Robinson, Mike Ramsey, Derek Sanderson, Lanny McDonald, Bryan Trottier, Dave Babych, Dave Schultz, Rod Langway, Jamie Macoun, and Harold Snepsts, so who can we add today?

Dave Tippett makes the cut today for playing moustachioed for eleven NHL seasons. Tippett actually played with the Canadian National team before signing with the Whalers, and he represented Canada at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. He would don the Maple Leaf once more in 1992 as the team captured a silver medal at the Albertville Olympiad! Tippett's NHL career was more modest as he played a checking role very well. After playing with the Hartford Whalers, Tippett moved on to play with the Washington Capitals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Philadelphia Flyers before retiring. In 721 NHL games, Tippett recorded 262 points while wearing a moustache! A silver medalist in 1992 can certainly make the Mo' Bro All-Stars!

The second man to make the squad today is sniper Michel Goulet!

Michel Goulet actually started his pro hockey career with the Birmingham Bulls, but he was missing his upper lip decoration at that time. It took the jump to the NHL to get him on the moustachioed track. Goulet spent 11 of his 15 NHL season in Quebec City before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks. In Chicago, Goulet went sans-moustache a few times, but was better remembered with his 'stache than without it. He would put together four straight seasons of 50+ goals with the Nordiques, and help the Blackhawks to the 1991 Stanley Cup Final. Goulet proudly represented Canada a number of times, and also played in Rendez-Vous '87 amongst his many All-Star appearances. In 1089 NHL games, the Hall of Famer 1152 scored 1152 points - most of which came while sporting the moustache!

Two more solid Mo' Bro All-Star additions to finish off this article in Tippett and Goulet! If you want to get in on the action, head over to the Movember page and get registered so your 'stache can stand amongst these great 'staches!

And before I go, the man who uttered the quote above about his dream woman? Leonard Patrick Kelly, also known as "Red" Kelly!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!