SportsLit

Down Goes Brown injects a shot of humour directly into the NHL's funny bone.

When you think of Johnny Bower, what comes to mind?

A loveable, charitable, kind man, who could be the archetype of the perfect grandfather?

Goaltender extraordinaire, playing at the highest level into middle age during the NHL's golden era?

All true, as is evident in best-selling author Dan Robson's new book about the legendary Toronto Maple Leafs netminder, but there is also more.

What was his original last name? Why did he change it? Where did he learn his patented poke-check?

Not every question has a direct answer, but Robson (The Athletic) provides layers to Bower’s story by examining his motivations, conveying the depth of his relationships and exploring his roots and familial ties.

SportsLit welcomes Robson back to the show for a conversation about his recent release, Bower: A Legendary Life (HarperCollins). 

As hockey continues to evolve, so to do the people within the game, and those surrounding it.

Everyday Hockey Heroes: Inspiring Stories On and Off the Ice (Simon and Schuster) highlights individuals who have triumphed over adversity, overcome great odds and blazed new trails.

From household names like Wayne Simmonds (Philadelphia Flyers) and Andi Petrillo (TSN) to those who go about their lives far away from the spotlight, veteran broadcasters / writers Jim Lang (105.9 The Region, formerly Sportsnet) and Bob McKenzie (TSN) uncover uplifting stories from across Canada which are told in first person narrative.

SportsLit is pleased to have Lang join the program to converse about his latest release.

Come On You Reds!

For fans of TFC, uttering those words must have rung hollow through much of the club's existence.

The organization appeared to be constantly resetting, apathy was setting in. 

Where had the joy of being a shiny new franchise gone?

Eventually they did get it right and won the MLS Cup in 2017.

Joshua Kloke (The Athletic Toronto) chronicles their story from inception in 2005, through the worst years, to the title run, in his latest book: Come On You Reds - The Story of Toronto FC (Dundurn Press).

He joins SportsLit to discuss his new release. 

When Ken Reid (Sportsnet Central) is not busy doing TV, or raising his young family, he is collecting hockey cards and moreover, writing about them.

In 2014, he released Hockey Card Stories: True Tales from Your Favourite Players - which was a Canadian best seller, since then he has released two other books (One Night Only: Conversations with the NHL’s One-Game wonders & Dennis Maruk: The Unforgettable Story of Hockey’s Forgotten 60-Goal Man).

Now he is back with Hockey Card Stories 2, where he reveals more true tales from NHLers like Doug Gilmour, Guy Lafleur and “The Great One”, Wayne Gretzky.

SportsLit is pleased that Ken Reid returned to discuss his latest work, listen in to find out more about the hobby itself as well as the stories behind the stories about your favourite hockey cards.

Saturday night's all right for fighting, or perhaps - fighting for.

A new book written by David Shoalts (Globe and Mail) examines how Hockey Night in Canada, the crown jewel of Canadian sports broadcasting properties, changed hands from CBC to Rogers Communications in shocking fashion prior to the 2014-15 NHL season.

Shoalts joins Neil Acharya & Neate Sager to discuss Hockey Fight in Canada (Released Sept. 29), exploring the inner workings of the $5.2-billion deal that ended the 62-year reign of a CBC institution.

Don't know much about Keith Pelley, or John Collins? Why is NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to be underestimated only at one's peril?

Find out the answers to these questions and more on the latest episode of SportsLit.

Variety is the spice of life, just ask Rob Simpson.

The current co-host of Stellick and Simmer (SiriusXM) is known primarily for his work covering the NHL (NHL Network, NBC, NESN), but he has chosen the scenic route along the way.  

For his fourth book, Simmer compiles his unique adventures in broadcasting in No Heavy Lifting (ECW Press).

From covering the Detroit Pistons while still attending high school, being embroiled in a Hawaiian political scandal, to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with Zdeno Chara, Simmer pulls no punches while providing a humorous take on the varied, often tense situations he has found himself in as a member of the press.

Tune in, as Simpson discusses his latest publication with SportsLit.

First-time author Daemon Fairless explores and uncovers the propensity toward male violence in Mad Blood Stirring.

Utilizing his background in journalism (producer - CBC - As It Happens, Nature) and science (MSc - Neuroscience - Dalhousie University), Fairless writes compelling narrative non-fiction involving but not limited to: MMA fighters, TFC's Red Patch Boys, the 2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup riot and high school football.

Listen in as we discuss these elements, his findings, experience and much more on the latest episode of SportsLit.

I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire.

The day is hot; the Capulets abroad;

And if we meet shall not 'scape a brawl,

For now, these days, is the mad blood stirring.

(William Shakespeare - Romeo and Juliet)

Teammates called him Killer.

Fans refer to him simply as Dougie.

Born in Kingston, Ontario, Doug Gilmour played twenty seasons in the NHL despite largely being written off early in his hockey career for being undersized.

Along the way the centreman won the Memorial Cup, Stanley Cup, Canada Cup gold, and was integral in resuscitating (even if temporarily) the fledging Toronto Maple Leafs.  Retiring in 2003, he had recorded 450 goals, 964 assists in 1474 games which led to his induction to the Hockey Hall of Fame (Class of 2011).

He was truly a complete player and his combination of intensity, skill and swagger endeared him to legions of hockey lovers, fully...completely.

After years of shunning the idea, he recently released his autobiography Killer: My Life in Hockey with author/journalist Dan Robson.

Robson joins us to discuss why this particular project was significant to both of them, his feature work as a senior writer with Sportsnet and much more.