If you’re going to read all the hockey books and then write about them, you’re going to need an eminently enthusiastic and very patient publisher. I did, anyway, and I was lucky enough to find him in Rob Sanders. Without him and the wise and unfailingly encouraging Jan Walter, Puckstruck would be languishing still on my desk.
For meeting and talking, for answering questions both small and not-so small, and/or for their general willingness to help, my thanks go to: Dave Bidini, Craig Campbell, Lloyd Davis, Stan Fischler, Martin Levin, Roy MacGregor, Ron MacLean, Roy McMurtry, James Milks, Stephen Osborne, Phil Pritchard, Dr. Vern Stenlund, Dianna Symonds, and Jane Winton.
I met Bill Fitsell long ago in the newsroom of the Kingston Whig-Standard and he continues to inspire me with his good-humoured and tireless hockey scholarship. Thank you, Bill.
It’s a pleasure to work with the dedicated team at Greystone: Jennifer Croll and Jessica Sullivan, Andrea Damiani, Lesley Cameron, Ingrid Paulson, Peter Norman, and Beverly Dunne.
Without George Powell, there would have been no rink at Indian Hill.
Thanks to Dr. Mike Evans and Steve Thuringer for picking me for their teams.
I’m grateful to Chris Dennis for his many years of watching my back, even if that’s meant taking a penalty now and again, and to James Darling for his steadfast love of Habs.
Hail to Andy Heintzman, Mike McGowan, Miles Kronby, and Nick de Pencier for getting me down all those (terrifying) rapids and for the laughter and unwavering support. Also to Sarah Atkinson, Ian Spears, Roz Heintzman, Shelagh McNulty, Jennifer Baichwal, and Tammy Quinn: thank you.
Evan Solomon helped shape this book with his insight and literary instincts as much as with his wholehearted passionate self and unapologetic drop-passes.
Dawn and Denis Smith, Alastair and Andrea: abrazos.
Thank you, and love—all of it—to Sarah and Zac and Ruairi, who believe.