Synopses & Reviews
An intimate, humorous look at Brian Kilrea's 60-year career in junior hockeyWith more wins than any coach in junior hockey history, and a personality as large as his winning record, Brian Kilrea is more than a hockey legend, he's one of the most beloved figures in the game. With veteran sportswriter, James Duthie, Kilrea gives fans a rink-side view of his early days as a player with the Red Wings and what it was like to score the first-ever goal in the history of the L.A. Kings; as well as his role as a coach for the Ottawa 67s and as a mentor to young stars of the future. With stories and comments from famous NHLers who played for Killer, including Bryan Trottier and Dennis Potvin, as well as coaches, trainers, and general managers, readers will get a taste of Kilrea's hardnosed coaching style, as well as the knowledge and dedication that has made him last so long.
- Anecdotes from NHLers like Mike Peca, Gary Roberts, Doug Wilson, Brian Campbell, Darren Pang, and many others
- An inside look at the day-to-day life in the world of junior hockey, including brutal practices, broken curfews, trades, and tirades
With a Foreword by lifelong friend, Don Cherry, They Call Me Killer is a fascinating, real-life look at the world of junior hockey and the man who has meant so much to the sport.
Synopsis
An intimate, humorous look at Brian Kilrea's 60-year career in junior hockeyWith more wins than any coach in junior hockey history, and a personality as large as his winning record, Brian Kilrea is more than a hockey legend, he's one of the most beloved figures in the game. With veteran sportswriter, James Duthie, Kilrea gives fans a rink-side view of his early days as a player with the Red Wings and what it was like to score the first-ever goal in the history of the L.A. Kings; as well as his role as a coach for the Ottawa 67s and as a mentor to young stars of the future. With stories and comments from famous NHLers who played for Killer, including Bryan Trottier and Dennis Potvin, as well as coaches, trainers, and general managers, readers will get a taste of Kilrea's hardnosed coaching style, as well as the knowledge and dedication that has made him last so long.
- Anecdotes from NHLers like Mike Peca, Gary Roberts, Doug Wilson, Brian Campbell, Darren Pang, and many others
- An inside look at the day-to-day life in the world of junior hockey, including brutal practices, broken curfews, trades, and tirades
With a Foreword by lifelong friend, Don Cherry, They Call Me Killeris a fascinating, real-life look at the world of junior hockey and the man who has meant so much to the sport.
Synopsis
A legend in junior hockey, Brian Kilrea has more wins than any other coach in the Canadian Hockey League, and is beloved by many for his gruff yet personable style. So, does a guy who has played for Eddie Shore with Don Cherry; coached NHL stars like Mike Peca, Bobby Smith, Brian Campbell, Gary Roberts, and Darren Pang; led the Ottawa 67's to 1193 wins; and scored the first-ever goal for the LA Kings have a few good stories to tell? You'd better believe it!
With veteran sportswriter and TSN personality James Duthie, Killer (as Brian is affectionately known) shares the highlights and lowlights, cheers and jeers of a tremendously successful and colourful life in the world of hockey.
Hilarious and enthralling stories include
- The time Eddie Shore put a noose around a player's neck
- What it was like to skate on a line with Gordie Howe
- Killer's Commandments for successful hockey
- What a whole lot of people who played for him really think of him
Like sitting down with Killer for a beer or two, only cleaned up to make it respectable (well, mostly), They Call Me Killer is a rambunctious romp through hockey with one of the greatest people the game has ever seen.
Synopsis
FROM THE FOREWORD" Brian Kilrea is the best junior hockey coach of all time. And he would have been coach of the year in the NHL, if he had the chance. Just like me. The other thing he's great at is tellin' stories. Brian is a storyteller deluxe. This book's a beauty, and I know you are gonna love it."
- Don Cherry
More praise for They Call Me Killer
" If you love hockey and you love great, old-time hockey stories, you will love They Call Me Killer."
- Bobby Orr
" Brian Kilrea was the best coach I ever had, period. And this book is full of wonderful, hilarious, unforgettable stories that brought me back to those great days with the 67's."
- Darren Pang, former NHL goaltender and hockey commentator
" Brian Kilrea is a legendary character in hockey, and one of the sport's great storytellers. They Call Me Killer is a terrific read for anyone who loves the game."
- Steve Yzerman, General Manager and Vice President, Tampa Bay Lightning
About the Author
Brian Kilrea was the head coach of the Ottawa 67's from 1974-84, then again from 1986-2009 and is currently their General Manager. He has more wins than any other hockey coach in junior hockey history and the CHL Coach of the Year award is named after him. Kilrea was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003. In 32 seasons as head coach of the Ottawa 67's, he had only six losing seasons and missed the playoffs only once- astonishing accomplishments in junior hockey.
James Duthie is a graduate of the Carleton University School of Journalism, and is best known for his work on The NHL on TSN and his coverage of the World Junior Championship. He is host of TSN's NHL Draft coverage and was national co-host for CTV/TSN's coverage of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. James has been nominated for a Gemini six times and has also won TV Guide's "Sportscaster of the Year" award. His work has appeared in The Hockey News, Today's Parent and the Ottawa Citizen.
Table of Contents
Foreword (
Don Cherry).
Preface (James Duthie).
Chapter 1: They Call Me . . . Gig?
Chapter 2: Cigars, Anne Murray and Polar Bears.
Chapter 3: Somewhere There's a Hero.
Chapter 4: One Minute Between Legends.
Chapter 5: A Chance on Lance.
Chapter 6: Life in Hell with Eddie Shore.
Chapter 7: Move the Puck! (And Killer's Other Hockey Commandments).
Chapter 8: Ralph.
Chapter 9: Grapes and Me.
Chapter 10: Stopping Mario (The First Memorial Cup).
Chapter 11: The Boys on the Bus.
Chapter 12: Long Nights on Long Island.
Chapter 13: You Got Three Options!
Chapter 14: Did I Tell You the One About . . .?
Chapter 15: The Call of the Hall.
Chapter 16: Winger for Life.
Chapter 17: Eyewitness to a Killer.
Chapter 18: Time To Go.
Index.