All World Hockey by T. Michael Travers

In 1994, before his induction to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame at Toronto's famed Royal York Hotel, 14-year Montreal Canadien veteran, Bernie Geffrion and I sat in the lobby bar and ordered afternoon cocktails to celebrate the honour he was about to receive. " He played at only 5'9" but he was a bull ... scoring 50 goals in the 1960 season (the second player to 50 -- behind teammate, "Rocket" Richard). His scoring success had a lot to do with being credited with inventing the slap shot. On the ice, his opposition couldn't see his shot but they could hear it. His nickname was  "Boom Boom"   for a reason. FUN FACT:  If you were lucky enough to get an Original Six player to sign your gameday program or a BeeHive Corn Syrup collectible hockey picture, or OPCHEE hockey card that signature was always legible and the person who was giving it to you put a little effort into it ... some signatures like Howe and Hull and Orr and Rocket and Beliveau we

I'M A LEAF! I became a fan in 1952 ... c'mon T E E D E R !!! St. Mike's David (don't call me "Davey") Keon. As a youngster, I saw many Leaf games in person at the Gardens plus the Sunday afternoon doubleheader Jr. "A" games that featured Mahovlich and Keon and all the junior hopefuls looking for a spot on the big club. Frank before he became the Big "M" In the 1960s Carl Brewer was my favourite Leaf and I attended all four Stanley Cup parades up Bay Street to City Hall -- how many fans can say that? In one such parade, a photo hung on the Gardens mezzanine floor next to the hot dog stand featuring me, as the kid hanging from the lampost watching my heroes being driven to city hall in convertible cars. The 1960s ... the city showing some love for our boys. Can you imagine what this parade would look like if the Leafs were able to bring the Cup home this year? From 1981 to 1985, my son would perform the job that I (and maybe you) always wante

The Player's Tribute below, written by former Tampa Bay Lightning team captain, Steven Stamkos is outstanding. He relives the anxiety he felt as an 18-year-old in 2008 starting an NHL career with lots expected of him. Steven @ 18 He shouldn't have worried. As of this date in 2024, he's played 1082 games over 16 years for his Tampa team and scored 1137 points . And, it appears he has lots still in the tank as he moves on to play for a new team in Nashville that will undoubtedly make use of his leadership and scoring touch.   I loved everything about his article, except for one thing. In his rookie year, Lightning owners reached back into coaching history and hired former NHL player/ coach, Barry Melrose to run the "Bolts" and create an atmosphere for their new superstar to do his best. It looked like a good fit. Melrose was an expert at handling premier players and creating a good workplace. In 1992-93, he'd shown the way for his Kings to the Stanley Cup Final.

  He was an NHL player for 20 seasons with 6 different teams. His playing style was simple. He was a bull who enjoyed creating chaos and could score the odd goal.  The Leaf players christened him "Sweet Daddy Shackie" after a famous wrestler at the time, "Sweet Daddy Sikki" "Sweetness" However, the fans had another name. "Eddie the Entertainer". It fit. His most frequent opponent was Montreal's Henri Richard. The "Pocket Rocket" was lightning on skates He was a handful ... even for #4   For some reason, it didn't take much for him to engage with Henri who was "Rocket" Richard's brother. Shack hounded the 5'9" 165 lbs. centreman who only wanted to score, win the game and get inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame for his 22 years of NHL service and 11 Stanley Cup rings. The crazy part was that Henri had a "protector" ... the league's heavyweight champion, John Ferguson. Shackie should have stayed