Of Myths and Sticks: Hockey Facts, Fictions and Coincidences

Emerging from his role as the behind-the-scenes statistical guru at TSN, Gibson delivers a rollicking read that is as much about irreverence and laughs as it is about the wins, losses, goals, assists, and saves that define hockey data. He debunks some of the oft-repeated myths and legends in hockey and sets the record straight with statistics and research. There is plenty of "just the facts" history. Gibson delights in the obscure, citing the first hockey player to appear on the cover of Time (surprisingly, goalie Lorne Chabot in 1935) and the excellent record of the New York Rangers on Christmas Day, even if the NHL hasn't played on that day in 20 years. Readers will be entertained by his attempt to link the historical shoot-out at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Ariz., to a shoot-out in a Coyotes game, as well as the entire chapter on coincidences. This compendium will serve readers well in sports trivia debates, and memorable tales will provide them with plenty of amusing anecdotes to share. (May)