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Just when you thought hockey couldn’t get any weirder, here come the fights, face plants, and far-out tales you never saw coming.
NHL history is much more than the collection of tales about its legends and champions. In this book, you'll discover long-forgotten journeymen, one-game wonders, and back-up goaltenders who have their own fascinating stories to tell.
Stories of the legendary teams and players take a back seat to the less-heralded standouts of the era: Swedish sensation Hardy Åström, the streaky Ross Brooks, the trailblazing London Lions, the fifteen-day Ottawa Civics, the phantom Taro Tsujimoto, and more, who shaped the game in surprising ways. Steve Currier delves into the quirky history of forgotten franchises, obscure players, and head-scratching experiments that defined the 1970s. By focusing on the overlooked oddities and misfits of the sport, Mucking in the Corners offers a fresh perspective on hockey’s most chaotic decade.
NHL history is much more than the collection of tales about its legends and champions. In this book, you'll discover long-forgotten journeymen, one-game wonders, and back-up goaltenders who have their own fascinating stories to tell.
Stories of the legendary teams and players take a back seat to the less-heralded standouts of the era: Swedish sensation Hardy Åström, the streaky Ross Brooks, the trailblazing London Lions, the fifteen-day Ottawa Civics, the phantom Taro Tsujimoto, and more, who shaped the game in surprising ways. Steve Currier delves into the quirky history of forgotten franchises, obscure players, and head-scratching experiments that defined the 1970s. By focusing on the overlooked oddities and misfits of the sport, Mucking in the Corners offers a fresh perspective on hockey’s most chaotic decade.
Price: $21.99
Pages: 320
Publisher: Dundurn Press
Imprint: Dundurn Press
Publication Date:
24 November 2026
Trim Size: 9.00 X 6.00 in
ISBN: 9781459757158
Format: Paperback
BISACs:
SPORTS & RECREATION / Winter Sports / Hockey, Ice hockey, SPORTS & RECREATION / History, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Sports, True stories / true accounts of events, Biography: sport
For anyone who loves hockey and history, and who thinks they know all the stories, this is a must-read. The 70s in hockey were so full of life, and stories, and personalities; we may never know them all, but this book gives you a few more.
Mucking in the Corners is a nonstop thrill ride through the wacky, crazy, and always hilarious 1970s NHL. Buckle-in for this must-have addition to your hockey library!
Steve Currier captures some of hockey's wildest and most compelling moments in a book which belongs in the library of both hockey historians and casual fans alike. Immaculately researched, he takes you back to a time where the NHL and WHA were at war and the players were just as colourful and compelling as the uniforms they wore. Whether you watched these moments on your new colour television, read about them in the newspaper, or simply love great stories about the game, Mucking in the Corners will take you back to an unforgettable era.
Steve Currier has done a masterful job of unearthing many long-forgotten and hilarious stories from hockey's rich history. Mucking in the Corners goes beyond the familiar tales of Stanley Cups and superstars to shed light on countless crazy tales that are certain to entertain both avid and casual hockey fans alike.
Another hockey book full of old time facts and stories. I found it very informative and interesting. I can't wait for your next classic.
Mucking in the Corners is a nonstop thrill ride through the wacky, crazy, and always hilarious 1970s NHL. Buckle-in for this must-have addition to your hockey library!
Steve Currier captures some of hockey's wildest and most compelling moments in a book which belongs in the library of both hockey historians and casual fans alike. Immaculately researched, he takes you back to a time where the NHL and WHA were at war and the players were just as colourful and compelling as the uniforms they wore. Whether you watched these moments on your new colour television, read about them in the newspaper, or simply love great stories about the game, Mucking in the Corners will take you back to an unforgettable era.
Steve Currier has done a masterful job of unearthing many long-forgotten and hilarious stories from hockey's rich history. Mucking in the Corners goes beyond the familiar tales of Stanley Cups and superstars to shed light on countless crazy tales that are certain to entertain both avid and casual hockey fans alike.
Another hockey book full of old time facts and stories. I found it very informative and interesting. I can't wait for your next classic.
Steve Currier is an Ottawa-based hockey historian, author, and member of the Society for International Hockey Research.
- Introduction
- Part I: Hockey Gods at Work
- 1 Fit to Be Tied
- 2 Last- Second Goals for the Ages
- 3 Ross Brooks: The Man Who Couldn’t Lose
- 4 He Shoots, He Scores, Bring Out the Stretchers
- 5 Jacques Be Nimble
- 6 A Trio of Tricks
- 7 The Luckiest Hat Trick
- 8 Pronovost’s Coincidental Goal
- 9 Fit to Be Tied Once More
- 10 Don McLeod: King of the Penalty Shot
- 11 Coaching Kiss of Death
- Part II: Goalie Guffaws
- 12 “Suitcase” Smith: Packed and Ready to Score
- 13 “Smokey” McLeod Saves Doug Favell
- 14 Minnesota’s Good Samaritan Goalie
- 15 Al Smith Quits the Sabres
- 16 Cheesy’s Coaching Debut
- Part III: From Doubt to Destiny
- 17 The Islanders Drop the Bruins
- 18 The Night the Hamburgers Ate Hot Dogs
- 19 Tip of the Cap
- 20 The Cleveland Crusaders’ Epic Comeback
- 21 Hardy Åström’s Debut for the Ages
- 22 Maine Mariners Sink the Caps
- 23 How the Cleveland Barons Derailed a Dynasty
- Part IV: Hockey Hijinks
- 24 Imlach’s Draft Ruse
- 25 Sometimes There’s Such a Thing as Bad Press
- 26 Carol Vadnais: Criminal Mastermind?
- 27 Nailed It!
- 28 The Trailblazing Female Streakers of Hockey
- 29 The Mythical Star Who Won Buffalo’s Heart
- 30 Gord McRae’s Brush with Ballard
- Part V: Dream Teams Dashed
- 31 The London Lions Take on Europe
- 32 Blind Faith and a Pig in a Poke
- Part VI: Baffling Gimmicks and Fiascos
- 33 Technicolor Blades
- 34 The Free- Faceoff Rule
- 35 Revenge of the Free Shot!
- 36 The Coach Who Never Was
- Part VII: Punches, Pugnacity, and Pandemonium
- 37 The Fabulous Plager Boys
- 38 Valentine’s Day Mayhem
- 39 The Coca- Cola Bottlers’ Cup
- 40 The Thanksgiving Day Massacre
- 41 John Wensink: One Man Gang
- Acknowledgements
- Sources
- Image Credits
- Index