Is the legendary Scotty Bowman the greatest head coach of all time? Bowman, who won an astonishing nine Stanley Cup trophies in his illustrious career, is unquestionably the greatest National Hockey League coach, and in “Scotty,” hall of fame goaltender Ken Dryden makes a compelling argument that Bowman is the greatest coach in any sport, period.
After suffering a fractured skull playing hockey, Bowman learned the ranks of coaching and scouting, paying his dues, until the door of opportunity opened up, After winning the Memorial Cup at the Junior hockey level in 1958, Bowman led the St. Louis Blues to three straight Stanley Cup runners up runs, before winning five Stanley Cups in Montreal, coaching a dynasty that captured four consecutive cups. Bowman learned from the best, the highly success executive Sam Pollock.
The author traces Bowman’s path from selling paint, to working full time in the NHL, starting at age twenty two. While coaching in Montreal, Bowman saw first hand how Pollock stockpiled talent and built the Canadians into a dynasty. Bowman recalls key decisions he made in molding the final team he would coach, the Detroit Red Wings, into Stanley Cup winners. I loved Bowman’s Steve Yzerman stories, explaining how Yzerman would get into a totally focused zone while on the ice.
Dryden wrote much of the book based on conversations with Bowman, as he vividly recalled talent accusations, developing young players, and thoughts behind some of Bowman’s most important career decisions. Bowman also ranks the eight greatest NHL teams of all-time, and towards the end of the book, a tournament establishes Bowman’s greatest team of all time.
Bowman reveals how he adapted to the ever changing culture in professional hockey, being inducted to the hall of fame, his coaching philosophies, and wanting to go out on top, which he was able to do. In “Scotty,” the coach also talks about the evolution of the game, rule changes, and what the future holds for the sport he loves.
If you are a hockey fan, “Scotty” is a must have!
By: Ken Dryden
Narrated by: Ken Dryden
Length: 15 hrs and 32 mins
Release date: 10-29-19
Publisher: McClelland & Stewart