A comprehensive history of the NHL
Talented hockey writer Sean McIndoe shares the many upd and downs of the National Hockey League in “Down Goes Brown,” which is an entertaining work for fans of pro pucks. I applaud McIndoe’s outstanding research in clearing up the original six’s origins, the league struggles with geography, and explains how an existing NHL franchise was able to partake in an expansion draft. McIndoe provides facts in between the chapters you might find hard to believe, but then again, we are talking about the NHL.
Where did the Stanley Cup come from, how did it evolve into one of the most iconic trophies in sports today? McIndoe does a fantastic job describing the Cup’s history, and how it became an essential piece of NHL history. The author outlines the impact of World War II on the league in its early heydays. i thoroughly enjoyed McIndoe’s notes on the evolution of the rules, and his predictions for the future of the league.
The original six era lasted from 1942 to 1967, and then the NHL expanded, or as one newspaper boasted, exploded by doubling the total number of teams. The author will walk you through the years as future franchises would be granted. Obviously, the league would experience growing pains, as teams relocated. McIndoe breaks down how teams were aligned, even if the decision lacked common sense.
Additionally, the author provides stories for some of the greatest hockey players – Gordie Howe, Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux, Terry Sawchuk, and of course, number 99 himself, Wayne Gretzky. McIndoe relives the trade Peter Pocklington made by shipping Gretzky to Los Angeles, a move that sent shock waves throughout the sports world. Despite Pocklington’s financial woes, the city of Edmonton saved their Oilers from being relocated.
Other topics covered include the transition of leadership to commissioner Gary Bettman, labor disputes that ended in lock outs, the institution of the salary cap, the dead puck era and the dreaded Neutral zone trap, toning down violence, and the league’s struggles with national television contracts. I definitely recommend “Down Goes Brown” for anyone interested in North American hockey.
By: Sean McIndoe
Narrated by: Sean McIndoe
Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
Release date: 10-30-18
Language: English
Publisher: Random House Canada