A Great Game by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper

From the National Post:

The Canadian public got its first look at the title and cover for Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s long-anticipated non-fiction book about the early days of professional hockey.

Set for release on November 5, A Great Game: The Forgotten Leafs and The Rise of Professional Hockey tracks hockey from the first years of Canadian confederation to the First World War.

A promotional website launched by publisher Simon and Shuster promises the book is “a fascinating look at the hockey heroes and hard-boiled businessmen who built the game” and features a one-minute video showcasing black-and-white photos of early hockey teams against a triumphal soundtrack.

Notably, the website makes no reference to the day job of author “Stephen J. Harper,” but assures that he writes with a “fan’s passion.”

Here's the full story

PM Stephen Harper's Hockey History Book Out In 2012

From PostMedia News:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper — the hockey nut that he is — has spent nearly a decade writing a book about Canada's national winter sport. Now, comes word that he is intent on finishing the tome next year.

Harper has a publisher for the book, which isn't expected to merely be a dry history of the game, but rather, a close look at the professionalization of the sport in the early 1990s.

Don't be surprised if the book lands on store shelves in 2012.

Here's the full story.

Gretzky, Howe Share Stories With Harper

For those who are still wondering why exactly Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper prorogued parliament for what appears to be strictly strategic politicking, there is much more on Harper's agenda than planning for elections and budgets and whatnot. He wants to watch the Olympics after all. And on the weekend he had the great opportunity to sit down and ask questions with Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe.

Harper was a special host for a Kinsmen Sports Celebrity Dinner, with Wayne Gretzky as the headline guest. Gordie Howe was a surprise guest. Harper, who early in the week said he'd give up his entire career to have had the chance to play in the NHL, casually interviewed the two legends, hanging on every word of their answers.

The two hockey superstars shared memories and hopes for Canada's 2010 Olympic teams. They also reminisced about the first time the two met, interestingly under very similar circumstances. Howe was the headline guest at Kinsmen dinner back in 1971 when he was introduced to a 10 year old hockey whiz kid - Gretzky.

That meeting was famously immortalized in this photo.

Also of note:

• St. Louis Game Time takes a look at former Blues goalie Ed Staniowski.
• The Toronto Star looks at Gillian Apps great hockey lineage.
• Montreal's tactic of calling up an entire line from the minor leagues is bring back memories of the Razzle Dazzle Line.