Blue Lines, Goal Lines & Bottom Lines
Hockey Contracts and Historical Documents from the Collection of Allan Stitt
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- $24.99
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- $24.99
Publisher Description
Hockey’s rich history explored through some of its most fascinating documents
Every great career in hockey starts with a pen and a piece of paper. In Blue Lines, Goal Lines & Bottom Lines, author Greg Oliver takes a peek into historical documents of the stars, from Wayne Gretzky’s first contract to a scouting report on Mario Lemieux; from Bobby Hull promoting a hair restoration product to Glenn Anderson fighting for his playoff bonuses. And what’s this about baseball Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins playing with the St. Louis Blues? The journeymen tell their tales too, from Lou Nanne explaining why he signed his own retirement papers to Pierre Pilot talking about Elmer “Moose” Vasko’s battle with his weight. Culled from the archives of Allan Stitt, one of hockey’s leading collectors, the book offers up page after page of treats never before seen by hockey fans. The documents that breathe life into Blue Lines, Goal Lines & Bottom Lines are complemented by a wide variety of stunning and rare photos from the Hockey Hall of Fame archives.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this interesting coffee-table book, hockey writer Oliver (Don't Call Me Goon) explores the game's history through contracts and historical documents provided by collector Allan Stitt. The book features short biographies of players (and notable figures in hockey management) and includes photos of their hockey contracts, mostly from the 1960s to 1980s, going back to times when a $500 annual raise made players feel like they had "won the lottery." There are also more whimsical and fun documents; in a questionnaire for players, Jean Beliveau answers the question, "What are your hobbies?" with "Golf and women." A letter from a cereal company executive to the Minnesota North Stars' management, sent with a case of cereal, suggests that veteran player Elmer "Moose" Vasko try making it a part of his diet because "when combined with hard exercise, it will help peel off the pounds fast." Alongside info on stars such as Bobby Hull and Mario Lemieux, the book also includes documents for interesting, under-the-radar players such as Fred Stanfield and Greg Sheppard. Readers will enjoy flipping through this book for fun tidbits, hockey nostalgia, and a glance at the upsides and downsides of less regulated times.
