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Hockey History

Hockey history is full of surprises, amazing stories and athletes who never cease to surprise. It is more than just stories about the NHL, it is tales from the minor leagues, the bush leagues, and much more. And, it is not just a Canadian story.

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I have been researching and writing about hockey history for many years, actually several decades. Along the way I have not only made some interesting discoveries, but I have also had the honour of meeting and interviewing some of the people who have made hockey history. And, in the pages that follow, and will ultimately be listed below, you too, will be able to meet through their stories, hockey personalities such as Harry Lumley, "Ace" Bailey, "Buck" Jones, Jean Beliveau, Bill Gadsby, John Zeigler, and many more.

A Hockey History Surprise:
An Unexpected Interview

One of my great surprises during my career as a chronicler of hockey history occurred in November 1999. One night, former Boston Bruin Stanley Cup champion Pat McReavy telephoned me to say that Tommy Burlington would like me to interview him.

What was so special about an interview with Tommy Burlington? Well, to many hockey historians, Burlington is the greatest North American hockey player never to play in the NHL. And, the story about why he never skated with an NHL team is in itself a piece of hockey history. And, four almost four decades, Tommy had refused to give an interview to anyone. (His last published story appeared in the Toronto Star about 1960.)

Pat McReavy gave me Tommy's telephone number and told me to call him right away. When I called MR. Burlington he insisted that I come to his house the next night. Check below for the article that resulted from my interview with Tommy Burlington.

A hockey history story that I am sure that you will enjoy involves a unique league that involved only teams from one state of the United States, and, all of the teams played in the same arena. There are many interesting "firsts" for the hockey history books in this article, but perhaps the most interesting is how this league introduced "slow motion" to the game of hockey!

Another story features a hockey player who grew up in a small city in Ontario, but retired from hockey to work in Florida and raise his family. His biography has many twists and turns, including a trade that surprised him and his best friend.

One of my Childhood Hockey Heroes

Another hockey player you will meet, is the youngest goalie ever to suit up with an NHL hockey team. His Hockey Hall of Fame career took him from a Stanley Cup championship team in Detroit to Chicago, Toronto, and Boston. He even played one period of a hockey game for the New York Rangers.

Whether you are a fan of hockey history, or a follower of your favourite team, you will find something that catches your attention in this section of history-articles.com.