Edmonton Oilers Penalty Box Book Club: Book #2

Yeah it’s August the slowest month for Edmonton Oilers fans, but I’m thrilled that we are starting our Penalty Box Book Club. Seriously I am a hockey book nerd: I counted 70 books I have just sitting on shelves or on iBooks. I have even more in boxes stored away in my closet. I was not kidding that I’m a hockey history nut: I try to read everything and anything about hockey, from the well known books (like The Game) to Hockey’s history in the southern United States ( Hockey Night in Dixie). It’s a great way to kill time and I definitely have some recommendations.

The first book that is up there, is The Games of Our Lives by the late Peter Gzowski.

About The Games of Our Lives

The book follows the 1980-81 edition of the Edmonton Oilers through a season. It’s an early edition of the Oilers, only in their second year of NHL existence. There are plenty of familiar names, with Gretzky, Messier and Lowe being predominant, along with the new rookies in Jari Kurri and Paul Coffey. The 80-81 season was a season that did not start strong for the Edmonton Oilers: they were a young team, just barely on the cusp on greatness, but their greenhorn ways showed. They were by far the youngest team in the NHL.

The greatest part of Gzowski’s book is the attention to detail to the entire team. Lesser known players like the colourful black ace Curt Brackenbury or Blair MacDonald have some spotlight. You see the struggles that Sather has to deal with in regards to firing Head Coach Bryan Watson, who was a great guy and a personal friend to Sather. MacDonald, then team captain, is traded to Vancouver during the year. It was a difficult trade because MacDonald had a pregnant wife and was nearly finished building a new house in Edmonton. You also have the fascinating tale of Don “Murder” Murdoch: cousin to Mark Messier who was a young star with the New York Rangers, who had trouble with the law due to possession of Cocaine. One of Sather’s reclamation projects, you want to cheer for Murdoch, especially when he visits his former team in New York. Yet, Hockey can be a cruel game as Murdoch, unable to find his scoring ways, is sent to Wichita of the AHL.

There’s also some funny behind the scene stuff, such as the ritual “shave” where poor rookie Paul Coffey had to endure. Another humorous tale was a report who got shaved as well, fooled by the players in a weight lifting contest.

Of course, there’s a predominance on the brilliance of Gretzky. At such a young age, Gzowski does a marvellous job of transcribing what Gretzky brings to the game and how unique his talents were. Honestly, that sentence I just wrote does not do enough justice.

You also have a feature on then owner Peter Pocklington and his background of how he came to own a hockey team. You also have later additions like Garry Lavierre, Pat Hughes and Garry Unger join the team for a playoff push. There’s also a nice back and forth with Sather and his goaltending woes of how he ended up acquiring Gary Edwards (that’s a lot of Gary’s.).

Stars

For my ranking, 1 star is the lowest grade you can get. You’d have to be hardpress to get a one. 5 Stars are the peak of hockey book excellence. 3 Stars is a good, if not outstanding read.

This book however, is an easy 5/5. I think I’ve read this book about three or four times already. I consider this book to be one of the best hockey books ever written, up there with Ken Dryden’s The Game. It’s just a great look of how the youthful Oilers were. Remember, this is pre dynasty years. There were a lot of growing pains. There was also a part midway through about the authors life with hockey that can resonate with any hockey fan.

I think my favorite part was near the end where the Oilers upset the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the playoffs. The story of the legendary Forum and the pressure of playing in Montreal is highlighted and the Oilers came out victorious. It was also interesting to see how some of the Montreal Media portrayed the Oilers prior to the Habs defeat. Andy Moog is especially spotlighted as the young rookie goalie who took over the starting position for the playoffs.

Oil Rating

Since it’s a book that is about the Edmonton Oilers 1980-81 season, you can definitely expect a high Oil Rating. It’s all about the Oilers. Not only do I consider this one of the best books out there about Hockey, it’s probably the best Edmonton Oiler book you will read.

It’s a must read for any hockey fan out there, Oilers fan or not. Find it here.

Next: Edmonton Oilers Penalty Box Book Club: Book #1

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