Stop It There, Back It Up! 50 Years of Hockey with Howie Meeker offers a lively, opinionated look at half a century of the sport from a former Toronto Maple Leaf star and beloved commentator.
Drawing on decades in and around the NHL, Meeker ranks the best teams, greatest lines, and most dominant dynasties. He highlights his top players, from the hardest hitters and fastest skaters to those with the most devastating shots, and imagines what might have been for gifted athletes whose lives or careers were cut short.
The book remembers the game’s gentlemen, such as Hap Day, Jean Béliveau, and Foster Hewitt, alongside its notorious bad boys, including Eddie Shore, Eddie Shack, and Ted Lindsay. Meeker also tackles the darker side of hockey culture, from famous controversies to off‑ice misconduct.
Looking beyond nostalgia, Meeker compares today’s professional game with the era in which he played for the Maple Leafs and lays out his ideas for fixing a struggling Canadian hockey system. His reflections ask an important question for fans, players, and coaches alike: where does hockey go from here?
Highlights
- Fifty years of NHL stories, rankings, and bold opinions
- Profiles of legendary stars, dynasties, and unforgettable characters
- Insight into the evolution of Canadian and professional hockey
- Thought‑provoking ideas on improving the game’s future
