Hockey Towns: Stories of Small Town Hockey in Canada

Bill Boyd does a very fine job cataloging some of the past as he takes us back in time. He allows the reader to sit in the comfort and security of their home and redefine their life of years past.As he poignantly and apologetically establishes early on in the book, he cannot possibly cover all 'Hockey Towns' in Canada.I have had an itch for many years; that is have the opportunity to find out about places that were rich in hockey history that I only knew by name. As a youngster growing up in Timmins, Ontario I only heard of so many of these towns and I was continually 'teased' with little bits of information.Boyd has removed this itch, he rubbed and scratched it to absolute satisfaction. I have had the void filled.I like his style. There are no facades, no pretentions, he presents the information in such a way that it really is easy reading. The reader is not overwhelmed with esoteria or rhetoric; I like that. He is not setting himself up as an expert, nor does he present himself as an arrogant writer out to blow his own horn!His disposition as he presents each town is really another strength.I took the time to write him to express my thanks for allowing me to read about towns I knew only by name. He was grateful for my efforts.A word of caution. If your home town is not included, be gentle in trying to understand that not all hockey towns could be covered in one book.