Central Library Book Review: Don Cherry's Hockey Stories and Stuff

Buffalo Rising 0

Library Staff Review by Suzanne Colligan

Don Cherry's Hockey Stories and Stuff by Don Cherry as told to Al Strachan.

Love him or hate him, Don Cherry of Hockey Night in Canada's "Coach's Corner" is an institution. Dapper Don plays raconteur, while hockey writer Al Strachan provides clarification when it's needed. This works well because it allows Cherry's voice to shine through as he recalls his hockey careers (player, coach, and commentator).

Cherry talks about his days in the AHL, with special attention to the Rochester Americans. (He only played one game in the NHL.) Eventually he would coach the Americans and would go on to become the head coach of the NHL's Boston Bruins. The breadth of his experience provides him with a colorful cast to choose from in telling funny and occasionally strange anecdotes. He also touches upon the success of the 27-year-old "Coach's Corner" segment and his relationship with foil/co-host Ron MacLean.

His stories unfold almost as if he were just having a "pop" with his reader, which can make it difficult to keep up with his career timeline, but the book's photographs and index help to keep score. Cherry calls them as he sees them, making this a fun read!