Captain

May 8, 2017
Sittler’s third book about his storied NHL career is essentially a scrapbook of his days on the ice, but it also gives readers intimate glimpses of his personal life. It begins with his early life in St. Jacobs, Ont., and moves through his days in junior hockey; his professional career with the Maple Leafs, Flyers, and Red Wings; and into retirement. It’s less revelatory than reflective as he revisits old teammates and opponents (with rarely a harsh word spoken) and savors memories such as his still-unmatched 10-point night and his 1976 Canada Cup–winning goal. The action shots leap off the page, but the personal photos and stories are the most rewarding. When he played a Christmas game in Minneapolis, his parents sent a telegram: “Merry Christmas to you and Leafs keep up the good work love Mom Dad and kids.” And even the most hardened hockey fan will shed a tear as he shares memories of his first wife, Wendy, and their last moments together as she succumbed to cancer in hospital. Sittler, a public figure for most of his years as the Leafs’ team captain, lets his guard down just enough to make this a worthwhile read.