Sheldon Kannegiesser with the Los Angeles Kings — 1975.

Author - Sheldon Kannegiesser
“The Hockey Player Poet”

What readers are saying

When I heard your book was poetry, I said, “no thanks—real hockey players don't write poetry!” But then a friend gave me your ‘Hock and McKey’ poem to read about the roots of ice hockey, and I laughed so hard it made my sides ache! I would never have believed I could have so much fun reading this stuff! I went out immediately and bought several copies of your book for friends who love it!

Dave M., Ontario, Canada

As a woman who's never had an interest in sports and knows absolutely nothing about hockey, it's hard to believe I could enjoy this book so much! It made me laugh out loud and it made me cry (especially your poem “Donuts!” about Tim Horton). I love the rhyme and rhythm of these poems—it's addictive and what's more, you've turned me into a hockey fan!

Leslie B., Santa Barbara, California

I'm a long-time hockey fan and have to admit I've always enjoyed the fights. The way you describe them so vividly and colorfully in your poems ‘The Irish Rebellion,’ and ‘The Mighty Hutch,’ made me feel like I was in the middle of the action. Knowing these fights were actual events is the best part and puts this book over the top!

Robert G., Ventura, California

There are no words I can use to describe the ‘Series of '72’ except that it's absolutely brilliant! Reliving the events of that Series in rhyme was amazing! The colorful and descriptive language is gripping and could only have been written by someone with an intimate, inside knowledge of the game, and a rare gift for the written word.

Jerry L., Ontario, Canada

Table of Contents

Preface 9
The Fearless John Hock and The Mighty Michael McKey 15
Glory Days 21
The Iron Lung 29
Shoulder to Shoulder With The Big M 33
Donuts! 37
"Kamikaze" Cal 45
Toronto's Lonely Lady of the Street 49
The Ballad of Bryan "Bugsy" Watson 55
Warriors of Winter 61
Here's Howe! 67
Bacon Parallel 71
Courting Lady Luck 75
Philadelphia’s Benevolent Society 81
On The Road Again 85
The Don of Ice Hockey (The Paradoxical Man) 89
Standing Orrvation 95
Mid America Airlines—“Flying By the Seat of Our Pants” 99
My Big Chance! 103
They Sent Me Down To Chocolate Town 109
It’s Good To Be King 115
Styles by Myles 119
Running On Empty 123
The Irish Rebellion 125
The Turk 131
Those Crazy Canucks 135
He Could Bite a Wall 141
The Mighty Hutch 145
Whose Pants Are You Wearing? 149
Wrong Way Nipper 153
The Series of '72 159
Thanks Dad 177
Dictionary of Names, Words and Phrases 181