Art Ross - by Eric Zweig (Paperback)

About the Book

The first authorized biography of Art Ross, Hockey Hall of Famer, founding father of the NHL, and long-time member of the Boston Bruins. Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, and Sidney Crosbie have all hoisted the trophy that bears his name. Learn about Ross's early crusade for players' rights, and why he was a key to the NHL's success.

Book Synopsis

The first authorized biography of Art Ross, Hockey Hall of Famer, NHL founding father, and long-time member of the Boston Bruins.

Though he last played the game nearly one hundred years ago, Art Ross remains connected with the greatest stars in hockey. Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, and Sidney Crosby have all won the award that bears his name, the trophy given annually to the NHL's top scorer. Ross himself managed just one goal during his NHL career; however, in the dozen years leading up to the formation of the NHL in 1917, he was one of the biggest stars in the game.

After his playing career ended, Ross became one of the founding fathers of the Boston Bruins, holding the positions of coach, general manager, and vice president. He was one of the men most responsible for making the NHL a success in the United States, and was integral to the modernization of hockey. All these accomplishments led to him being one of the first players inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Hockey historian Eric Zweig brings to life the early days of hockey. From the mining towns of Northern Ontario to the hallowed halls of Boston Garden, Art Ross was one of the biggest names in hockey over his six decades in the game.

Review Quotes

...a superb addition to any hockey library...one of the most readable hockey historians [with] the books to prove it.-- "The Fischler Report"

A diligently researched portrait of a canny, controversial, colourful hockey icon. Recognition for a hockey genius long overdue. As Cherry would say, "Two thumbs up, Eric!"-- "Brian McFarlane, bestselling author and former sportscaster"

A fascinating read. In fact, when I started reading it I could hardly put it down until I completed it. What a pioneer Art Ross was ... a great story.-- "Scotty Bowman, Hockey Hall of Fame builder and the winningest coach in NHL history"

I enjoyed it very much. I had no idea Art Ross had been such an athlete in his day before he came to Boston. I think this book really has a place in Canadian history, in hockey history, and in NHL history. It was fascinating.-- "Harry Sinden, former coach, general manager, and president of the Boston Bruins"

It is hard to talk about the history of hockey without mentioning the name Art Ross ... from being a player, coach, manager, and on-ice official, to the history of the goalie net, to having a trophy named after him ... just to name a few things Art Ross did over his years. Zweig has uncovered some great stories. A must for all hockey fans.-- "Phil Pritchard, Vice President and Keeper of the Stanley Cup, Hockey Hall of Fame"

It's a big, fat slice of hockey past, one of those books that will delight those who consider themselves scholars of the game.-- "Sun Times"

No one would believe this wild tale if it were a movie ... A child of the Canadian wilderness, who may well have been the country's greatest athlete, becomes a player, coach, manager, and inventor who likely affected the game of hockey more than anyone else. Those who say they should change the Art Ross Trophy to a more recognizable name would cringe in embarrassment after reading Eric Zweig's magnificent biography.-- "Roy MacGregor, bestselling author and Globe and Mail Columnist"

No, Art Ross didn't invent hockey. You can forget that, sometimes, reminded of the extent to which he shaped the game we know today. On the ice, he was skilled and as wily a goal-scoring defender as there's ever been. Off it, a tireless innovator of rules and equipment, he also coached, managed, and gave the Boston Bruins the feisty spirit that defines them still. It's high time his formidable tale was told; Eric Zweig does it with a vim and an eye for detail that delights the fan in me as much as the historian.-- "Stephen Smith, author of Puckstruck"

Painstaking research by one of the best in the business on one of hockey's most influential pioneers.-- "Toronto Sun"

With his wonderful, many-layered, anecdote-rich study of Art Ross, author Eric Zweig does a masterful job of profiling an important figure who was a player, coach, executive, inventor, and innovator during the professional game's crucial, formative years. In Montreal, more than 50 years after Ross's passing, this hockey pioneer has been forgiven -- almost -- for having been an architect in the building of the Boston Bruins.-- "Dave Stubbs, Montreal Gazette"

Zweig does fine work, breathing life into 100-plus-year-old details; his descriptions of Stanley Cup matches from the era of the rover and the "60-minute men" manage to evoke the excitement of those bygone times, while his detailed analysis of the power struggles and high drama in which Ross was fully involved in the early days of the NHL, and the National Hockey Association before it, are both educational and entertaining, even if the reader has little to no prior knowledge of the subject.-- "Winnipeg Free Press"

About the Author

Eric Zweig is a managing editor with Dan Diamond & Associates, consulting publisher to the National Hockey League. His books include Fever Season, Tough Guys: Hockey Rivals in Times of War and Disaster, Star Power: The Legend and Lore of Cyclone Taylor, and, most recently, Twenty Greatest Hockey Goals. He lives in Owen Sound, Ontario.