Hitch, Hockey's Unsung Hero: The Story of Boston Bruin Lionel Hitchman

Distinguished sportswriter Elmer Ferguson called him the "greatest defensive" defenseman of his day. The NHL's revered chief referee Cooper Smeaton ranked him ahead of his defense partner, Eddie Shore. Legendary manager of the Boston Bruins, Art Ross, wouldn't sell him "at any price." And yet he goes unrecognized by the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Lionel Hitchman, or "Hitch," played 12 seasons in the NHL. First with the Ottawa Senators, helping them to a Stanley Cup win, and then with the Boston Bruins for ten years. As the Bruins' captain and first "money player," Hitch led them to their first Stanley Cup final and championship and to the NHL's best winning point percentage of all time.

His hockey stats belie his real contribution to the success of the Boston Bruins. Hitch was the last original Bruin and the first to have his sweater retired. After his playing career, he went on to coach in the Boston system for several years before parting ways with the franchise.

Hitch, Hockey's Unsung Hero, is the story of an unheralded "superstar," the times he lived through and the fascinating people who helped shape his character and life choices. It is told through the "scribes" of the day with interjections by some notable people who knew him well. A few family tales are revealed, including one that helps explain Hitch's absence from hockey's highest shrine.

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Hitch, Hockey's Unsung Hero: The Story of Boston Bruin Lionel Hitchman

Distinguished sportswriter Elmer Ferguson called him the "greatest defensive" defenseman of his day. The NHL's revered chief referee Cooper Smeaton ranked him ahead of his defense partner, Eddie Shore. Legendary manager of the Boston Bruins, Art Ross, wouldn't sell him "at any price." And yet he goes unrecognized by the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Lionel Hitchman, or "Hitch," played 12 seasons in the NHL. First with the Ottawa Senators, helping them to a Stanley Cup win, and then with the Boston Bruins for ten years. As the Bruins' captain and first "money player," Hitch led them to their first Stanley Cup final and championship and to the NHL's best winning point percentage of all time.

His hockey stats belie his real contribution to the success of the Boston Bruins. Hitch was the last original Bruin and the first to have his sweater retired. After his playing career, he went on to coach in the Boston system for several years before parting ways with the franchise.

Hitch, Hockey's Unsung Hero, is the story of an unheralded "superstar," the times he lived through and the fascinating people who helped shape his character and life choices. It is told through the "scribes" of the day with interjections by some notable people who knew him well. A few family tales are revealed, including one that helps explain Hitch's absence from hockey's highest shrine.

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Hitch, Hockey's Unsung Hero: The Story of Boston Bruin Lionel Hitchman

Hitch, Hockey's Unsung Hero: The Story of Boston Bruin Lionel Hitchman

by Pam Coburn
Hitch, Hockey's Unsung Hero: The Story of Boston Bruin Lionel Hitchman

Hitch, Hockey's Unsung Hero: The Story of Boston Bruin Lionel Hitchman

by Pam Coburn

Overview

Distinguished sportswriter Elmer Ferguson called him the "greatest defensive" defenseman of his day. The NHL's revered chief referee Cooper Smeaton ranked him ahead of his defense partner, Eddie Shore. Legendary manager of the Boston Bruins, Art Ross, wouldn't sell him "at any price." And yet he goes unrecognized by the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Lionel Hitchman, or "Hitch," played 12 seasons in the NHL. First with the Ottawa Senators, helping them to a Stanley Cup win, and then with the Boston Bruins for ten years. As the Bruins' captain and first "money player," Hitch led them to their first Stanley Cup final and championship and to the NHL's best winning point percentage of all time.

His hockey stats belie his real contribution to the success of the Boston Bruins. Hitch was the last original Bruin and the first to have his sweater retired. After his playing career, he went on to coach in the Boston system for several years before parting ways with the franchise.

Hitch, Hockey's Unsung Hero, is the story of an unheralded "superstar," the times he lived through and the fascinating people who helped shape his character and life choices. It is told through the "scribes" of the day with interjections by some notable people who knew him well. A few family tales are revealed, including one that helps explain Hitch's absence from hockey's highest shrine.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781999029722
Publisher: Pamdre Publishing Inc.
Publication date: 04/02/2019
Pages: 368
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.82(d)

About the Author

Hitch, Hockey's Unsung Hero, is Pam Coburn's first book, a biography about her grandfather, Lionel Hitchman, the first player to have his sweater retired by the Boston Bruins. To chronicle this untold story, she immersed herself in the world of hockey from a bygone era. In her younger days, Pam played some hockey, but as a figure skating coach, she spent more time helping hockey players improve their skating skills. She also played varsity basketball at the University of Ottawa. Transferring to LaSalle College in Philadelphia, Pam continued to coach skating while completing a business degree. After returning to Canada, she took on progressively complex management positions and spent nearly ten years at Skate Canada as Executive Director and CEO. Pam currently owns a firm specializing in digital communications. With her first book finished, Pam hopes to bring other meaningful stories forward. Visit Pam's author website at https: //www.pamcoburn.com

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

NTRODUCTION: THREE TRIES FOR NO. 3

1 TORONTO, BY WAY OF ENGLAND

2 THE WAR YEARS

3 GETTING ON WITH LIFE

4 THE CAPITAL OF HOCKEY

5 TURNING?

6 32 DAYS TO THE STANLEY CUP

7 THE OTTAWA ADONIS

8 IN TRANSITION

9 RAMPING UP

10 STANLEY CUP CHAMPS

11 GREATEST TEAM, GREATEST DEFENSEMAN

12 WANING

13 THE COACHING YEARS

14 LIFE WITHOUT HOCKEY

15 LAST WORD ON HITCH

Appendix

Acknowledgments

Chapter Notes

Bibliography

Index

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