By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (Jan. 30) – This edition of my memorabilia photo-blog series is simple and to the point: 72 covers of The Hockey News dating from Oct. 27, 1972 to Apr. 22, 1977. The hockey bible – as… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
OTTAWA (Jan. 29) – Hockey players are among the most fascinating species on Earth. They spend time between October and June each year perpetrating intolerable acts upon one another, to the extent the National Hockey League deploys… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
OTTAWA (Jan. 28) – The perfect summary of Darcy Tucker’s playing career in the National Hockey League occurred during a ten-day span in October 2009 – a transitory blip that connected elation and despair.
Having returned to… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
OTTAWA (Jan. 27) – So, let’s see… winter has officially been here for one month and six days – a period during which the climate in Ontario has resembled mid-spring or early-autumn. That can only mean one… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (Jan. 25) – Each one of us that grows up a sports fan in this city will develop his or her personal connection. You may have a favorite team; logo, or a memorable experience relating to… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER NEW YORK (Oct. 28) – A sage, hardened veteran of the media that covers the National Hockey League warned me, in no uncertain terms, about attempting to write the blog you have just started to read – … Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (Jan. 23) – A substantial part of my collection – perhaps too substantial, given the storage space required – is old newspapers… most of which I’ve kept through the years; some of which have been given… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (Jan. 22) – After consecutive victories over Montreal early in the season, the Maple Leafs lost a game to the Canadiens on Saturday night and hockey observers here are reacting the way sports fans, in general,… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (Jan. 20) – Brian Burke is not easing up on the “rats” in the National Hockey League. When I spoke with the Maple Leafs president and general manager in the second intermission of Thursday night’s Toronto-Minnesota… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (Jan. 17) – Here is a word to the wise, and an encouraging one, for fans of the Maple Leafs: Do not give up on James Reimer.
The upstart netminder that stole the heart of… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (Jan. 15) – It is difficult to decide which was more predictable: the Maple Leafs losing in Buffalo on Friday, or getting swamped by the New York Rangers at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday. Given… Read More
By HOWARD BERGERBUFFALO (Jan. 14) – Friday the 13th and a game at First Niagara Center wasn’t exactly a prime combination for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who wore their new alternate jerseys on the road for the first time … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERBUFFALO (Jan. 13) – If I didn’t like this city and its people so damned much, I might have difficulty crafting this blog. But, I figure the folks down here have developed an innate sense of humor … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERBUFFALO (Jan. 13) – This could be a very long day.Having slept for maybe 90 minutes overnight, as a raging blizzard developed out of a Monsoon rain-storm here in the Queen City, an afternoon nap is … Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (Jan. 12) – A good book almost always begins with a great idea. Sure, the subject matter has to be compelling, but a gripping cover-photo; a catchy title and a splendid scheme are invaluable in the… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (Jan. 10) – Every person involved with the National Hockey League over the past half-a-century almost surely has a story about Ron Caron, the legendary former executive with Montreal and St. Louis – known as… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (Jan. 9) – The mother-lode of football parties will occur tonight – likely all night – in a region of the southeastern United States. New Orleans is a given… revelling in the “Big Easy” all but… Read More
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (Jan. 8th) – Give the Maple Leafs a wayward home game in the middle of a cold January week, and fans will often be treated to an exercise in futility. Provide this year’s team an extended… Read More