Most Popular Books by Mike Leonetti

The incredible story of the life and phenomenal career of one of the greatest players ever to wear a Maple Leafs uniform, told through stories and never-before-seen photographs. Darryl Sittler may well be best remembered for two of the most remarkable performances in the history of the National Hockey League. On February 7, 1976, he scored six goals and added four assists for an NHL record total of ten points in a game. That spring, he joined Maurice Richard in hockey history by recording five goals in one playoff game. He also scored one of the most famous goals in hockey history, the overtime goal against Czechoslovakia to win the 1976 Canada Cup. Now, #27 looks back at his incredible career and greatest moments on and off the ice. He writes about growing up in St. Jacobs, Ontario, his days in junior hockey with the London Knights, and his rookie year in 1970-71. Also included are his personal reflections on some of his greatest teammates (Lanny McDonald, Borje Salming, Ian Turnbull, and Mike Palmateer, to name a few) and his encounters with his greatest rivals (Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Bobby Hull, Brian Trottier, Bobby Clarke, Guy Lafleur, Ken Dryden, and Larry Robinson). He recounts his childhood hockey heroes (waiting in the cold outside an arena in Kitchener for Bobby Hull's autograph), his years playing for Philadelphia and Detroit, his induction into the Hall of Fame, and deep devotion to his family. Full of great anecdotes from his personal and professional life, this is an inspiring, revealing book by a revered leader and legend in hockey history.

Presents profiles of more than seventy of pro football's current and future stars.

Maple Leafs Top 100 is the definitive book for ardent Maple Leafs fans and is sure to stir passionate debate about its list of the 100 top players from 1927 to 2007. Mike Leonetti, author of Maple Leafs Legends, offers a fresh angle on the much-loved Maple Leafs, making this book a must-have for every fan. The team has not won the Stanley Cup in 40 years: win, lose or draw, diehard fans debate the merits of their favourite team rosters. Leonetti details the team's rich history, featuring profiles on 100 of the top players, as chosen by a specially selected panel of experts. Also included are special essays by John Iaboni, 30-year veteran of the Maple Leafs organization and editor of the Leafs' official program, Leafs Game Day. With full-colour photographs, anecdotes, statistics and trivia spanning eight decades, and in-depth profiles of 100 of the greatest players, this book is an essential part of every hockey fan's collection.

A young hockey fan learns that you don't have to be a star player to be involved in the game you love. Available in paperback for the first time! Charlie is a fan of the Detroit Red Wings, and his hero is "Mr. Hockey" himself, the great Gordie Howe. Although he plays in his neighbourhood hockey league, Charlie is concerned that he doesn't play as well as his teammates. Inspired by a book written by Howe, and a chance meeting with broadcaster Foster Hewitt (famous for exclaiming "He Shoots! He Scores!"), Charlie considers other ways to be involved in hockey. He continues to play and follow Gordie Howe, but also finds a new passion in play-by-play announcing -- and another hero in broadcaster Foster Hewitt.

Filled with splendid photos by Harold Barkley, this book contains profiles of 74 great players, action photos, statistics on players and teams. It is treat for any fan.

A young hockey player learns the value of playing one's best -- no matter what the circumstances -- from real-life hockey hero Mario Lemieux! Tyler is already a big Mario Lemieux fan, but he still loves looking at his dad's memento -- Mario's rookie card -- and hearing about how Mario started out with the worst team in the NHL. Tyler is also on the worst team in his league, and losing so often gets very frustrating. He is inspired by his hero's work on the ice, especially as he watches Mario through the 1990-91 season, giving a magnificent performance during the playoffs, and, of course, scoring an unbelievable goal against the Minnesota North Stars in the finals. As Mario and the Pittsburgh Penguins become the Stanley Cup winners, Tyler learns that things can change, and a team can become stronger if you give your best -- the way Mario did for his team.

This nostalgic tale of a young boy's love for the Toronto Maple Leafs is now available from Scholastic! Journey back to 1976 and meet Michael, who wants to be just like his hero Darryl Sittler, captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. From his living room perch in front of the television, Michael watches Hockey Night in Canada and dreams of playing for the Leafs. He sets out with his father on a search for a sweater that he can proudly wear on the ice while playing with his friends. He tries every store only to find out they are sold out. He tries one more, at Maple Leaf Gardens, and although they, too, have sold out of the Sittler sweater, Michael's father is able to get tickets to what will be an historic game for the Leafs' captain! As Michael roots Sittler on, he learns that there is much more to the love of hockey than just having the sweater of your favourite player.

In this enduring father-son classic, now available from Scholastic, 10-year-old Paul has just joined the hockey team and loves to practice every day with his dad. When Dad gets a promotion and can no longer play with him, Paul has to make do with watching the exciting Canada vs. Soviet Union series with him at night. Paralleling the game-by-game, play-by-play, goal-by-goal excitement, Paul and his father rally through the series, until finally the tie-breaking final game arrives. It's a day of delight, revealing the unbelievable and the unexpected -- a story that will set readers on the edge of their seats.

Alors qu'il réalise que le hockey prend de plus en plus de place dans sa vie et qu'il n'y trouve plus vraiment de plaisir, Xavier fait voyage avec son père vers Vancouver pour assister à un match désicif des Jeux olympiques d'hiver qui fait s'opposer les meilleurs joueurs canadiens à ceux des États-Unis. Cette rencontre et surtout la présence de Sidney Crosby redonnent la motivation et le courage qui manquait au jeune joueur pour pratiquer son sport préféré.

Billy dreams of playing quarterback for the Colts one day, like Johnny Unitas, and although his coach insists he play receiver until he is bigger, Billy in inspired to try harder after meeting his hero and seeing the Colts win the 1958 National Football League championship. Includes biographical information about Unitas.

A young hockey player learns about persistence and charity with the help of his hockey idol. Riley is a Calgary Flames fan who dreams of playing organized hockey -- but it just isn't something his family can afford. Riley is applying for financial help when he meets Flames captain Jarome Iginla! After learning that Iginla grew up working hard for what he has, and seeing that even with his fame and talent this hockey superstar is a kind and generous person, Riley vows to grow up to be just like him. With financial aid, Riley is able to make his hockey dreams come true. He knows that it will take a lot of hard work both on and off the ice, but he's determined to play like Iginla, and more importantly, to be able to give back to his community as Iginla does. Young hockey fans will cherish Iginla Sparks the Flames as a relatable tale of hard work, passion for the game, and following in the footsteps of your role model.

Join Ryan as he follows his hockey hero, Wayne Gretzky, down the path to his first Stanley Cup victory. Ryan loves to play hockey, but he often gets pushed around on the ice because he's small for his age. Ryan has always followed the Edmonton Oilers, and his hero is (of course!) Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky is small too, but he knows how to skate and he knows how to score. Gretzky's great play is helping to get the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals. Inspired by Gretzky's example, Ryan learns that hard work and determination can help you overcome almost any obtacle.

This first book in a series about fictional encounters between children and their sports heroes features home-run legend Hank Aaron. In this gorgeously illustrated picture book, Mark, a young boy who idolizes Aaron, meets his hero and learns that there's more to being a great baseball player than hitting the ball out of the park.

Hiver 1944. André en a assez d'être toujours comparé à son frère aîné qui excelle au hockey. Alors que son père, qui travaille à l'usine avec Maurice Richard (ce dernier y gagne sa vie et joue parallèlement au hockey avec les Canadiens), lui annonce qu'ils auront des billets pour un match des séries éliminatoires, André est fou de joie. Dans les estrades, il est à côté d'un certain Henri contre qui il a déjà joué lors d'un tournoi amateur. Ils sympathisent. André se rappelle alors qu'Henri aussi avait été sévèrement jugé par les spectateurs lors de cette partie. Henri (qui n'est nul autre que le frère cadet de Maurice Richard) lui fait réaliser qu'il ne faut pas prendre ombrage du succès de ses aînés. Le sien ayant toujours été un support et un modèle pour lui.

Remember when it was just Montreal, Toronto, New York, Detroit, Boston and Chicago? Veteran hockey writer Mike Leonetti certainly does, and he’s got a brand new trivia book to prove it! The Original Six Hockey Trivia Book challenges fans’ knowledge of the NHL’s most storied and glorious franchises. With more than 800 questions and answers—categorized by team and covering memorable games, records and awards, trades and outstanding players—the book also features more than 150 photos. And it’s not just for those old enough to remember when the NHL only included six teams: The Original Six Hockey Trivia Book skates right into the 2006–2007 season with fascinating lore on the six teams that will stump even the most avid of fans. Here’s what you can expect: Detroit Red Wings: Gordie Howe broke Maurice Richard’s all-time goal-scoring record when he scored his 545th career goal on November 10, 1963, versus which opponent and what netminder? Montreal Canadiens: Named head coach of the Canadiens for the 2006–2007 season, this former Hab was a three-time Stanley Cup winner (twice with Montreal, once with Dallas). Name him. Toronto Maple Leafs: When Darryl Sittler had his 10-point night against Boston on February 7, 1976, one other Leaf player scored two goals and added two assists in the Leafs 11–4 victory. Who was this other high-scoring Leaf?

Grade level: 3, 4,5 e, p, i.

A young boy rediscovers the joy of hockey through Sidney Crosby's famous gold medal goal. Tyler's life has always been about hockey: hockey after school, hockey on weekends, hockey on holidays... hockey, hockey, hockey. So his parents are surprised and disappointed when Tyler abandons the game he loved so much. But in 2010 the Winter Olympics come to Vancouver. The country is desperate to win a gold medal in hockey. "Sid the Kid" Crosby is leading the men's team, and all of Canada is counting on him to help win the first gold in men's hockey on home soil. Tyler's dad gets tickets to the gold-medal game, and Tyler can barely contain himself while he watches the nail-biting final between Canada and the United States. Of course, Crosby scores the "golden goal" in one of the most exciting gold-medal games ever! Seeing the joy Sidney Crosby has for the game, Tyler decides to return to the ice and just take time to enjoy the sport he loves.

"Hockey historians will appreciate the precision action shots taken of the first cohort of NHL stars . . . a record of how hockey has evolved." — Winnipeg Free Press The hockey stars of the 1950s and '60s—Rocket Richard, Gordie Howe, Dave Keon, Bobby Hull, Jean Beliveau, Terry Sawchuk, Tim Horton, and others—were some of the most passionate players in National Hockey League history. These skillful and often colorful athletes played exhilarating hockey and were national heroes in a time when only six teams and fewer than 150 players battled for the Stanley Cup. Hockey's Original 6 celebrates the most dynamic players and exciting moments of the era in more than 120 photographs from the legendary Harold Barkley Archives, including a number of never—or rarely seen—images. From 1942 until the early '70s, Barkley was the Toronto Star's leading sports photographer. He pioneered the use of electronic flash to capture stop-action hockey, and his dramatic work—both black and white and vibrant color—define the pre-expansion period. Two informative essays by Mike Leonetti—hockey historian, archivist, and prolific sportswriter—set Barkley and the photos in context, and short image captions illuminate the players and their feats. The late hockey legend Jean Béliveau provides a personal and insightful foreword. "Will take your breath away . . . a collection that captures players' grimaces, suture tracks, missing teeth and Brylcreem-lacquered hair; their primitive equipment, joy and considerable pain, even the depth of snow beneath their tubular-steel blades, the individual planks of lumber that were the arena boards, and the octagonal orange crests on the Tyer Rubber Co. pucks whose impact has smudged the fire-engine-red goalposts." — The Montreal Gazette

From George Armstrong to Peter Zezel, celebrate some of the Maple Leafs' greatest legends of the past 100 years! Maple Leaf history comes alive in this wonderful A-Z album of some of the Leafs' most memorable players. From Hap Day -- who was with the team even before they were called the Leafs -- to fan favourite Mats Sundin, Leafs fans young and old will love reading about their heroes, their team spirit and love of the game. Share in a hockey legacy more than 100 years in the making. Each featured player's profile includes stats, career highlights and strikingly realistic illustrations. Although this is primarily a children's book, its illustrated picture portraits and sophisticated design will resonate with hockey fans of all ages.