Description:
Bruce Boudreau is living a hockey Cinderella story. After more than three decades in the minor leagues as a player and coach, he was promoted to head coach of the Washington Capitals in 2007. Boudreau revived the Caps, written off as dead, to a division championship and received the Jack Adams award as the National Hockey League’s Coach of the Year in June 2008.
His story is an entertaining odyssey of triumph, disappointment, and perseverance, stretching from Toronto to Washington. As a pro rookie, Boudreau had a cameo appearance in Slap Shot with star Paul Newman. Today Boudreau coaches superstar Alexander Ovechkin and a young Washington club poised to become an elite NHL team vying for the Stanley Cup.
Boudreau stole the limelight at the 2008 NHL Awards Show with his self-deprecating and folksy manner, which has made him a popular personality at every stop he’s made. Hockey fans know there’s only one Boudreau.
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Reviews/Endorsements:
"Hockey fans will enjoy [Boudreau's] upbeat story and his friendly tone."
-- ForeWord, February 4, 2010
"Boudreau is a fabulous story teller. . . . More than 60 hours of interviews . . . by veteran Patriot-News hockey writer Tim Leone produced 200 pages of vintage 'Gabby'. . . . Boudreau is honest, colorful, opinionated, grounded, funny, biased, and blunt. And that makes for a more non-traditional read because there are no layers to peel away."
-- The Patriot News, January 17, 2010
“As Don Cherry, who wrote a foreword for this book, said: ‘I know you’ll enjoy it.’”
-- www.hockeyjournal.com, December 5, 2009
“A great tale of perseverance and positive thinking. After reading it, you can’t help but root for the ‘Columbo’ of the NHL.”
-- www.faceoff.com, December 10, 2009
"Amusing, engaging, and a great insight..."
-- http://districtpuckhouse.blogspot.org
“Full of entertaining and engaging stories about a minor leaguer who finally makes it to the NHL.”
-- www.hockeybookreviews.com, November 2009
“One read of the book is straight inspirational. Another is pure fun.”
-- The Post-Star, Glenn Falls, NY, December 2009
“An old-time straight-shooting coach who has won everywhere, Boudreau is one of sport’s most honest, blunt, and entertaining coaches. Yet, despite his accomplishments, never too big for his britches. Except for the night you’ll read about in Bridgeport.”
-- Mike “Doc” Emrick, NHL play-by-play commentator, NBC, New Jersey Devils TV, and Versus
“When Bruce Boudreau was a scoring star for the junior Toronto Marlboros, I was in the stands at Maple Leaf Gardens cheering him on and now that he’s an NHL coach he’s still one of my favorite hockey people. Gabby is one of the great people in the game and his story is one of a love affair with the game of hockey; all levels of hockey, not just the NHL. Gabby’s story is a must-read, because it’s every bit as funny and quirky and nice as the man himself.”
-- Bob McKenzie, TSN Hockey Insider
“Bruce Boudreau is hockey’s Everyman, a droll and loquacious fellow who has been everywhere there is ice and who knows everyone who ever has strapped on a pair of skates. Now the Washington Capitals coach takes you on the rollicking, inspiring ride with him. Make sure you demand frequent Greyhound points.”
-- Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated
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