Book Feature Hockey 365, The Second Period: More Daily Stories from the Ice (by Mike Commito)

[Mike Commito]

Hi everyone,

My name is Mike Commito. I am the author of the Hockey 365 book series, and I'm happy to bring my latest volume, The Second Period: More Daily Stories from the Ice, to "The History of Hockey" here on HF Boards. Looking forward to answering any questions you may have about the book.

The book can be purchased from wherever you like to buy books. It can be found online at Amazon or directly from the publisher, Dundurn Press, as well as in brick and mortar stores such as Chapters or your favourite independent bookseller.

Similar to the first Hockey 365 that was published in 2018, The Second Period features 365 short hockey history stories, one for every day of the year. I say 365 because it has a nice ring to it, but there are actually 366 stories in each book in order to account for leap years.

I always knew there would be a follow up to the first book and some extra time during the pandemic provided a silver lining to get to work on The Second Period. As you all know, there is enough hockey history out there to probably get to a Quadruple Overtime volume in this series. That being said, I didn't want to reuse the same stories twice so I did try to stray from the beaten path a little bit more in this addition to highlight some of the lesser known stories in the game's history.

My father is from the tiny mining town of Levack, Ontario, where Kings legend Dave Taylor is also from, so I'll share one of the stories in the book that features Taylor, a player who I have always been a fan of even though I grew up cheering for the Maple Leafs.

February 5
Dave Taylor Scores 1,000 Points, 1991

The day after Dave Taylor found out the Los Angeles Kings had selected him 210th overall in the 1975 NHL Amateur Draft, he showed up for his next shift at a nickel mine as usual. Taylor, who was from the tiny community of Levack, Ontario, spent his summers working underground. Even while playing hockey for the Golden Knights at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York, Taylor returned home each summer and took a job in the mine to make money to bring back to school. He was part of the blast crew. At the end of each shift, Taylor and his team were the last to leave the mine. They lit their fuses on the explosives they’d prepared and then carefully make their way to the surface to detonate. When Taylor arrived for work after being drafted, the shift boss asked him, “They didn’t give you a wheelbarrow full of money to stay out of the mine?” Taylor replied, “No, I don’t think they do that for 15th-round draft choices. I’ll be here all summer.”

But Taylor defied expectations and proved he wasn’t just any 15th rounder. He took his hard-rock work ethic with him back to Clarkson and continued to improve his game. In his final season with the Golden Knights, Taylor really caught the Kings’ attention, scoring 108 points in 34 games, a school record that still stands. After his record-setting season, Taylor went to his first NHL training camp in 1977. The team liked what it saw, and he made the regular-season roster out of camp. By January 1978, he was flanking superstar Marcel Dionne, and the following season, the pair formed the prolific Triple Crown Line with the addition of Charlie Simmer. The rest is history. Even after the trio’s run of dominance ended, Taylor continued to be an integral part of the Kings. On February 5, 1991, playing in his 930th career game with the Kings, Taylor scored his 1,000th point, becoming the 29th player in league history to reach that milestone. Not bad for a 15th-round draft pick.

That's just one of the stories you'll find in this book. I've been fortunate enough to have received some nice endorsements from folks in the hockey world that I've long admired. Hope you will enjoy it as well.

Looking forward to a game and circling the date on the calendar is great, but I'll take making a date to read Mike Commito and the greatest games circling back any day. ― Ron MacLean, host of Hockey Night in Canada and Rogers Hometown Hockey

If hockey history and great stories are your thing, Mike Commito's second volume of Hockey 365 is most definitely for you. ― Bob McKenzie, TSN Hockey Insider

What caught me was the blend of knowledge and history. Hockey 365, The Second Period is filled with historical details shared in stories that cover every day of the year. Whether you’re a hockey lifer or a fringe fan, this book provides a great account of many of the games defining moments and experiences.
― Darren Dreger, TSN Hockey Insider

This book is a must-read for hockey history fans, with so many facts and figures so well-researched and explained. ― Scotty Bowman, winningest coach in NHL history

Hockey 365, The Second Period is like a daily supplement of hockey vitamins. Mike Commito‘s highly recommended dosage includes a full year’s worth of stories; from the legends Howe, Orr and the Rocket to Gretzky, Lemieux and Crosby. From the Stanley Cup to Olympic glory, stories of the game changers like Willie O’Ree and Kendall Coyne Schofield, and the offbeat from David Ayres to Ariana Grande. Hockey 365, The Second Period rekindles old memories and uncovers forgotten folklore. And you’ll find out how Mike almost lost his job, on the day I called the "Golden Goal." Hockey 365, The Second Period is another great year for hockey! ― Chris Cuthbert, commentator for Sportsnet and Hockey Night in Canada

Hockey 365 is a hockey fan's treat. Mike Commito shares so many good stories that will grow your love for the game. ― David Amber, host, Hockey Night in Canada

As an author of more than 90 hockey books, I know a good literary job on our favourite sport when I see it — and read it. Mike Commito also could be nicknamed "Mike Committed," as his work has proven. His research is both impeccable and impressive. The bottom line; when in need of research for some ice facts, I go to Mike's Hockey 365 books. He scores for me every time. ― Stan Fischler, Emmy Award-winning hockey journalist and publisher and author of the Fischler Report

You needn't be a historian to enjoy Hockey 365, The Second Period. Mike's curiosity, superb research skills, and attention to the finest details highlight some of the great, well-known moments in hockey and some of the fascinating off-beat events, too. His first Hockey 365 was a true delight, as is this welcome addition to it. Here's hoping Mike has a Third Period in mind, as well as Overtime and Shootout volumes, too. ― Dave Stubbs, Columnist, NHL.com

Hockey 365, The Second Period has something for every hockey fan. Whether you've been studying the game since I was in the crease or you're just getting into the sport now, this book is bound to teach you some things and remind you why you love hockey. ― Kelly Hrudey, former NHL goaltender and analyst for Sportsnet and Hockey Night in Canada

Hockey 365 is a fun tour through hockey history. Well-researched, original, and filled with a ton of entertaining anecdotes — this book is a wonderful reminder of why we love the game. ― Emily Kaplan, National NHL reporter, ESPN

This is such a great way to remember some amazing hockey history. Looking at the entry about my trade to the Leafs brought me right back to that exact moment. As a fan, I got excited seeing things from when I was a kid. I was watching when Bobby Orr's number was retired. I even learned a thing or two (Montreal and Detroit played in Paris!). A must-read for anyone who loves hockey. ― Doug Gilmour, former NHL player and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee

Whether you're a hockey diehard or a relatively new fan, it can be hard to grasp the full range of the sport's history. From the amazing to the embarrassing, tear-jerking to hilarious, noble to the bizarre, this game never stops serving up stories. And if you think you know them all, Mike Commito's Hockey 365 series will remind you that there's always another tale to discover. ― Sean McIndoe, The Athletic

For the hockey fan in your life Hockey 365 has everything. From the Golden Goal to Kendall Coyne Schofield's All-Star lap to David Ayres to my brother Craig scoring his 50th goal. It was fun to relive so many hockey moments, a new one each day, some famous and some infamous. A thoroughly entertaining read. ― Christine Simpson, Rinkside and features reporter for Sportsnet and Hockey Night in Canada

Click to read more...

 

[Theokritos]

Thanks for joining us!

I'm happy that this is already our 30th book presentation and it comes almost exactly 2 years after the very first presentation we've had.

 

[Theokritos]

Mike, what is your personal background? I seem to remember reading somewhere that you used to teach history or still do?

 

[Mike Commito]

Mike, what is your personal background? I seem to remember reading somewhere that you used to teach history or still do?

You've got that correct. I was a sessional lecturer at Laurentian University from 2013-18. I taught Canadian history and had hoped to develop a hockey history course but it hasn't come to fruition yet. As for my background, I earned a PhD in History from McMaster University in 2015. My focus was environmental history but while I was completing my dissertation I started writing about hockey as a creative outlet from day-to-day research and writing.

 

[Doctor No]

Great to have you here, Mike - looking forward to this edition!

 

[Theokritos]

I was a sessional lecturer at Laurentian University from 2013-18. I taught Canadian history and had hoped to develop a hockey history course but it hasn't come to fruition yet.

I like that yet in there.

 

[kaiser matias]

I like that yet in there.

If I can brag, I had a course (two courses, actually; a full academic year) during my undergrad called "Hockey and the Canadian Identity". The prof was a big hockey fan, of course, and found a way to talk the history of hockey while tying it into Canadian history. It was really neat, and I think he did a good job of merging the topics (and getting to watch clips from Hockey: A People's History was a nice bonus).

 

[Theokritos]

If I can brag, I had a course (two courses, actually; a full academic year) during my undergrad called "Hockey and the Canadian Identity". The prof was a big hockey fan, of course, and found a way to talk the history of hockey while tying it into Canadian history. It was really neat, and I think he did a good job of merging the topics (and getting to watch clips from Hockey: A People's History was a nice bonus).

That is very nice, but can you imagine a University course that is actually dedicated straight up to the history of hockey? How neat would that be. If I'd ever won the lottery, I'd fund it!

 

[Theokritos]

As for my background, I earned a PhD in History from McMaster University in 2015. My focus was environmental history but while I was completing my dissertation I started writing about hockey as a creative outlet from day-to-day research and writing.

For a historian, a crucial question is always: what sources are available? In your book(s), you cover a great variety of topics, which suggests you had to use a great variety of sources. What kind of sources did you use for your stories? And how much work was it to find and mine them?

 

[kaiser matias]

That is very nice, but can you imagine a University course that is actually dedicated straight up to the history of hockey? How neat would that be. If I'd ever won the lottery, I'd fund it!

That is the dream, isn't it? I think this was the best my prof could do at the time, but it also says something that his courses were maxed out each year; people really liked it.

 

[kaiser matias]

Clipped

I just saw this book in stores the other day, and found it really neat (have to admit I don't remember if I saw your first one though). Also caught the February 29 entry, and found that a neat addition.

My question would be, did you find any dates or time periods that really bunched up with a lot of events, and vice versa (some really empty times)? Or was it not difficult finding something interesting for all 365/366 days?

 

[Mike Commito]

I like that yet in there.

Yeah, still hoping to revisit it at some point.

 

[Mike Commito]

If I can brag, I had a course (two courses, actually; a full academic year) during my undergrad called "Hockey and the Canadian Identity". The prof was a big hockey fan, of course, and found a way to talk the history of hockey while tying it into Canadian history. It was really neat, and I think he did a good job of merging the topics (and getting to watch clips from Hockey: A People's History was a nice bonus).

Sounds like a great course!

 

[Mike Commito]

For a historian, a crucial question is always: what sources are available? In your book(s), you cover a great variety of topics, which suggests you had to use a great variety of sources. What kind of sources did you use for your stories? And how much work was it to find and mine them?

For the book I mostly relied on books and newspaper clippings. I was also able to incorporate some information from interviews I've done over the years for other stories and a few interviews for the book itself. Since the stories are 350 words at the most, it wasn't too challenging to find enough information for each individual story, but it is certainly taxing when you're doing it 366 times while striving for accuracy and putting together a good narrative.

 

[Mike Commito]

I just saw this book in stores the other day, and found it really neat (have to admit I don't remember if I saw your first one though). Also caught the February 29 entry, and found that a neat addition.

My question would be, did you find any dates or time periods that really bunched up with a lot of events, and vice versa (some really empty times)? Or was it not difficult finding something interesting for all 365/366 days?

Definitely gets more challenging in the offseason, particularly during the dog days of summer, but for the most part there is always something to cover during that time. That being said, due to the pandemic, there are now meaningful NHL games played from July to September, which will make for more options in future volumes. I think the most challenging aspect will be maintaining something interesting for February 29th, as there are not a ton of options for that one but I think sometimes you should have to think outside the box and you can always find a way to liven up a signing, trade, or play that might seem innocuous on the surface.

 

[Theokritos]

For the book I mostly relied on books and newspaper clippings. I was also able to incorporate some information from interviews I've done over the years for other stories and a few interviews for the book itself. Since the stories are 350 words at the most, it wasn't too challenging to find enough information for each individual story, but it is certainly taxing when you're doing it 366 times while striving for accuracy and putting together a good narrative.

Makes sense.

How did you get the idea for a book with hockey (hi)stories for each day of the year? Did any book dedicated to another field or sport inspire you?

 

[Mike Commito]

Makes sense.

How did you get the idea for a book with hockey (hi)stories for each day of the year? Did any book dedicated to another field or sport inspire you?

I think it tracks back to social media. Since about 2015, I've been sharing daily moments in hockey history on my Twitter feed. By the winter of 2017, it felt like a winning formula and I started to think about how it might look as a book based on some of the stories I had already written over the years. I also did really enjoy Kevin Gibson's Of Myths and Sticks, which did feature some short tidbits on notable moments in hockey history. I thought that could be a really interesting format if it was expanded upon in order to include more details and information. While I think this format works particularly well for hockey, it could certainly be applied to other sports. My knowledge and interest is limited to hockey, so I don't think you will find a Baseball 365 in my future.

 

[goliver845]

I interviewed Mike about his book at the SIHR website: Commito definitely committed to hockey dates

 

[Theokritos]

@Mike Commito:

What got you into hockey history? Did you start as a hockey fan who also found himself interested in history or as a historian who also found himself interested in hockey?

 

[Mike Commito]

@Mike Commito:

What got you into hockey history? Did you start as a hockey fan who also found himself interested in history or as a historian who also found himself interested in hockey?

Great, question. I think I was always drawn to hockey history as a kid when I collected hockey cards. I loved learning about the players and some of the game's past from the back of the cards, but I definitely think it clicked when I got older and I was working towards becoming a professional historian. Towards the end of my PhD I had the realization that all the skills I was developing as a historian could be utilized for telling hockey stories. The funny thing is that I obviously knew that the field of sport history always existed, but I guess when it came time to pick a specialization I ended up going with environmental history because I thought that was the most viable option for me. Glad I made the connection when I did as researching and writing about hockey has been some of the most fulfilling work I've ever done.

 

[Theokritos]

Towards the end of my PhD I had the realization that all the skills I was developing as a historian could be utilized for telling hockey stories. The funny thing is that I obviously knew that the field of sport history always existed, but I guess when it came time to pick a specialization I ended up going with environmental history because I thought that was the most viable option for me. Glad I made the connection when I did as researching and writing about hockey has been some of the most fulfilling work I've ever done.

That's great to hear.

One of the satisfying things about historical research, at least for me, is when you learn something guinely new that is really interesting and makes you feel like it gives you a much better understand of something. Where there any specific stories you discovered during your research that would fall in this mold? Or individual stories that particularly surprised, amazed, saddened or impressed you? Edit: I mean the research for either of your two books.