Total Bruins – A game by game illustrated account of the Boston Bruins 1929-39
Available on eBay
Available on eBay
Overview
The definitive history of the Boston Bruins in the 1930's. Self-published, 8.5"x11" soft cover, 526 pages (4 colour), 1000+ images. Basic format is paragraph of text with an embedded image. Fully referenced, each in a footnote at page bottom. Dozens of new, historically significant stories woven through accounts of each Bruins game and events from Oct 1929 to Apr 1939.
Over 100 high-quality images that have never been published. If you've ever wondered the date and circumstances of pictures you're familiar with, this book details them. One I'm particularly excited about is a photo of the actual moment Eddie Shore and Ace Bailey reconciled on Feb 14/1934. The iconic photo is from nearly a month later. For Maple Leafs fans, there are 20 high-quality photos of them in action against the Bruins that have never been published. This includes 4 from the second longest game in NHL history and Syl Apps in his first fight.
Ten chapters, one for each season. Each season starts with a high-quality team picture. Off-season, pre-season, regular season, playoff details with stories. Then full stats section, game log, records, transactions, trivia and gallery. Colour appendix detailing the Bruins uniforms and, the Art Ross - Conn Smythe feud.
About the Author
After earning his glider and pilot licenses, Jeff graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada and then spent over 30 years working in IT for the Ontario government. Passions for music, football (soccer), military history, mission trips to Africa and science fiction came along but a love of hockey history and the Bruins topped all. Jeff lives in Burlington, Ontario with his wife and son and enjoys visits from his daughter and grandkids.
Preface from the book
So, why doesn’t this book start at the beginning of the Bruins franchise? The goal was a game-by-game account with pictures from the match and details such as the action and why a certain player didn't dress. In the 1920's, newspaper narratives were high-level, action photos were rare and videos of the Bruins don't exist before December 1929. But from this date forward, game coverage, photos and wonderful cartoon drawings increased in volume and quality as the decade proceeded.
Why the 1930’s? The NHL changed more in this decade than in any other, in the rules, game-play and management. Faceoffs were held all over the surface, with backs to the side boards and no faceoff circle. Goalies who held the puck or skaters who fell on it near their net incurred a "penalty faceoff" 10’ in front of the net. The men that played endured physical punishment with a paucity of protection that is hard to imagine today. Fourth lines were unknown and four defensemen (or less) dressed, with some playing nearly the entire game. They were all held in awe as warriors and some had or would fight in the world wars.
From the Eddie Shore-Ace Bailey incident in December 1933 until the end of the decade, helmets were commonly worn by many players. Art Ross innovations included the nets that were used league-wide, his helmet design used by many teams, mesh "gaters" that protected legs from skate cuts, deadlines for submitting starting line-ups, an "open hockey" challenge, rule changes, red line trial, pulling the goalie and many more.
This was the era of the Great Depression, when the NHL clung to life and publicized as much as possible to garner their share of scarce entertainment dollars. Franchises died or moved nearly every year. Despite this, the amount of charity work the Bruins did for the community was phenomenal. The Conn Smythe and Art Ross feud delighted fans and Bruins - Maple Leafs (their greatest rival in the 1930's) games sold out.
Fans were very boisterous and throwing items was so common that before a 1938 playoff game, police frisked patrons and filled 12 barrels with fruits and vegetables. There were no screens around the side boards allowing fans to "interact" with the players. The one penalty box was shared, after players bloodied each other, which always ended well (grin).
But I mainly wrote this book because I'm a life-long Bruins fan, but I won't bore you with that. You probably are too and have your own stories. OK, just one. My first time seeing them play live was at Maple Leaf Gardens on February 7, 1976. Yeah, that game.
Lastly, I wrote about this era because the Bruins organization hasn't recognized six players as team captain. Proof that four of them were (Marty Barry, Nels Stewart, Eddie Shore, Red Beattie) are detailed in this book with copious articles and pictures. I hope this results in a correction to the official records of the organization. Enjoy the era of the "Rossmen" you pecan (fan).
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