Book released in the leadup to the 90th anniversary of the Boston Bruins first Stanley Cup win 3/21/2019
Photo features Hitch, the "Titan of Boston Defence" Boston Herald, March 21, 1929, page 35, the night of the second game against the Montreal Canadiens in the semi-finals of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
On March 16, 1929, the Boston Bruins finished their regular 44-game season with 57 points, a new record in the NHL's American division.
Boston's Eddie Shore topped the league's defensemen in points, while his partner, Lionel Hitchman (Hitch) accumulated just one point all season. Yet their goalie, Tiny Thompson, who earned the most wins in the league that season said: "without Hitch, it would have been a different story."1
As the playoffs began, Hitch "one of the greatest 'money' players in the history of hockey, was a giant in the attack and on defence, with the rest of Bruin cast coming well up to standard."2 The Boston Bruins swept the playoffs in five straight games, winning the Stanley Cup on March 29, 1929.
As we approach the 90th anniversary of Boston's first NHL championship, I am pleased to announce the release of Hitch, Hockey's Unsung Hero: The Story of Boston Bruin Lionel Hitchman.
After finishing the book, my editor, Patricia MacDonald said: "I can't believe he's not in the Hockey Hall of Fame." A sentiment shared by hockey historians, Brian McFarlane and Eric Zweig, who provided testimonials for this book, and showcased on the home page of this website.
I am grateful for all the generous help I received by so many people and organizations, including Adam Findlay who reviewed the book for clarity of hockey terminology. He commented that it has: "a flow and rhythm that I did not expect, and that is very charming. I think this makes it appealing to a much wider audience, and an important contribution to the sports literature."
Those interested in the history of hockey during this pivotal time in the development of the NHL and its intersection with the greater social fabric of the early twentieth century will enjoy this book.
Hitch, Hockey's Unsung Hero, is currently available through amazon in paperback and ebook at https://amazon.com/author/pamcoburn.
Notes:
- Brian McFarlane, The Bruins, Original Six, (Toronto: Stoddard, 1999), page 21.
- "Hitchman Passes to Weiland For Goal Which Gives Bruin 1-0 Victory Over Les Canadiens," Boston Herald, March 20, 1929, page 35.