The "Hardy Boys" and Hockey?: Leslie McFarlane - "Here's Hockey", Part 1

Image Source:
http://www.nfb.ca/history/1950-1959/

The Hardy Boys books series is a much loved part of our cultural heritage.  What is the connection to hockey history?  The real author of many of the Hardy Boys books was Leslie McFarlane (pseudonym, Franklin W. Dixon).  He was a Canadian journalist, screen writer, author, and film maker.  He was nominated for an Oscar and wrote for the TV show Bonanza.  While much has been written about his Hardy Boy experience, hockeyhistory.org is most interested in his cultural connection to hockey history.

He wrote about his hockey connections in his 1976 autobiography, Ghost of Hardy Boys p. 114-120. We recommend reading his account of a time in hockey history when stick handling was highly esteemed because the rule didn’t allow forward passing; a goal keeper had to stay on his feet; only 2 substitutions were allowed; the games were played on natural ice; and play stopped by the ringing of a hand bell by the lone referee (Leslie describes how the ref would hit unruly spectators who were leaning over the boards on the head with the hand bell). He was:
-father of hockey broadcast legend and hockey historian, the great Brian McFarlane (See part two in this series).
-a hockey reporter covering the Sudbury Wolves hockey team: 

Fans, however, were not content with just watching the game; they insisted on living them over again in every detail on the sports pages. No mere one-column survey of highlights would do -they demanded, and got, a play-by-play account to the extent of about half a page (p. 115)

 -  a telegraph play-by-play commentator dictating play to a telegraph operator who relayed the account.

 To see Charlie Langlois or Babe Donnelly wind up behind the net and go zigzagging all the way down the ice to draw out the goalie and slam the puck into the net was to see hockey at its thrilling best (p. 114)

-an employee of  the National Film Board of Canada  where he wrote and directed,  Here's Hockey! below:

National Film Board of Canada

References

McFarlane, Leslie (1976) Ghost of the Hardy Boy, Methuen Publication, New York

 Greenwld, Marilyn S. (2004) The Secret of the Hardy Boys: Leslie McFarlane and the Stratemeyer Syndicate, Ohio University Press, Athens Ohio

National Film Board of Canada:

    http://www.nfb.ca/history/1950-1959/

No-Touch Icing and the Legacy of Luděk Čajka: Time for the NHL and AHL to Adopt No-Touch Icing

Photo: Wikkipedia.com

No-Touch Icing was adopted by the International Ice Hockey Federation in 1990 following the death of Luděk Čajka. Čajka (November 3, 1963 - February 14, 1990) was a Czechoslovak defenceman. This is the legacy of Luděk Čajka.  The rule allowing for touch icing has resulted in numerous serious and career ending injuries in professional hockey.  The NHL continues to have the touch-icing rule and has already had one serious injury as a result in 2011/2012. Taylor Fedun of the Edmonton Oilers season is done as a result.  It took the death of Čajka to change the rule to automatic non-touching icing by the IIHF.  What is it going to take in the NHL?

On January 6, 1990, Čajka suffered severe spinal injuries after physical contact on a touch-icing play sent him crashing into the end boards in an icing situation during Zlín's game against VSŽ Košice. As a result, Čajka was paralyzed and in a coma and subsequently died on February 14, 1990.

Photo: Wikkipedia.com

He was an excellent hockey player. In the 1987 NHL entry draft Čajka was drafted 115th overall by the New York Rangers. His career included time with Czech Extraliga, HC Dukla Jihlava and HC Zlin (formerly Gottwaldov).  He was also a bronze medal winner in the 1987 World Ice Hockey Federation representing Czechoslovakia.

Photo: Wikkipedia.com

After 21 years, the legacy of Luděk Čajka needs to extend to North America!

Carey Price Celebrates First Nations Ancestry with New Hockey Mask and Supports Breat Cancer: "Don't Call Me Cheif Series" #6

Picture: Artist Arriga's blog*

Carey Price is celebrating  his First Nation ancestry with the design of his new mask! Carey's mother is from the Ulkatcho First Nation.  He is also supporting Breat Cancer Month through the design ( pink base) and he will wear it during Breast Cancer Month in October and then auction it off .  Bidding will commence on October 6th and continue until the end of the month with all proceeds going to cancer research.  Auction and bids at:   http://www.auction.legendsdepot.com/index.php
Artist David Arriga explains the motivation for the mask on his blog:

With this helmet Carey Price decided to go back to his native roots, where he was raised in Anahim Lake, British Columbia. Carey wanted to celebrate his ancestry which drove my design elements of Anahim Lake, a native elder, and a dream catcher.  David Arriga

*To view David Arriga's website and blog discussing this helmet and design go to:
Arriga's Carey Price Helmut