The Big M: The Frank Mahovlich Story

by Ted Mahovlich

"Rocket, this is my son, Ted." "Ted, I'd like you to meet Bobby Hull." "Guy, have you met my son, Ted?" Despite his own legendary paternity, Ted Mahovlich couldn't believe he was in the Calgary Saddledome, trading locker room banter with hockey greats Maurice (Rocket) Richard, Bobby Hull and Guy Lafleur. As part of the research for "The Big M", Ted and his dad, Frank, had embarked on the road trip of a lifetime with an NHL alumni team, the Greatest Hockey Legends, playing exhibition games for charity across North America. Ted's subsequent interviews with many of hockey's greatest stars (who also happened to be his father's former teammates), combined with his intimate knowledge of his father's life and stellar career, have resulted in a compelling biography of Frank Mahovlich, one of the greatest left wingers of all time. "The Big M" tells the story of the quiet and self-effacing hockey legend whose mighty strides and explosive shot contributed to six Stanley Cup teams, four with the Toronto Maple Leafs and two with the Montreal Canadians. He also played in the 1972 Canada-Russia series with his brother, Peter. With affection and candor, Ted Mahovlich describes Frank's formative years, a typical small-town northern Ontario kid, who played away the frozen nights ricocheting shots off his sister Anne, her makeshift Eaton's catalogue goalie pads strapped to her legs. Ted recounts Frank's early career in the old farm team system, boarding at St. Michael's College in Toronto. He gives insight into how the league changed as the NHL moved from the original six teams to expansion, and reveals the million dollar Mahovlich trade that never was, from the Leafs to the Chicago Black Hawks. Delving into the huge differences between the Canadiens and the Leafs, Frank explains why Montreal has a glorious hockey tradition - and why Toronto doesn't. "The Big M" also reveals the very private Frank Mahovlich, a quiet, intelligent player who suffered public humiliation at the hands of Leafs' coach and general manager Punch Imlach.

A sports biography packed with wonderful anecdotes, terrific photos from Frank's own collection, and new insights into hockey's golden age, "The Big M" is a great read, a warm portrait of one of hockey's most admired players - and now one of our newest appointees to the Senate - perfect for both young and old hockey fans.

243 pages, Hardcover

First published August 28, 2000

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found a good book with a lot of interesting stories about an amazing hockey player. It was written by his son had lots of little stories about Frank for years and it was a little bit factual overall enjoyed the book.