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Quinn: The Life of a Hockey Legend
A tribute to the larger than life story of a hockey icon and hero.
The hockey world mourned when Pat Quinn died in November 2014.
Tough guys sobbed. Networks carried montages of Quinn's rugged hits, his steely-eyed glare, and his famous victories. Quinn made a few enemies over the years, but there was no one who didn't respect the tough working-class kid who had fought his way to the very top of the hockey world.
He had butted heads with superstars, with management, and with the league itself. And he had also succeeded at every level, finishing his journeyman's career as the captain of an NHL team, then quickly emerged as one of the best coaches in the league. He gathered executive titles like hockey cards, and done things his own way, picking up a law degree along the way.
He was brash, dour, and abrasive--and people loved him for his alloy of pugnacity and flair, his three-piece suits and cigars, his Churchillian heft and his scowl.
In the end, the player who would never even have dreamed of being inducted into the Hall of Fame was the chair of the Hall's selection committee. That is Quinn's story: an underdog who succeeded so completely that his legacy has become the standard by which others are judged.
Told by bestselling author Dan Robson, and supported by the Quinn family and network of friends, Quinn is the definitive account of one of the game's biggest personalities and most storied lives.
From the Hardcover edition.
The hockey world mourned when Pat Quinn died in November 2014.
Tough guys sobbed. Networks carried montages of Quinn's rugged hits, his steely-eyed glare, and his famous victories. Quinn made a few enemies over the years, but there was no one who didn't respect the tough working-class kid who had fought his way to the very top of the hockey world.
He had butted heads with superstars, with management, and with the league itself. And he had also succeeded at every level, finishing his journeyman's career as the captain of an NHL team, then quickly emerged as one of the best coaches in the league. He gathered executive titles like hockey cards, and done things his own way, picking up a law degree along the way.
He was brash, dour, and abrasive--and people loved him for his alloy of pugnacity and flair, his three-piece suits and cigars, his Churchillian heft and his scowl.
In the end, the player who would never even have dreamed of being inducted into the Hall of Fame was the chair of the Hall's selection committee. That is Quinn's story: an underdog who succeeded so completely that his legacy has become the standard by which others are judged.
Told by bestselling author Dan Robson, and supported by the Quinn family and network of friends, Quinn is the definitive account of one of the game's biggest personalities and most storied lives.
From the Hardcover edition.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published October 20, 2015
9 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 13, 2019
A little Burke heavy for my liking, and no mention of the '94 riots.
July 25, 2022
Loved it. Such great writing and storytelling; a joy to read. A fitting tribute to a hockey icon.
December 5, 2016
The late Pat Quinn was a multi-faceted individual. As a manager and coach, Quinn had an effect on many teams ranging from Junior (18-20) through professional. His successes can be found on his plaque in the Hockey Hall of Fame, while his failures are best noted by the absence of his name on the nearby Stanley Cup in the same building. As a player, Quinn made up for a lack of natural talent through hard work – as a result, he had a much longer career on the ice than did many players with talent but no work ethic. As a man – a friend, a family member, or casual acquiescence / stranger – Quinn made his greatest impact.
Dan Robson's “Quinn” effectively tells the life story of the manager, the coach, the player, and the man. I believe it should be required reading for all hockey fans.
RATING: 5 stars.
P.S. I especially enjoyed the short anecdote of a young Pat Quinn being sent into a Boston bar to buy beer for the team after having leveled a bone-crunching, teeth-rattling check on the Bruin's superstar Bobby Orr – and being recognized by the patrons.
Dan Robson's “Quinn” effectively tells the life story of the manager, the coach, the player, and the man. I believe it should be required reading for all hockey fans.
RATING: 5 stars.
P.S. I especially enjoyed the short anecdote of a young Pat Quinn being sent into a Boston bar to buy beer for the team after having leveled a bone-crunching, teeth-rattling check on the Bruin's superstar Bobby Orr – and being recognized by the patrons.
February 20, 2016
The book was well written and too the point sharing Pats life in as much detail as possible. As a fellow east ender and living around the corner from Pats sister , I get the sense of early Mahoney life .
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October 27, 2024LONGLISTED FOR THE 2017 RBC TAYLOR PRIZE
A tribute to the larger than life story of a hockey icon and hero.
The hockey world mourned when Pat Quinn died in November 2014.
Tough guys sobbed. Networks carried montages of Quinn's rugged hits, his steely-eyed glare, and his famous victories. Quinn made a few enemies over the years, but there was no one who didn't respect the tough working-class kid who had fought his way to the very top of the hockey world.
He had butted heads with superstars, with management, and with the league itself. And he had also succeeded at every level, finishing his journeyman's career as the captain of an NHL team, then quickly emerged as one of the best coaches in the league. He gathered executive titles like hockey cards, and done things his own way, picking up a law degree along the way.
He was brash, dour, and abrasive--and people loved him for his alloy of pugnacity and flair, his three-piece suits and cigars, his Churchillian heft and his scowl.
In the end, the player who would never even have dreamed of being inducted into the Hall of Fame was the chair of the Hall's selection committee. That is Quinn's story: an underdog who succeeded so completely that his legacy has become the standard by which others are judged.
Told by bestselling author Dan Robson, and supported by the Quinn family and network of friends, Quinn is the definitive account of one of the game's biggest personalities and most storied lives.
A tribute to the larger than life story of a hockey icon and hero.
The hockey world mourned when Pat Quinn died in November 2014.
Tough guys sobbed. Networks carried montages of Quinn's rugged hits, his steely-eyed glare, and his famous victories. Quinn made a few enemies over the years, but there was no one who didn't respect the tough working-class kid who had fought his way to the very top of the hockey world.
He had butted heads with superstars, with management, and with the league itself. And he had also succeeded at every level, finishing his journeyman's career as the captain of an NHL team, then quickly emerged as one of the best coaches in the league. He gathered executive titles like hockey cards, and done things his own way, picking up a law degree along the way.
He was brash, dour, and abrasive--and people loved him for his alloy of pugnacity and flair, his three-piece suits and cigars, his Churchillian heft and his scowl.
In the end, the player who would never even have dreamed of being inducted into the Hall of Fame was the chair of the Hall's selection committee. That is Quinn's story: an underdog who succeeded so completely that his legacy has become the standard by which others are judged.
Told by bestselling author Dan Robson, and supported by the Quinn family and network of friends, Quinn is the definitive account of one of the game's biggest personalities and most storied lives.
May 2, 2022
Quinn was surprisingly captivating. Pat Quinn was not a hockey personality that I had a terribly huge interest in, but I found myself more and more interested in his story as it unfolded. Going all the way back to his roots in Hamilton, Dan Robson does a wonderful job painting the picture of Quinn’s life and accomplishments.
December 3, 2022
Absolutely fantastic account of a true hockey legend. This book takes you right inside the home of this legendary hockey personality and shares with you many things you would have otherwise never known. Hard to put down once you start
September 11, 2024
Great biography. Loved all the stories. I read Brian Burke's before this and it was interesting to see the stories intertwined. Quinn was my Leafs head coach in those core years. He seems to have been quite the guy.
September 15, 2017
Very thorough yet entertaining.
December 20, 2017
Excellent read. Thoroughly enjoyed the hockey stories and learning about Quinn 'the person'.
December 30, 2018
Great book. It's an in depth look at a legend's life.
January 17, 2021
Interesting read about the inside of the NHL and Pat Quinn. Good read if you're into NHL and Canadian Jr and Olympic hockey.
September 11, 2022
4.5 Stars rounded to 5. A great read about a true hockey legend.
March 24, 2024
It’s fun to read about someone who worked really hard to be really good at something and also cares a lot about people. Good book!!
November 7, 2024
Two time Jack Adam’s winner Pat Quinn achieved many accomplishments throughout his long career; however, he never won his elusive Stanley Cup. A hockey biography worth reading.
June 24, 2025
This biography made me sob at the end. It was written with so much heart and soul; I felt incredibly connected to a man I've never met.
February 13, 2017
This book was exceptional and a must read for any hockey fan. I actually jumped on the Canucks bandwagon during the storied Quinn years and that magical run in 93-94. (Lord, who will ever forget 'the save'.) All this and more is detailed in this book, a look into the mythology of Pat Quinn. This man had an amazing career and reinvented himself more times than Madonna. He is a hero to all Canadian hockey fans and getting an insight into this man was such a privilege.
June 7, 2016
Pat Quinn is one of the most respected and well-known names in the world of hockey, in and out of the NHL. As a Vancouver Canucks fan, I remember him well, and so it was with great interest and hope that I delved into this book. The book did not disappoint.
The amount of detail that author Dan Robson inserted while still creating an interesting story is terrific. The story vividly describes Quinn’s childhood in Hamilton and behind-the-scenes wrangling as a player, then later a coach and general manager. The revelation about how close Wayne Gretzky came to signing with the Canucks took my breath away. It’s just one of many stories that comes to light through Robson’s meticulous research.
I would have loved to have seen more photos in the book, and perhaps more dialogue or direct quotes from Quinn’s wife Sandy who was there from the start of his career. On the other hand, Pat Quinn’s life was filled with so many big events and poignant moments that the book is already a good size. This is a must-have edition to anyone who collects books on hockey, or for fans who simply love the sport.
The amount of detail that author Dan Robson inserted while still creating an interesting story is terrific. The story vividly describes Quinn’s childhood in Hamilton and behind-the-scenes wrangling as a player, then later a coach and general manager. The revelation about how close Wayne Gretzky came to signing with the Canucks took my breath away. It’s just one of many stories that comes to light through Robson’s meticulous research.
I would have loved to have seen more photos in the book, and perhaps more dialogue or direct quotes from Quinn’s wife Sandy who was there from the start of his career. On the other hand, Pat Quinn’s life was filled with so many big events and poignant moments that the book is already a good size. This is a must-have edition to anyone who collects books on hockey, or for fans who simply love the sport.
January 13, 2016
An awesome read about one of Canada's most iconic hockey figures as a player, coach, GM and hockey executive. The entire book was so difficult to put down. I received this book as a Christmas gift and I read it every spare moment I had. A thoroughly researched book on his life, roots, family and how it all tied into his long hockey career. If you love hockey and want to read about Canadian hockey icons please read this book.
April 21, 2020
Amazing hockey book! The chapters Coach Quinn, The Streak, and Finding an Edge are some of the best in hockey books. Quinn was a player, coach, GM, lawyer, intellectual and so much more. This is an amazing hockey book.
May 5, 2016
Loved it. I'm a big fan of his. Still miss him.
January 29, 2021
Very informative read. Learned a lot of interesting things about Mr. Quinn and how he inspired so many people and players. If you are Canucks Fan this book is for you.
December 17, 2024
Really enjoyed this look at a hard working, down to earth, honest hockey player and coach.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews