Barilko: Without a Trace

by Kevin Shea

Book by Shea, Kevin

Genres: Biography, Hockey, Sports, Nonfiction

268 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

About the author

Windsor-born, music-industry man turned hockey historian, Kevin Shea is the real deal. He has the heart of the game, mind of a librarian and the memory of a goal judge.

From his experience working at the Hockey Hall of Fame to his 100 Grades of Shea series on Substack, he chronicles the sport like a man documenting a living myth.

His books, Barilko: Without a Trace, Lord Stanley: The Man Behind The Cup and The Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club: Official Centennial Publication are titles that belong on every shelf beside a puck and a program stub. He reminds us that hockey isn’t just a pastime — it’s an archive of character and country.

Kevin's 22nd book, out in time for Christmas 2025, Barclay Bear and the Forest Rangers Hockey Club, is his second foray into hockey books targeted, but not limited, to children.

Kevin lives in Ajax Ontario with his partner and his cat, Skye.

Reviews

[Brandi McKandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up and had it next to read when I discovered I was about to take a class taught by the author. I'm not and never have been a Leafs fan but Barilko's disappearance was eerie and haunting to me from the first time I hear Fifty Mission Cap. To delve into his life before the disappearance helped put a personality to the legend himself. Incredible storytelling. (Not saying that for bonus grades, promise). RIP Mr. Barilko.

[Tony Pisano · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Excellent book. Great historical view about Barilko who I only knew a tad about. Very well researched and well told. I used this as more of a chapter to chapter book, then a front to back book. Not a “story” book if that makes sense. But I truly loved it, for a true hockey historian fan.

[Alex Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed depiction of the life, death, and mystery surrounding young Toronto Maple Leaf Bill Barilko -- who many of us learned about through The Tragically Hip's Fifty Mission Cap. Shea looks at it from many angles: biography, hockey, family, history, Northern Ontario, sports collectors, coincidences, photography....something for anyone interested in Canadian history, hockey, or just a good tale.

[Charlie Chevallier · Rating 5 out of 5]

It tells you a lot about history