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The Riverton Rifle: My Story Straight Shooting on Hockey and on Life
“It all comes down to making the right life choices,” says the NHL’s legendary Reggie Leach, and this intimate biography lays bare the decisions that led him to become one of the best snipers in hockey history. Nicknamed the Riverton Rifle for his thrilling speed and deadly shooting skills, Leach overcame a childhood marked by poverty and racism to rise through the NHL, playing for the Stanley Cup-winning 1975 Philadelphia Flyers. Through Leach’s own recollections, The Riverton Rifle traces his trajectory from humble beginnings to NHL stardom, and follows the dramatic fall caused by his drinking problem and his subsequent rebirth as a successful businessman, family man, and pillar of the Aboriginal community.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 10, 2021
Flew through my second title of the year (matching my output from all of 2020....nice). This was a pretty easy, straight ahead bio that sat nicely in the pocket for the bulk of the book. Nothing “incredible” or overly revealing...rather a simple, first-person account of a hockey player who carved out a solid career and had a story worth telling. I just wish some of the stories within dug a little deeper.
Reggie Leach played in the NHL in an era just before I really got into hockey. I knew the name Broad Street Bullies, but never witnessed their dominance as it was happening. So it was nice to read into that time period. But this book spans so much more than Leach’s time as a Philadelphia Flyer.
The book dives nicely into Reggie’s life growing up in Canada, finding his opportunities to pursue hockey (amidst a challenging upbringing) and continues on through an incredible 10-year career. His story after retiring from the game is also covered, but doesn’t go into as great of detail as I would have hoped. Some of the adversity he has to overcome would have connected more with the reader if there was a little more shared.
I had a challenging time hearing Reggie’s voice in the words on the page as I began reading, but after a couple chapters things flew pretty smooth. Not the most polished bio, there are times when the topic veers quickly or is resolved in a paragraph or two. Again, staying in the moment to share a little more of Reggie in those moments would have helped me connect more with him.
Overall, a good read. I enjoyed learning more about Reggie, his upbringing and life after the game as well as a pretty incredible career in hockey. If you like you hockey books, this would be one to keep an eye out for.
Reggie Leach played in the NHL in an era just before I really got into hockey. I knew the name Broad Street Bullies, but never witnessed their dominance as it was happening. So it was nice to read into that time period. But this book spans so much more than Leach’s time as a Philadelphia Flyer.
The book dives nicely into Reggie’s life growing up in Canada, finding his opportunities to pursue hockey (amidst a challenging upbringing) and continues on through an incredible 10-year career. His story after retiring from the game is also covered, but doesn’t go into as great of detail as I would have hoped. Some of the adversity he has to overcome would have connected more with the reader if there was a little more shared.
I had a challenging time hearing Reggie’s voice in the words on the page as I began reading, but after a couple chapters things flew pretty smooth. Not the most polished bio, there are times when the topic veers quickly or is resolved in a paragraph or two. Again, staying in the moment to share a little more of Reggie in those moments would have helped me connect more with him.
Overall, a good read. I enjoyed learning more about Reggie, his upbringing and life after the game as well as a pretty incredible career in hockey. If you like you hockey books, this would be one to keep an eye out for.
March 1, 2020
Originally being from an area near Riverton, Reggie Leach is well known. I enjoyed this book due to my personal connection to the area and to people who know him or played hockey with him in Riverton.
March 12, 2017
In an era when professional sports were more a game than big business, Reggie Leach overcame poverty to reach the pinnacle of hockey by winning the Stanley Cup with the infamous Broad Street Bullies. His historic goal scoring capabilities earned him the nickname of the Riverton Rifle, yet his career unraveled all too early.
Leach comes across as a likable individual... one who vanquished his own demons and now gives back to others and his Native American heritage. The problem with this quick-reading autobiography is that it excludes Leach's downward spiral and the perseverance it took to heal himself. A more in-depth look into how alcohol brought down this athlete's career and how he battled back off the ice would have been greatly appreciated.
Leach comes across as a likable individual... one who vanquished his own demons and now gives back to others and his Native American heritage. The problem with this quick-reading autobiography is that it excludes Leach's downward spiral and the perseverance it took to heal himself. A more in-depth look into how alcohol brought down this athlete's career and how he battled back off the ice would have been greatly appreciated.
August 19, 2019
I have been a Flyers fan since I was 5 or 6 and have been a fan of Reggie Leach since the first time I saw him play for Philadelphia. Reggie's book is a thoroughly enjoyable read. He is a great role model and has led a very interesting life even thought at times it was difficult. I recommend this book to hockey fans, especially Flyers fans.
September 25, 2024
Brought back a lot of memories. He talks about the Fog & Bat incidents in Buffalo, NY during the playoffs. I was one of many in the Aud during those games. It was the only time I saw the Stanley Cup up close when the Flyers skated it around the rink. So glad that he ended up living a good life & kept some of his teammates as friends.
August 3, 2022
It was a short, easy read but I throughly enjoyed this book. Reggie Leach talks about his humble beginnings, his NHL career with the Broad Street Bullies, his battle with alcoholism and his helping and volunteer work for the First Nation and his Ojibwe tribe in Canada. 👍🏻
August 15, 2019
Average NHL hockey biography. He definitely played in a different era, with a career shortened by alcohol abuse. Awesome to see him giving back to his community after his career ended.
March 25, 2021
Great book. Easy to read. Honest. Interesting.
September 27, 2024
His story is his and his alone. God bless him.
March 7, 2017
A really cool book by a man who loved the game.
February 13, 2017
Why can't u rate things half stars on this shit?
December 11, 2016
This book was advertised in a catalogue featuring books about Indigenous peoples in Canada. The fact that it really isn't is why I give the low(er) rating. If you like hockey and the Philadelphia Flyers of the 1970's and Reggie Leach, then this autobiography is for you.
Leach tells of his childhood in Manitoba and how he came to be a hockey star. The bulk of the book gives names and teams and statistics from his hockey playing years. The final chapters tell what happened post NHL. While the early chapters touch very briefly on his heritage, it isn't until the final chapters when as a retired man he moves to Manitoulan Island, that he really examines those parts of his life.
Leach tells of his childhood in Manitoba and how he came to be a hockey star. The bulk of the book gives names and teams and statistics from his hockey playing years. The final chapters tell what happened post NHL. While the early chapters touch very briefly on his heritage, it isn't until the final chapters when as a retired man he moves to Manitoulan Island, that he really examines those parts of his life.
May 28, 2016
This was a great read for all Flyers fans and Reggie Leach fans!! His openness and ability to discuss his success and failures is admirable!! Everyone lives Reggie and as a Flyers fan I am indebted to him for helping to bring us our last Cup!! Thank you Reggie and keep doing wonderful things!!
January 27, 2016
Could not stop once I started. Great look at the Broad Street Bullies from one of its most interesting personalities. Highly recommended.
February 11, 2025
Review for The Riverton Rifle can be found on Hockey Blog In Canada.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews