Quinn: The Life of a Hockey Legend

by Dan Robson

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 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.

Genres: Hockey, Sports, Biography, Nonfiction

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 20, 2015

Reviews

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little Burke heavy for my liking, and no mention of the '94 riots.

[Phil Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Such great writing and storytelling; a joy to read. A fitting tribute to a hockey icon.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Andy Catier · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 .

[Alex]

LONGLISTED 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.

[Dave Cottenie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Brent Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Stanley Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough yet entertaining.

[Frank Corriveau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Thoroughly enjoyed the hockey stories and learning about Quinn 'the person'.

[Dave Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. It's an in depth look at a legend's life.

[Bob Hiebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read about the inside of the NHL and Pat Quinn. Good read if you're into NHL and Canadian Jr and Olympic hockey.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars rounded to 5. A great read about a true hockey legend.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!!

[Bradley Proctor · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Stefania Casoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Fijindu · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Terry Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. I'm a big fan of his. Still miss him.

[Terry Hinkley · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Daryl Brooker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this look at a hard working, down to earth, honest hockey player and coach.