Hockey's Hot Stove: The Untold Stories of the Original Insiders

by Al Strachan

Stories from behind the scenes of one of hockey’s longest running and most popular broadcasts, Hockey Night in Canada’s Satellite Hot Stove, from an insider who’s seen it all.

For more than twenty years, hockey fans tuned in during intermission on Saturday nights to watch one of the most popular segments in the game’s long broadcasting history. They’d hear news from around the league, the latest rumours and gossip, and—of course—some of the most controversial opinions of the day.

No, we’re not talking about Coach’s Corner.

The Satellite Hot Stove was a revolutionary show for talking about the game we love. Here, during the second intermission of the first game of every Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, pundits, and insiders would convene in studios across North America—in arenas and other locales—to discuss the biggest topics. Hot Stove was the best place to get news, opinions, and a good laugh.

And Al Strachan was in the middle of it all. A bestselling author and award-winning sports journalist, he has been writing and talking about hockey for more than forty years. As a regular TV pundit on Hot Stove, he witnessed the most exciting and talked-about episodes in the modern game. And more than once, his unfiltered, say-it-as-it-is style added controversy of its own, too. In this new book, he relives the best stories of his long career, from working with some of the biggest personalities, on and off the ice, to the hijinks that went on behind the cameras.

From embarrassing himself in front of Scotty Bowman, to cooking up a plan with Wayne Gretzky to save hockey, and frank conversations with Ken Dryden and hockey’s elite, Hockey’s Hot Stove delivers all new hockey stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

Genres: Sports, Hockey

240 pages, Hardcover

Published December 1, 2020

Reviews

[Jeff Bjorgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For many years one of my favourite moments of the week was tuning into the second intermission of Hockey Night in Canada for a segment called "Satellite Hot Stove". In the segment, a panel made up of reporters, former players, and broadcasters had a free-for-all conversation about all things hockey. It was there that I could hear the latest scoop of player trades or contracts signed, or tensions going on between teams. Times have changed and social media has made hockey gossip so much more instantaneous than waiting a whole week to hear some insider news, but those were memorable days.

Al Strachan was one of the personalities that made the segment work. He was known as the guy with quick wit, ugly ties, and provocative opinions and insights, all done with an underlying smirk and a suspicious moustache. "Hockey's Hot Stove" is a compilation of his stories from the years that CBC broadcasted the segments.

Strachan continues to be a top notch writer. The book is a showcase of his strong sense of humour, blunt assessments of people and events (with a scrupulous desire to remain factual and honest), and self-deprecating insights of his own idiosyncrasies. This was a fun book to read.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only for those who used to watch the 2nd period "Satellite Hot Stove" intermission on Hockey Night In Canada. Strachan takes a while to get going; there is so much insider chatter that will drive away the casual reader. The book gets lively when Strachan starts ripping Ron "Judas" MacLean, not just for his abandonment of Don Cherry, but also his colossal ego, draining the Hot Stove of energy with his peculiar ramblings. Brian Burke is also the recipient of Strachan's acidic scorn.

Strachan infuriated many over the years, in print and on TV (me included) but he was never boring. He has some interesting takes on the modern athlete, who don't resemble the more interesting, more outspoken players from the past.

[Dave Cottenie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Satellite Hot Stove was one of the best reasons to watch Hockey Night in Canada. The story by Al Strachan had some interesting moments and was pretty light. The timeline was a little fuzzy throughout the book and it was less linear than I would have preferred. However, it was a light fun read with some numerous stories.

[Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was never a big fan of snarly Al Strachan, but always looked forward to the Satellite Hot Stove in the 2nd intermission. This book was a great behind the scenes look, and a nice walk down memory lane as well. Well worth the time.

[Greer Andjanetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting 'inside' stories in this book, probably only interesting to fans of Toronto hockey. A dry writing style with only occasional flashes of humour, the book is well-enough written but slightly hard to read.

[Chris Schaffer · Rating 2 out of 5]

To appreciate this book you need to be one or more of the following:
A. Canadian
B. A massive hockey fun
C A Canadian massive hockey fan

I’m a major hockey fan and all and the book had some good moments but..wasn’t the greatest

[Malcolm Van Arkadie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's O.K I was hoping for more insider hockey gossip a lot of interesting information about what it was like to appear on the show.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

Things I learned: He hates Ron McLean and Brian Burke. He drinks alot. He probably has a ton of juicy gossip but won't give it up here. Expected so much better.

[Howie · Rating 2 out of 5]

slow moving, uninteresting stories. would not recommend.

[Jeremy Porter · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked him on the Hotstove intermission, and in many writings in the media - so, liking hockey and the stories of trades and team building. I had high hopes for this book. I was let down. It was a meandering mess; skip it folks.