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Beauties: Hockey’s Greatest Untold Stories
Fifty-seven incredible stories from hockey’s biggest names, greatest characters and unsung heroes Essential reading for every fan, Beauties is a collection of the best stories that players tell each other. Grab a seat with TSN’s James Duthie as hockey’s finest relive highs, lows and hilarious moments on and off the ice from superstars, journeymen, coaches, referees, broadcasters, agents, and hockey moms and dads. In Beauties , you’ll find · How Sidney Crosby’s most unusual nickname came to be · How Steve Stamkos’s dad accidentally stole Steve Yzerman’s car · How Paul “Biznasty” Bissonette almost had the Arizona Coyotes kicked out of a Winnipeg hotel on game day · How Wayne Gretzky’s greatest one-liner may have turned around the Stanley Cup Final in 1985 · About the night that Hayley Wickenheiser went blind · Why the St. Louis Blues credit Laila Anderson, a brave young girl, for their Stanley Cup win · What Bobby Orr said the first time he saw Connor McDavid play at a rink in Toronto And more!
320 pages, Paperback
Published May 11, 2021
172 people are currently reading
881 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
November 18, 2021
In BEAUTIES, author and sportscaster James Duthie sits down with (well, in the era of COVID, takes phone calls from) a wide variety of folks asking of them just one thing, “tell me a great hockey story”. A fairly simple request that leads to some truly excellent stories, but to label the whole book as containing hockey’s “greatest untold stories” may be a bit much.
This isn’t a knock at the book, don’t get me wrong. While I didn’t exactly dislike any of the over four dozen tales in there, many were quickly forgotten the second I finished them. That shouldn’t totally dissuade you from picking it up however, as there were some truly memorable ones.
Ken Hitchcock’s story about “fixing” Team Canada’s dressing room at the 2002 Winter Olympics and checking into a motel early in his career where you had to put down a ten dollar deposit for light bulbs.
The story of Laila Anderson, the young St. Louis Blues super fan who battled a rare disease as her team chased the cup in 2019.
The story of Chris Beaudry, the assistant coach of the Humbolt Broncos and his life-long battle with substance abuse that nearly ended after the horrific bus accident in 2018.
And the story of Gord Miller covering the biggest trade in the history of the NHL in 1988 when Wayne Gretzky himself came to Gord’s rescue.
Without a doubt, the best story in the whole book belongs to John Ronan. He led a career that is a real life version of the Paul Newman movie, Slap Shot. Playing seven years in the minors, Ronan has a whole hockey bag full of great stories – one of the best being that after complaining about his old beat-up skates, his flat-broke team decides to trade a player for a pair of new skates for John. If John Ronan’s is the best, Jim McKenzie’s is a close second. His story about training under a terrible coach (with the nickname Cupcake) in his junior years alongside Mike Keane had me laughing out loud. Really great stuff.
While certainly not the best hockey book I’ve read, BEAUTIES is the perfect type of book to read during the holidays when life slows down and you just want something light.
This isn’t a knock at the book, don’t get me wrong. While I didn’t exactly dislike any of the over four dozen tales in there, many were quickly forgotten the second I finished them. That shouldn’t totally dissuade you from picking it up however, as there were some truly memorable ones.
Ken Hitchcock’s story about “fixing” Team Canada’s dressing room at the 2002 Winter Olympics and checking into a motel early in his career where you had to put down a ten dollar deposit for light bulbs.
The story of Laila Anderson, the young St. Louis Blues super fan who battled a rare disease as her team chased the cup in 2019.
The story of Chris Beaudry, the assistant coach of the Humbolt Broncos and his life-long battle with substance abuse that nearly ended after the horrific bus accident in 2018.
And the story of Gord Miller covering the biggest trade in the history of the NHL in 1988 when Wayne Gretzky himself came to Gord’s rescue.
Without a doubt, the best story in the whole book belongs to John Ronan. He led a career that is a real life version of the Paul Newman movie, Slap Shot. Playing seven years in the minors, Ronan has a whole hockey bag full of great stories – one of the best being that after complaining about his old beat-up skates, his flat-broke team decides to trade a player for a pair of new skates for John. If John Ronan’s is the best, Jim McKenzie’s is a close second. His story about training under a terrible coach (with the nickname Cupcake) in his junior years alongside Mike Keane had me laughing out loud. Really great stuff.
While certainly not the best hockey book I’ve read, BEAUTIES is the perfect type of book to read during the holidays when life slows down and you just want something light.
May 14, 2022
Great stories from hockey legends, personalities and people just involved with hockey. Some heartbreaking, some hilarious...all beauties.
Highly recommend to fans of the game.
Highly recommend to fans of the game.
November 11, 2022
Duthie does it again. Great stories from one of hockeys best writers. If you have any interest in hockey at all this is a must read!
March 10, 2023
Just a nice easy read I read this book every couple of years
February 9, 2021
Would give a 4.5 if I could. A great collection of hockey stories from all levels of the game.
December 20, 2020
This is ABSOLUTELY the book I needed to read this year. You know when you’re reading a biography, and there are particular bits that you remember, certain stories that stick with you, that you must discuss with others? Sometimes a book has many of those stories, sometimes you have to search for them. This collection is all of, and only, those bits. 300 pages of the best stories that your favourite characters in the hockey world love to tell. It is storytelling at its absolute finest. Loved it.
May 14, 2021
A perfect collection of short stories from the world of hockey...what's not to love? The author introduces the book as stories one might here at a bar over a drink or two and I gotta say he nailed it, that's exactly how this book feels.
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November 27, 2021Great stories from the world of hockey. Hilarious insights into the world along with tales of heartbreak and perseverance. The stories are short and quick to read.
May 27, 2022
4.5/5, nice quick read with a lot of stories that I've never heard of over the years. A great collection
July 16, 2024
Some laughs and some tears but great short stories of hockey at it's finest.
July 30, 2025
This book is like the MCU, full of good stories, but also stories to fill in.
March 25, 2021
This is a great book . It is guaranteed to make you laugh ,cry & get a feel for what both hockey players & some fans go through in life , Well done!
August 16, 2023
It’s always a hoot going to the bar after the (hockey) game to regale each other in perspectives of current events, laugh in self-deprecation, rag on each other over innocuous shortcomings, and just feel that camaraderie of the game. Same on the bench, same at the face off circle, same in the locker room.
This book perpetuates that feeling for a bit more than 300 pages, each paragraph read with a caress… told by another super fan via stories that are so typical of the game… some historical, some luck, some family, some overcoming of adversity, some tragic… all little snippets of life from your heroes, and strangers, of men, women, dads and moms (of course), kids, coaches, refs, fans, scouts, reporters, cancer survivors, dying teammates, crazy opponents. Just everyone, eh!
Not every story here is a gem, but I found them all so interesting… I think that even a boring hockey story is still amazingly cool to me just because I love the game that much… it’s like a soap opera too, finding out about different players. And as someone who has read well over 50 hockey books, I can honestly say that I hadn’t heard any of these 50 or so. LOTS of cool inside stories. Behind the scenes.
The crazy story of the beer-league accountant getting surprise ice time playing net for the Blackhawks. Little Kendall Coyne blowing away expectations skating against all star speed demons. The Lethbridge Broncos bus crash. BizNasty and Pink Whitney and Darryl (Sid Crosby, eh 😂). The journeyman who played for 8 semi-pro teams (Amazingly resilient and determined… though I did have a buddy who played for 11!). Bob MacKenzie scoring on Tretiak before separating his shoulder. That Syrian kid in Newfoundland. And BTW… Clearly, someone needs to write a book on Brett Hull’s antics!
And Duthrie’s Golden Goal description is spot on, eh… “Crosby touches the puck twice - once for control, once for history. His shot beats Miller five-hole.”
My favorite story though, I’ll repeat her for ya (from the Acknowledgements section)…
“Gordie Howe was attending an event where everyone wore name tags. They simply wrote Mr. hockey on Gordie’s. Well, one of the attendees, who clearly wasn’t a hockey fan, saw Gordie’s name tag.
“Mr. Hockey… well, that’s an interesting name. What’s your first name?”
“Gordie,” Howe answered politely.
“Gordie Hockey! What a neat name!”
The author told that story at a banquet and the crowd laughed, and Gordie smiled and nodded knowingly throughout. When he sat back down beside Gordie, he whispered to him “I’ve always wondered, is that story 100 percent true?”
“Not a word,” Gordie answered with a wry smile. “Never Happened. But I enjoyed it.”
Loved the insider information on any and everything. Hoping there will be a Volume II. Nice going, James Duthie. He shoots, he SCORES!!!… with a Gordie Howe Hat Trick!
This book perpetuates that feeling for a bit more than 300 pages, each paragraph read with a caress… told by another super fan via stories that are so typical of the game… some historical, some luck, some family, some overcoming of adversity, some tragic… all little snippets of life from your heroes, and strangers, of men, women, dads and moms (of course), kids, coaches, refs, fans, scouts, reporters, cancer survivors, dying teammates, crazy opponents. Just everyone, eh!
Not every story here is a gem, but I found them all so interesting… I think that even a boring hockey story is still amazingly cool to me just because I love the game that much… it’s like a soap opera too, finding out about different players. And as someone who has read well over 50 hockey books, I can honestly say that I hadn’t heard any of these 50 or so. LOTS of cool inside stories. Behind the scenes.
The crazy story of the beer-league accountant getting surprise ice time playing net for the Blackhawks. Little Kendall Coyne blowing away expectations skating against all star speed demons. The Lethbridge Broncos bus crash. BizNasty and Pink Whitney and Darryl (Sid Crosby, eh 😂). The journeyman who played for 8 semi-pro teams (Amazingly resilient and determined… though I did have a buddy who played for 11!). Bob MacKenzie scoring on Tretiak before separating his shoulder. That Syrian kid in Newfoundland. And BTW… Clearly, someone needs to write a book on Brett Hull’s antics!
And Duthrie’s Golden Goal description is spot on, eh… “Crosby touches the puck twice - once for control, once for history. His shot beats Miller five-hole.”
My favorite story though, I’ll repeat her for ya (from the Acknowledgements section)…
“Gordie Howe was attending an event where everyone wore name tags. They simply wrote Mr. hockey on Gordie’s. Well, one of the attendees, who clearly wasn’t a hockey fan, saw Gordie’s name tag.
“Mr. Hockey… well, that’s an interesting name. What’s your first name?”
“Gordie,” Howe answered politely.
“Gordie Hockey! What a neat name!”
The author told that story at a banquet and the crowd laughed, and Gordie smiled and nodded knowingly throughout. When he sat back down beside Gordie, he whispered to him “I’ve always wondered, is that story 100 percent true?”
“Not a word,” Gordie answered with a wry smile. “Never Happened. But I enjoyed it.”
Loved the insider information on any and everything. Hoping there will be a Volume II. Nice going, James Duthie. He shoots, he SCORES!!!… with a Gordie Howe Hat Trick!
April 18, 2021
Like many Canadian kids, I played a ton of hockey growing up. The collection of stories in "Beauties" is, in addition to being entertaining, a reminder of times when school and most other aspects of life took a distant back seat to playing hockey... everyone wanted to be a "beauty". Or a "legend". For each story in this book there are probably dozens (hundreds?) of untold hockey stories that, while they may lack the star power of famous hockey players, are just as entertaining or inspiring or moving. I think my 17-year old hockey player self would have appreciated (laughed at) different stories than my 40-something year old self, but after the Leighton Accardo and Jonathan Pitre stories, the rest of the stories in the book were entertaining, but again took a distant back seat. The ability of the game of hockey (or any sport, but hockey first and foremost in many Canadian towns) to help weave the positive social fabric of communities is not to be underestimated. That said, it should be recognized that some of those players whose antics and behaviour was once seen as "living the hockey life", which we all would have loved at 15, 16, 17, are now often seen as clowns whose behaviour is less socially acceptable than it once was. Times change. The sport, however, at its core, does not. These stories were entertaining, but I think the ones that will always stand out for me are those that have to do with the sport at its simplest, grass-roots levels, and have little or nothing to do with the excesses of professional sport (driving away with the general manager's Jaguar instead of the one you were supposed to drive, while mildly amusing, is just not a problem most of us can identify with). I'd recommend this to anyone who loves hockey or just enjoys a good story.
January 6, 2021
This has become my favorite book of hockey anecdotes. James Duthie did a fantastic job of taking all of these stories from around the hockey world and putting them into book form. All the stories are entertaining, and most are pretty funny. I laughed out loud several times while reading this book. My favorite funny story in this is a toss-up between the Stamkos/Yzerman car story and the chapter about Brett Hull and Kelly Chase being roommates while they were playing for the Blues. There were also some stories that were pretty sad, like the chapter on Ray Emery. His chapter was focused on his life and specifically how he went through a hip injury that likely should have ended his career but didn't. They also had a story about Chris Beaudry, who is a former assistant coach for the Humboldt Broncos and some of the events he's been through in his life, including the aftermath of the bus crash. Jonathan Pitre has a chapter in this book as well, and I enjoyed reading about his life and how his life and death had impacted others.
Any and all hockey fans will enjoy and appreciate this book.
Any and all hockey fans will enjoy and appreciate this book.
July 11, 2021
This eclectic selection of stories is entertaining, poignant, funny, and heartbreaking. It’s a lot to ask of one book, but author James Duthie pulls it off. Some of the stories are a nostalgic retelling of great hockey moments. Others are little known behind-the-scene stories.
I appreciate that the stories are told not just from the players’ point of view, but from referees, coaches, family members, fans, and others. It was also cool that a couple of stories came from women’s hockey teams players. Duthie’s voice doesn’t interfere with the storytelling, although he does add funny, short comments here and there.
Each story often reflects a different time period, so the book’s not in chronological order, which isn’t too much of a problem. One chapter was a collection of anecdotes about silly pranks that didn’t match the caliber of other chapters, but some readers’ tastes will differ. It must have been tough to decide which stories to leave out of the book, but I’ve no doubt that hockey fans will enjoy Beauties. It’s a great addition to anyone who loves to read about the game.
I appreciate that the stories are told not just from the players’ point of view, but from referees, coaches, family members, fans, and others. It was also cool that a couple of stories came from women’s hockey teams players. Duthie’s voice doesn’t interfere with the storytelling, although he does add funny, short comments here and there.
Each story often reflects a different time period, so the book’s not in chronological order, which isn’t too much of a problem. One chapter was a collection of anecdotes about silly pranks that didn’t match the caliber of other chapters, but some readers’ tastes will differ. It must have been tough to decide which stories to leave out of the book, but I’ve no doubt that hockey fans will enjoy Beauties. It’s a great addition to anyone who loves to read about the game.
February 20, 2021
If you live, eat and breathe hockey, this book is for you. If you are an Olympics-only hockey viewer, this book is for you. If you despise hockey, this book is for you.
I would suggest this book to anyone, because this isn’t a book about hockey, (well, technically it is, but bear with me) it’s a collection of stories about people who love something with every part of themselves.
It’s also wildly entertaining, because it doesn’t just tell you the stories that we all know from Hockey Night in Canada, but has unbelievable moments from the minors and from the business side of the hockey world. James Duthie knows how to make even the most inconsequential moments into fantastic stories. If you read this you’ll be laughing one moment and misty-eyed the next.
At the very least, read Roberto Luongo’s foreword, it’s worth the any amount of money you pay for the book.
I would suggest this book to anyone, because this isn’t a book about hockey, (well, technically it is, but bear with me) it’s a collection of stories about people who love something with every part of themselves.
It’s also wildly entertaining, because it doesn’t just tell you the stories that we all know from Hockey Night in Canada, but has unbelievable moments from the minors and from the business side of the hockey world. James Duthie knows how to make even the most inconsequential moments into fantastic stories. If you read this you’ll be laughing one moment and misty-eyed the next.
At the very least, read Roberto Luongo’s foreword, it’s worth the any amount of money you pay for the book.
May 17, 2021
In the author's note, James Duthie says he wants people to feel like you're sitting down with a good bud, having a beer, and trading stories when you read this book.
That is exactly what he accomplishes here. I live in a house with a husband who does not watch hockey and a kid who just started loving the game, so I loved that this just felt like a bunch of friends sitting down and trading hockey stories.
I laughed a lot. I cried some too. Some great stories about Garth Butcher, Darcy Tucker, Ray Emery, Kendall Coyne, Kevin Dineen and on and on. The story that made me laugh the longest? Got to be Jamie McLennan's story about the puffin that kept challenging him for territory.
Duthie's writing is clear, straightforward and accessible. He had my son wanting to pick up a book and read, and if that isn't a wonderful thing, I don't know what is.
That is exactly what he accomplishes here. I live in a house with a husband who does not watch hockey and a kid who just started loving the game, so I loved that this just felt like a bunch of friends sitting down and trading hockey stories.
I laughed a lot. I cried some too. Some great stories about Garth Butcher, Darcy Tucker, Ray Emery, Kendall Coyne, Kevin Dineen and on and on. The story that made me laugh the longest? Got to be Jamie McLennan's story about the puffin that kept challenging him for territory.
Duthie's writing is clear, straightforward and accessible. He had my son wanting to pick up a book and read, and if that isn't a wonderful thing, I don't know what is.
January 18, 2022
As someone who listens to a dumb amount of Sports related tv/podcasts, one of the best parts is hearing stories from players/coaches/broadcasters etc. With this simply being a collection of hockey stories, I thought it was a fun read. My favourite stories were those from not the biggest most well known hockey stars. Jonathan Pitre, Chris Beaudry and Cammi Granato had some of my favourite stories, although hearing about the golden goal from Luongo was also kinda neat. My only con: Duthie referring to Auston Matthews as "Papi".
My favourite quote came from Beaudry's story (he was the assistant coach for the Humboldt Broncos, but was not on the bus when the accident occurred) and he said this regarding what the late Broncos coach would have encouraged: "I coach boys to be men of empathy and integrity who will lead, be responsible, and change the world for good"
My favourite quote came from Beaudry's story (he was the assistant coach for the Humboldt Broncos, but was not on the bus when the accident occurred) and he said this regarding what the late Broncos coach would have encouraged: "I coach boys to be men of empathy and integrity who will lead, be responsible, and change the world for good"
December 15, 2020
When I played serious hockey a million years ago, my favourite time was when we would be travelling and the guys who played Junior and Pro hockey would tell stories of all the crazy things they were involved in or witnessed. This book takes me back to that time. Right from the get go, I was laughing out loud at all the stories from the famous players to the not-so-famous. You will love this book, I know I did. Roberto Luongo wrote the forward and I must say, it makes buying the book worth it just by itself. It is laugh out loud funny and there are also a couple of stories that will tug at your heartstrings. A definite "must read" for any hockey fan and maybe for some non-fans. Highly recommend.
April 14, 2021
If you watch TSN and you like hockey, you know who James Duthie is. Likeable guy who has written this volume of stories with the same delivery you are accustomed to in the way he hosts the hockey games. Good mix of his recognizable deadpan humour and his ability to let the story be the focus without adding too much of his personal views. Duthie has also picked a good mix of stories that will appeal to a wide range of fans including stories from women's professional hockey to stories about the fans themselves. Hockey fans and more significantly hockey fans who are familiar with the hockey stars most of the stories are about will undoubtedly enjoy this book the most, but the stories are appealing and amusing enough that even non fans will find something they will like.
June 2, 2021
This book made for great relaxed reading, and Duthie does a great job of making the reader feel as if they are hearing these stories from the players themselves. There are plenty of fascinating stories in here that give great insight into the inner workings of the game, but there are also some stories that feel like they were just padding the book's length. While I was never bored while reading this book, as any stories that weren't particularly interesting were over fairly quickly, the experience was somewhat of a rollercoaster with the fluctuating quality of the stories. Despite the book's flaws, this is worth a read for any hockey fan, as the gems clearly are worth the time it takes to get to them.
April 6, 2021
I started to listen to his podcast, which is basically the audio version of some of these stories, but I wanted to get ahead of that, and just read all these stories.
They are good stories, nothing amazing, nothing scandalous.
Some old time players I've never head of, and some minor league journeymen.
Those stories are as I say, ok, but then there are a few that cover off some of my
favorite hockey moments, Canada's Olympic Gold, The Butterfly Boy(from ottawa)
and a few others.
Some stories make you laugh, others make you cry.
It's a good range.
I would totally read more if he wrote another book.
They are good stories, nothing amazing, nothing scandalous.
Some old time players I've never head of, and some minor league journeymen.
Those stories are as I say, ok, but then there are a few that cover off some of my
favorite hockey moments, Canada's Olympic Gold, The Butterfly Boy(from ottawa)
and a few others.
Some stories make you laugh, others make you cry.
It's a good range.
I would totally read more if he wrote another book.
July 15, 2021
A mostly entertaining and sometimes amusing collection of short stories featuring NHL hockey players. Simple language and easy to read, the enjoyment is spoiled because of the excessive foul language the author has chosen to quote verbatim. A more responsible approach to supposed quotes would not have reduced the impression of the stories but it would greatly have enhanced the impression of the author. The participants themselves, generally with minimum education, can at least be understood as speaking with their normal vocabulary.
January 5, 2022
Finished #Beauties a couple weeks ago. Some great hockey stories and some cool behind the scenes info that will make feel everything that the game offers. Excitement, happiness, sadness, perseverance and hope...all the things that this great game can provide.
@thestrombone1 sets the table perfectly at the start and then you just enjoy the ride. If you’re a fan of the game you will definitely enjoy this book by @tsnduthie
#Beauties
#HockeyStories
#4of12of2021
#OsatoReads
What’s next? Stay tuned fellow readers.
@thestrombone1 sets the table perfectly at the start and then you just enjoy the ride. If you’re a fan of the game you will definitely enjoy this book by @tsnduthie
#Beauties
#HockeyStories
#4of12of2021
#OsatoReads
What’s next? Stay tuned fellow readers.
May 8, 2023
I was looking for a hockey-themed read to get myself in the mood before the World Championships 2023. Oh boy, I was not disappointed!
Raw, funny, heartwarming, hilarious, silly, disastrous, heartbreaking, and entertaining - all kinds of stories that cannot leave one indifferent. Some stories were about people I know and have followed their sports career, some I heard about for the first time. Regardless, I enjoyed each and every story. They were all so different, but all of them made me love and appreciate hockey even more. This book is a wonderful reminder that hockey is not just a game.
Raw, funny, heartwarming, hilarious, silly, disastrous, heartbreaking, and entertaining - all kinds of stories that cannot leave one indifferent. Some stories were about people I know and have followed their sports career, some I heard about for the first time. Regardless, I enjoyed each and every story. They were all so different, but all of them made me love and appreciate hockey even more. This book is a wonderful reminder that hockey is not just a game.
December 12, 2020
Duthie is a good writer, witty and clever at times and this book offers some very good stories from the benches, locker rooms, buses and hotels but “greatest”? Maybe I wasn’t in the mood for the never ending or disconnected stories or just kept thinking where is this going? I blame the editor and publishers for not challenging Duthie to do more than just publish what felt like all of his articles and blogs.
March 2, 2021
As a hockey fan, who has watched James Duthie, all throughout his childhood. These short stories were amazing to read, with laughs and tears. Favourite stories were about Crosby and his roommate and the story on the butterfly child. Duthie is one of the better writers in hockey compared to many other hockey personalities who have wrote their own books. Would 100 percent read another one of his books and will read another one of his books.
August 18, 2025
Definitely with the read if you're a hockey person
Always love hearing stories I've never heard before. I had already heard several of them, but that's not Duthrie's fault. The Humboldt and Jonny's stories brought tears. Just reinforces what I've already known about hockey. It is a community like no other in sport. And James right about the title....these guys and gals in this book are "Beauties!"
Always love hearing stories I've never heard before. I had already heard several of them, but that's not Duthrie's fault. The Humboldt and Jonny's stories brought tears. Just reinforces what I've already known about hockey. It is a community like no other in sport. And James right about the title....these guys and gals in this book are "Beauties!"
March 26, 2021
If you're like me and enjoy hearing stories about people and hockey, but can't get through an entire autobiography about the same person, this is the book for you.
Some stories will make you laugh and some will make cry. Very well-written in an approachable manner; it feels more like sitting down for lunch with an old friend than reading.
Some stories will make you laugh and some will make cry. Very well-written in an approachable manner; it feels more like sitting down for lunch with an old friend than reading.
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