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Evolve or Die: Hard-Won Lessons from a Hockey Life
For fans of Michael McKinley’s A People’s History and Bob Cole’s Now I’m Catching On —a book about what’s changed in hockey, what never should, and a celebration of what we love about the game, from the broadcaster, analyst, and longtime executive producer of Hockey Night in Canada , John Shannon.
For decades, Hockey Night in Canada has been the gold standard not just for hockey broadcasts, but for all sports across North America. It shows the stories of the on-ice heroics, the love and support of family, small-town values, and big-city lights. Meet the person who shaped that standard.
John Shannon was the longtime executive producer of Hockey Night in Canada , starting at the bottom and working his way up through the 1980s and 1990s. He has a unique view of the game and how the way we enjoy it has developed. Technology plays a role, but it’s about the storytelling—modern-day gladiators and their trials—and hockey provides endless good stories.
Shannon’s world behind the scenes is every bit as colourful and unexpected as what happens on the ice—and just as full of rich characters. From standing up to the Edmonton Oilers’ mighty Glen Sather to ordering then Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau to keep out of a dressing room, these stories illuminate the big moments and people that have made the game special.
Shannon captures a nostalgia for the great broadcasts of the past—complete with baby blue Hockey Night in Canada blazers—and a pride in how far we’ve come in improving the game and expanding on the stories we tell. He also shares the keys to a long and successful integrity, loyalty, determination, and above all passion. Much has changed in the sport and how we enjoy it, but Shannon’s career shows that some things must always remain.
For decades, Hockey Night in Canada has been the gold standard not just for hockey broadcasts, but for all sports across North America. It shows the stories of the on-ice heroics, the love and support of family, small-town values, and big-city lights. Meet the person who shaped that standard.
John Shannon was the longtime executive producer of Hockey Night in Canada , starting at the bottom and working his way up through the 1980s and 1990s. He has a unique view of the game and how the way we enjoy it has developed. Technology plays a role, but it’s about the storytelling—modern-day gladiators and their trials—and hockey provides endless good stories.
Shannon’s world behind the scenes is every bit as colourful and unexpected as what happens on the ice—and just as full of rich characters. From standing up to the Edmonton Oilers’ mighty Glen Sather to ordering then Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau to keep out of a dressing room, these stories illuminate the big moments and people that have made the game special.
Shannon captures a nostalgia for the great broadcasts of the past—complete with baby blue Hockey Night in Canada blazers—and a pride in how far we’ve come in improving the game and expanding on the stories we tell. He also shares the keys to a long and successful integrity, loyalty, determination, and above all passion. Much has changed in the sport and how we enjoy it, but Shannon’s career shows that some things must always remain.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published October 25, 2022
2 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
John Shannon
80 books17 followersJohn Shannon is a contemporary American author, lately of detective fiction. He began his career with four well-reviewed novels in the 1970s and 1980s, then in 1996 launched the Jack Liffey mystery series. He cites as his literary influences Raymond Chandler, Graham Greene, Robert Stone and Jim Harrison.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 7, 2022
I had heard of John Shannon when he was producing Hockey Night in Canada and felt I got “to know” him during his time on Primetime Sports with Bob McCown. When I saw he had written a book about his time in hockey and the sports business, I knew I wanted to read it.
The stories were a great behind the scenes look at things that happen off camera and behind the camera in the world of broadcasting. As someone who has always been intrigued by the broadcasting business I enjoyed the brief glimpse into that world through the eyes of someone that had seen a lot of historic sports from the venue.
One of the things that hit home with me while reading was to not be afraid of reinvention and finding a new route to where you’re going. Embrace the bumps and turns for what they are and always try to move forward. Always try to learn and take something positive from where you’ve been. I thought this book was very well written with a thread leading from one story to the next.
The stories were a great behind the scenes look at things that happen off camera and behind the camera in the world of broadcasting. As someone who has always been intrigued by the broadcasting business I enjoyed the brief glimpse into that world through the eyes of someone that had seen a lot of historic sports from the venue.
One of the things that hit home with me while reading was to not be afraid of reinvention and finding a new route to where you’re going. Embrace the bumps and turns for what they are and always try to move forward. Always try to learn and take something positive from where you’ve been. I thought this book was very well written with a thread leading from one story to the next.
December 12, 2022
This is the story of John Shannon's career as a hockey broadcaster, primarily in Canada and best-known for his work with Hockey Night In Canada (HNIC).
As successful as Shannon was and still is, he bounced around a lot, so much of the story is following the bouncing ball. Shannon is a passionate, strong-willed guy, which can wear on people. But Shannon's career moves are more a function of the industry and its ever-present state of change. It is hard to follow all the names of people who come and go, and then often come back again. Shannon was very resourceful in figuring out how to adapt with change.
Books like this often can be a recap of all the great things that were done and all the great people who helped. This book also covered failures and was critical of some people. Shannon was especially hard on Bobby Hull, the Chicago Blackhawk Hall of Famer, and Mike Palmateer, former Toronto goaltender. Another relationship that was fascinating was Shannon's with Don Cherry, the iconic former coach and the star of "Coach's Corner" for many years on HNIC. The stories abut these three people were special.
As successful as Shannon was and still is, he bounced around a lot, so much of the story is following the bouncing ball. Shannon is a passionate, strong-willed guy, which can wear on people. But Shannon's career moves are more a function of the industry and its ever-present state of change. It is hard to follow all the names of people who come and go, and then often come back again. Shannon was very resourceful in figuring out how to adapt with change.
Books like this often can be a recap of all the great things that were done and all the great people who helped. This book also covered failures and was critical of some people. Shannon was especially hard on Bobby Hull, the Chicago Blackhawk Hall of Famer, and Mike Palmateer, former Toronto goaltender. Another relationship that was fascinating was Shannon's with Don Cherry, the iconic former coach and the star of "Coach's Corner" for many years on HNIC. The stories abut these three people were special.
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March 29, 2023Shannon, long time hockey producer on TV, writes about his career. Well done. Lots of good stories-the stand off with goalie Mike Palmateer, working for Norm Green of the Minnesota North Stars, and setting up the Satellite Hot Stove league all stand out. Amazed that he was let go from Hockey Night in Canada because of going over time commitment for Oilers-Flames game 7 in 1986. Disappointed to find out playcaller Dan Kelly was a prima donna. I have to admit I'm still a bit flummoxed by what Shannon is talking about when he refers to production 'philosophy'. Gets credit for telling stories in which he is the bad guy or in the wrong, this is never easy to do. Read the book in two days so I guess that means it was a page turner.
January 20, 2024
Read the first couple pages - immediately had to buy it and keep goin’.
As a hockey fan, it wasn’t lost on me how much lore there is behind Hockey Night in Canada. Getting a peek behind the curtain was a really neat way to start my reading kick this year.
It was interesting reading someone be so truthful about their experience producing a show of that magnitude while still being honest about the highs and lows of people, networks, talent, and more.
It was pretty good!
1st book of 2024.
As a hockey fan, it wasn’t lost on me how much lore there is behind Hockey Night in Canada. Getting a peek behind the curtain was a really neat way to start my reading kick this year.
It was interesting reading someone be so truthful about their experience producing a show of that magnitude while still being honest about the highs and lows of people, networks, talent, and more.
It was pretty good!
1st book of 2024.
November 22, 2022
An entertaining memoir by a guy who's seen the best that hockey has to offer and some of the worst that the sports television industry has to offer.
Always enjoyed Shannon as an on-air talent and appreciate what he's brought to how games are presented. If you're a hockey fan or if you're interested in an inside view of what it's like to work in sports television this book is for you.
Always enjoyed Shannon as an on-air talent and appreciate what he's brought to how games are presented. If you're a hockey fan or if you're interested in an inside view of what it's like to work in sports television this book is for you.
January 4, 2023
Quick read. 99% focussed on his career, would’ve been nicer to have some more personal stories but it is still an interesting book. My only other complaint is there is very little about the last 10-15 years of his career, as an on air personality. He talks about how he ended up in the Sportsnet job but it basically ends there.
January 18, 2023
An interesting insight into the world of hockey broadcast production. Lots of great hockey memories!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews