Breakaway: Hockey and the Years Beyond

by Charles Wilkins

Provides vivid, captivating portraits of 8 former hockey stars & their families, & stories of their triumphs & struggles now that they have broken away from life on the ice. Includes Johnny Bower, Yvan Cournoyer, John Ferguson, Randy Gregg, Reggie Leach, Eric Nesterenko, Bobby Smith, & Tiger Williams. Some have happily left the game behind, while others still chase after the transcendental thrill that hockey gave them. Wilkins draws penetrating observations from these men -- & their wives -- on their lives in the NHL & on what it is that continues to drive them. Heroes in their day, they remain larger than life. Photos.

248 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

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Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A follow-up to Wilkins' 1989 book After the Applause, this book continues the theme of interviewing retired hockey players and their wives about how they managed the transition from hockey stardom to retirement and beyond. All very interesting chapters, though the one about Randy Gregg, the only player on the NHL to have a medical degree while playing, was especially fascinating. The players chronicled played in the 60s, 70s and early 80s. Very interesting read.