Dogs on Ice tells tale of Huskie hockey
By Darren Zary of The StarPhoenix
An official book launch for Dogs on Ice: A history of hockey at the University of Saskatchewan will be held Wednesday night at beily’s pub and grill in Saskatoon.
The new book, detailing 97 years of Huskie hockey history, was written and edited by Michael P.J. Kennedy with help from project co-ordinator Bill Seymour and fellow researcher Kerri Archibald.
A rich Huskie hockey history is brought alive through more than 270 pages with 70 photographs, year-byyear rosters, annual award winners, special award winners and yearly statistics, as well as feature chapters on women’s hockey on campus, Saskatoon’s rinks, those who went on to the professional ranks and those who have achieved success in society.
“There’s a lot of history there and it was an enjoyable endeavour,” Kennedy said Monday. “It’s Huskie hockey at all its best. It was fun. I never once had writer’s block.”
Kennedy had hoped to add one last chapter, but the Hockey Dogs came up short in their bid to win the elusive University Cup last March in Edmonton, where they had lost the national championship final in overtime one year earlier.
In future years, the door is open to add new chapters — starting with a possible shot at the University Cup next March in Moncton, N.B.
“I am committed to do that for as long as I’m capable of doing that,” Kennedy, a lecturer for the Department of English at the U of S, said. “I’m going to all the games. I enjoy the games so much. As long as the team is accessible to me, I’ll be pleased to do that.”
The book launching is sponsored by the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and Museum and “Friends of the Huskies.”
The book is on sale for $40 (GST included) with custom dedication and autographing available during a book signing at 8 p.m. All proceeds — 100 per cent of sales — will go to the Huskie hockey program.
Wednesday’s book-launching includes a wine-and-cheese gathering for invited guests at 7 p.m, featuring former and present Huskie hockey players, coaches and officials. At 7:30 p.m., formal introductions of celebrities will be made by the voice of Rutherford Rink, long-time men’s hockey public address announcer Bruce Gordon. Remarks by Kennedy and short stories by Seymour will follow.
The book is available for sale at the Huskie Store in the Midtown Plaza, Centre Shop at Place Riel on campus, U of S Bookstore and McNally Robinson Bookstore.
This weekend, the book will go on sale at 1:30 p.m. prior to the U of S women’s game Saturday afternoon and again at 6:30 p.m. before the men’s hockey game Saturday night.
dzary@sp.canwest.com
