Hi everyone! It’s been a whirlwind day for yours truly, but not in a bad way. I had my first book signing today, and I was incredibly touched to be greeted by a few friends and family, not to mention some other customers I had never met before and who purchased a copy of Mucking in the Corners. It was a special “Hockey Day” at Indigo Books, so I wore my Seals jersey (circa 1974-76) to the event, which got me a few compliments. The best part, however, may have been when I saw this on my way out of the store…

Seeing one of my books on the shelf of a book store is the fulfillment of a personal 40-year-old dream. I’ve already been published twice, but this time it feels just a bit sweeter because it feels like the big leagues, like if I had been plying my trade in the AHL for an entire career and then finally getting called up to the NHL. I might not score 50 goals or 100 points, but if I get a cup of coffee in the bigs, that’s more than okay with me.

On our trip down memory lane this week, we’re going back to that infamous night when former Seal draft pick Chris Oddleifson scored four times against the Seals in a 8-1 shellacking courtesy of the Boston Bruins. It would prove to be the high point of his brief tenure in Boston as he scored just one more goal there before being shipped to Vancouver in a huge multi-player deal. It wasn’t a banner night for the Golden Ones, but you can read about the game right here.

In closing this week, if you happen to be in the Ottawa area in the next few weeks, I will be signing books at Indigo Books in Kanata on November 15 from 12-3, and I will have a table at the Capital Trade Show at the Nepean Sportsplex on December 6 from 10-3, so come on down!

And if you’re a podcast aficionado, well, I’ve got good news for you! My interview for Hockey Time Machine is now streaming on YouTube and you can take a look by clicking on this link. Tracy Wilson, Glenn Dreyfuss and I discuss all sorts of stories from Mucking in the Corners including Ross Brooks’ amazing winning streak, the Cleveland Crusaders’ incredible comeback win, and the two-week Ottawa Civics. I’m sure you find the episode a hoot and a holler. Enjoy!

Until next time, stay gold!