Best of the Original Six »

Brian McFarlane is known as Canada's foremost hockey historian and most prolific hockey writer. He is a media member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and honourary President of SIHR (Society for International Hockey Research). For 25 years he was a commentator on Hockey Night in Canada. He has also work on network hockey telecasts for CBS, NBC and ESPN.

Hockey fans that witnessed the Original Six NHL teams - Toronto, Montreal, Detroit, Chicago, Boston and New York, insist that those teams were the greatest clubs ever.

Those thrilled by the Original Six era agree that many of today's players are bigger, faster, stronger and better equipped and coached. And yet, when we reflect on that memorable era, we insist that none of today's stars is tougher or more talented than big Gordie Howe, more dynamic than Rocket Richard, stronger than rugged Tim Horton, or more spectacular than goalies Plante and Sawchuk.

There may be better line combinations today, but none that with the allure of yesteryear. The Original Six boasted Montreal's Punch Line (Richard, Lach and Blake), Detroit's Production Line (Lindsay, Howe and Abel), Chicago's Million Dollar Line (Hull, Hay and Balfour), Toronto's Kid Line (Jackson, Conacher and Primeau) and Boston's Uke Line (Horvath, Stasiuk and Bucyk). Teams faced each other 14 times a season and as a result, the rivalries were intense. There was no fraternization, no players' associations, no friendly golf tournaments, or hockey schools. It was all about playing for your team and winning the game.

And what memorable games they were. Rocket's blazing eyes, the Golden Jet in flight, Andy Bathgate's movie star looks, Dave Keon's slick moves, Gordie Howe's flashing elbows, Ted Lindsay's raised stick and Red Kelly's blazing red hair. Glen Hall or Johnny Bower returning to the ice just minutes after taking a puck to the face - stitched up and ready for more. Jacques Plantes introduction of the facemask, which has now become standard battle gear. There were hip checks and bench clearing brawls. There were classic playoff games and feuds that lasted season after season. It was tough hockey, but real hockey. We were all caught up in it and waited all week for Saturday night - Hockey Night. First on the radio, then on the black and white small screen TV. We'd thrill to the voices of hockey - Foster Hewitt, Danny Gallivan and the Hot Stove League.

The old days were about pride, loyalty and passion of the game. Memories of the good old days of Original Six hockey will never fade. Veteran hockey historian Brian McFarlane provides a wealth of information about this infamous and legendary era. He brings the players, the excitement and the thrill of the game to the pages of this must have book for anyone who has ever laced up the skates, stepped onto a fresh sheet of ice and for that brief moment felt like the Big M, or the Rocket.