The Final Call; Hockey Stories from a Legend in Stripes

by Kerry Fraser

• ISBN13: 9781551683539
• ISBN10: 1551683539
• Format: Trade Book
• Copyright: 2010-11-01
• Publisher: Key Porter Books, Fenn Publishing

Summary

After thirty years as an official in the National Hockey League, legendary referee Kerry Fraser has decided to hang up his skates & whistle and enjoy the game from the other side of the boards. Never shy about offering his opinion, nor afraid to step in and separate an on-ice fight, the 5ft 7inch Fraser is arguably the most respected referee in the history of the game.Fraser began officiating in 1972 after recognizing that his size would limit his chances as a player. He was introduced to refereeing by former Detroit Red Wing coach and family friend Ted Garvin, who told him that the game needs more officials with actual playing experience. Fraser responded immediately with a welcomed understanding of the game, and over the course of the 2,165 NHL contests he oversaw, has shown himself to be an unbiased,  courageous, and sometimes controversial judge.In The Final Call , Fraser uses the games he officiated in his farewell season to relive candid memories from various hockey cities and teams'¦ such as the night he was pulled from the ice by the St. Louis police after a threat was made that if he skated out for the third period he would be shot. This wouldnrs"t be the first or last death threat hers"d receive in his career. Fraser offers a colourful, behind-the-scenes portrait of Canadars"s national game, recounting stories of pulling apart enraged 250lb men in on-ice battles, confrontations with some of the gamers"s greatest legends and exposes whiners, divers, and trash-talkers. Fraser also fully discusses, once and for all, "The Missed Call" on Wayne Gretzky in rs"93 that still has Toronto fans talking.Fraser provides a highly entertaining, honest, and sometimes hard-hitting look at the game and its many faces and changes over his record-breaking career. Go to ice level and experience first-hand the interactions of your favourite players and coaches from the man you love to hate!

Author Biography

Kerry Fraser (born in Sarnia, Ontario) is the most senior referee in the National Hockey League, having joined the National Hockey League Officials Association on September 1, 1973, and officiating his first game in the 1980–81 season. He will retire from officiating after the 2009–10 season. Fraser lives with his wife Kathy and their family in New Jersey.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. 9
Holding On: The Final Game	p. 11
In the Beginning	p. 21
Getting In Shape	p. 37
The Missed Call: Toronto Maple Leafs	p. 57
Sidney and Mario: Pittsburgh Penguins	p. 67
Monday-Night Miracle: St. Louis Blues	p. 77
NHL=No Home Life	p. 89
The Fury of Fleury: Calgary Flames	p. 97
When the Going Gets Ruff: Vancouver Canucks	p. 107
Edmonton and The Great One: Edmonton Oilers	p. 119
Studies in Discipline: The Islander Dynasty	p. 137
Meadowlands Memories: New Jersey Devils	p. 143
Colorado: Rockies to Avalanche	p. 157
Centre of the Hockey Universe: Toronto Maple Leafs	p. 169
Ghosts of the Forum: Montreal Canadiens	p. 177
Hockeytown, USA: Detroit Red Wings	p. 197
Here Come the Hawks!: Chicago Blackhawks	p. 213
On Broadway: New York Rangers	p. 229
A Short Stop in Never-Never Land: Boston Winter Classic	p. 243
Letting Go	p. 261
Acknowledgements	p. 283
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.