Liam Maguire knows more about the history of the NHL and Canadian hockey than everyone else … combined!
As I sought someone who both understood and could articulate the Montreal Canadiens-Toronto Maple Leafs rivalry and the importance of the Hockey Hall of Fame, in advance of my time in Toronto as part of the Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project, I turned to my resident Canada expert: Brent Savidant (S:2, E:51). Did he know of anyone who might fit the bill?
I was secretly hoping he’d fire off the long-time host of CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, Ron MacLean‘s, phone number or email address.
He did not:-(
Who he did might have been even better. He was familiar with this fela, Liam Maguire, who has an encyclopedic knowledge of NHL history and, pretty much, anything Canadian hockey. He didn’t have a contact for me but said he’s easily searchable.
And he was!
I traded a couple of emails with Liam and before I knew it he was on the books to record a special bonus episode in conjunction with the Events 27 and 28. Only after we began speaking it was clear this was no bonus episode. In fact, I can’t wait to have Liam back to plumb the depths of his hockey knowledge even further.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy my time with the President of Liam Maguire Hockey Enterprises Inc. and the author of The Real Ogie: The Life and Legend of Goldie Goldthorpe (aka the inspiration for 1977 hockey movie Slap Shot‘s character, Ogie Ogilthorpe).