YORKTON - It was just about exactly a year ago I interviewed author Mike Commito about his book Leafs 365: Daily Stories from the Ice Dundurn Press.
That book was almost the case of a ‘fanboy’ engaging his passion as Commito admitted at the time he has long been a diehard Leafs fan.
So imagine the challenge Commito took on in writing his recently release book Habs 365: Daily Stories from the Ice again from Dundurn Press.
“I’m a Leaf fan,” he admitted again in a recent interview with Yorkton This Week, adding early on that made him somewhat reticent to taking on a book on the long-time TO rivals from Montreal questioning whether he could “give the franchise justice.”
But, he eventually dove into the task.
“Admittedly I didn’t know everything a diehard Habs fan might know,” said Commito.
However, the book was never intended to be a definitive history of the franchise.
Still, Commito said from the outset he made sure “to check my Leaf baggage at the door,” when writing his latest.
Like the Leafs effort this is one of those fun books, with a Canadiens story for every day of the year in capsule form. It is an ideal quick read over morning coffee, or a break at the office desk.
Commito said there was certainly a rich history to draw from with a franchise which has won 24 Stanley Cups.
“There were a lot of options,” he said, adding the book could have almost bogged down with Cup winning tales, but he tried to incorporate a wider range of stories for fans.
Speaking of being a Habs fan, Commito said he was almost tempted by the team’s history, noting that in a blog he wrote “I almost became a Montreal Canadiens fan . . . Almost.”
While stating he remains “committed to the blue and white” researching the Habs books did lead him to a new “appreciation and respect for the franchise.”
So did one story stand out for the author.
Commito quickly noted the tale chosen for Dec. 17, who made his Habs debut in net on the sate, recording an 18-shot shut out.
But the story grew as Commito researched the goaltender.
Before the Canadiens called him up in 1955 to replace an injured Jacques Plante, Perreault had already made a name for himself in the Quebec Hockey League with the Shawinigan Cataracts. One game, he went out onto the ice to take his usual spot between the pipes, but he was sporting some extra accessories and had a companion in tow. Perreault was chomping on a cigar under a straw hat, while pulling a monkey on a chain.
He had apparently bought the primate on a trip to Florida and named it Chief. Although the crowd might have delighted in the goaltender’s antics, after he placed his pet on top of the net, the referee told him to ditch it or he’d be out of the game.
The Habs book has been well-received, and Commito said with Christmas coming, he expects that interest to grow, noting that even if a hockey fan is not a Canadiens fan, they will know someone who is.
Ultimately the interest in the book may get a boost as there is work toward a French language edition.
“There are a lot of Francophone fans out there,” said the author.
With the success of two ‘365 books’, it’s not surprising the author is working on a third. He said a Bruins 365 is slated for fall 2025 release.
After that – who knows?
Commito said while no plan yet exists, Vancouver as a Canadian franchise has been around for more than 50 years to provide ample material, and with three original six teams covered by this time next year – why not the other three; Detroit, Chicago, and the New York Rangers.
