Centre Ice
"If ever a name were synonymous with hockey, that name would by Smythe. During the depths of the Depression, Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Conn Smythe purchased the Toronto St. Patricks and in patriotic tradition christened them, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Smythe reigned as Leafs owner and president from 1927 until his transfer of ownership to son Stafford in 1961. This move was part of a succession plan which would insure that his grandson Tommy Smythe would one day assume his destined role in Leaf history as owner.
Unfortunately, due to Stafford's untimely death and partnership with Harold Ballard, Tommy never inherited the Smythe dynasty. Even so, his fortunate years growing up, and associated with the Maple Leafs organization awarded him a fascinating life, witnessing and participating in an unconceivable number of significant hockey events. Tom befriended many of the most famous and influential people from the NHL's past and present and candidly conveys these experiences and more, throughout this comprehensive look at one of Canada's most prominent hockey families and the team which brought the city of Toronto their 11 Stanley Cups."
AUTHOR(S): Thomas Stafford Smythe with Kevin Shea
FORWARD: Wayne Gretzky
PUBLISHER: Fenn Publishing Company Ltd., 2000