Peter Robinson - Hope and Heartbreak in Toronto: Life as a Maple Leafs Fan

I wish to thank the many people who helped me in this project; but first, some context.

I was finishing the manuscript as the Leafs were beginning an epic slump that would see them fall out of the NHL playoff race for the seventh consecutive season. The ugly slide cost head coach Ron Wilson his job. More telling was the anger that exploded amongst the teams fan base myself included and the declining reputation of Leafs GM Brian Burke among the teams supporters that took hold during this time. Having come undone as they did also scuttled any suggestion of a hopeful parting theme in this book. No one expected the 201112 version of the Leafs to win the Stanley Cup, but there was real hope up until about Valentines Day that the team would make the playoffs and provide genuine optimism for the future.

We all know how that turned out, and as painful as the lost 201112 season became, it meant that there would never be a better time to examine the sheer extent of emotions experienced when youre a Leafs fan. There have been many quality books and stories written about the hockey team, but they tend to reflect the journalists take on the various goings-on at Air Canada Centre. The intent of this book is to provide a fans perspective on the joys, as few as there have been, and overwhelming angst involved in following the team. To that end, none of the traditional methods of covering a hockey team were followed in putting together this book. Instead, I assumed the vantage point of a fan sitting in Air Canada Centre, not in its press box. To me, and I would hope that readers also feel this way, thats a key difference.

That said, many people deserve a heartfelt thank-you for helping me with the completion of this book.

First, to the staff at Dundurn, many thanks to you for taking a chance on a first-time author, but most of all for the professionalism and expertise in finishing the project. Like Dundurn, my agent Brian Wood rolled the dice with a neophyte. He was an immense help in getting the ball rolling.

James Ansley, Jason Logan, and Stephen Hubbard are three very dear friends who have all helped me James and Jason directly with the manuscript, and Stephen for his many years of helpful advice and affording me writing opportunities. Wendy Thomas has also been of great assistance on both this book and also during many, many years in my regular work. I would like to express my gratitude to Cliff Kivell, who has been the publisher of many magazines that Ive edited and has always been generous in allowing me to work on other projects. Im also grateful for the help of Gord French and Britney Mackey at various points along the way.

Long ago, I had a elementary school teacher named Jack Williams who Ive since lost touch with. I havent seen him in decades, but he planted the seed for much of my lifes work to this point.

My father, Ron, has always supported me even though I gave him ample reason for him to want to clobber his middle child, especially during the first half of my life. Thanks, Dad.

There is not nearly enough space here to list all the entertaining characters Ive met down at the Air Canada Centre; but I would like to make special mention of John Wilczynski and Sean Davis for being such great guys to watch games with and to spin the yarn with on the golf course.