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The Road to Hockeytown: Jimmy Devellano's Forty Years in the NHL
SPORTS/HOCKEY "Although Jimmy never played professional hockey himself, he was born with an intense love for the game and has devoted his life to hockey. He lives and breathes the game. Hockey is better off because of Jimmy Devellano."
—From the Foreword by Mike and Marian Ilitch, Owners, Detroit Red Wings "Though he has never scored a goal, blocked a shot or thrown a body check, Jim Devellano contributed to seven Stanley Cup championships over three separate decades. An accomplishment of that magnitude is testament to his foresight, his insight and his hockey sense."
—Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner "He is my mentor. He gave me my first opportunity to get into the business. When he came to Detroit, one of the things he talked about was he was never going to trade a draft pick. He's a tremendous architect."
—Ken Holland, General Manager, Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings "He had what I would consider an outstanding career. He started from the very, very bottom and has worked his way up to, I would say, the top echelon in the league. I made him look so good, Mike Ilitch called me and stole him to Detroit."
—Bill Torrey, Former General Manager, New York Islanders "He is a truly respected hockey man who deserves all accolades that have been presented to him. However, where he has helped me the most is in understanding the sports environment in the city of Detroit. Jimmy spent countless hours advising me on this sports landscape upon my arrival in Michigan."
—Dave Dombrowski, President & General Manager, Detroit Tigers (MLB) "For more than the past 40 years Jim Devellano has had his hands on the hockey pulse. His remarkable accomplishments make him a Hockey Icon. Congratulations."
—Scotty Bowman, Consultant, Detroit Red Wings
—From the Foreword by Mike and Marian Ilitch, Owners, Detroit Red Wings "Though he has never scored a goal, blocked a shot or thrown a body check, Jim Devellano contributed to seven Stanley Cup championships over three separate decades. An accomplishment of that magnitude is testament to his foresight, his insight and his hockey sense."
—Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner "He is my mentor. He gave me my first opportunity to get into the business. When he came to Detroit, one of the things he talked about was he was never going to trade a draft pick. He's a tremendous architect."
—Ken Holland, General Manager, Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings "He had what I would consider an outstanding career. He started from the very, very bottom and has worked his way up to, I would say, the top echelon in the league. I made him look so good, Mike Ilitch called me and stole him to Detroit."
—Bill Torrey, Former General Manager, New York Islanders "He is a truly respected hockey man who deserves all accolades that have been presented to him. However, where he has helped me the most is in understanding the sports environment in the city of Detroit. Jimmy spent countless hours advising me on this sports landscape upon my arrival in Michigan."
—Dave Dombrowski, President & General Manager, Detroit Tigers (MLB) "For more than the past 40 years Jim Devellano has had his hands on the hockey pulse. His remarkable accomplishments make him a Hockey Icon. Congratulations."
—Scotty Bowman, Consultant, Detroit Red Wings
- GenresHockeyNonfictionSports
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2008
7 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 25, 2023
As an avid Hockey fan and bit time Detroit Red Wings fan I loved this book. It covers the hockey career of Jimmy D: from unpaid scout for the St Louis Blues to his current position (in 2008) as senior Vice President for the Detroit Red Wings.
This man from the Cabbagetown area of Toronto- with no high school diploma- changed the culture of the Detroit Red Wings hockey club. The book has a conversational tone, sort of like you're sitting there chatting with Jimmy D and he's telling you his story. I pretty much read it with Devellano's voice sounding out the words. I read this book in less than four days- all the while working 8 hours of labor getting our acreage ready to plant crops and trees. It's a fast, enjoyable and GOOD-READ.
If you're a hockey fan- this book's for you.
If you're a Red Wings fan- then this book is definitely for you.
This man from the Cabbagetown area of Toronto- with no high school diploma- changed the culture of the Detroit Red Wings hockey club. The book has a conversational tone, sort of like you're sitting there chatting with Jimmy D and he's telling you his story. I pretty much read it with Devellano's voice sounding out the words. I read this book in less than four days- all the while working 8 hours of labor getting our acreage ready to plant crops and trees. It's a fast, enjoyable and GOOD-READ.
If you're a hockey fan- this book's for you.
If you're a Red Wings fan- then this book is definitely for you.
April 29, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Got to have YouTube at the ready to rewatch some of the goals and games he talks about during those Stanley Cup playoff runs. Came of age watching those teams. Glory years.
January 25, 2012
Written so simply, even Sidney Crosby could read it. But get mom's permission first, Sid, there are a few dirty words.
December 6, 2020
Enjoyed the Devellano and Lajoie book immensely.
It was a given there would be a great deal of Detroit Red Wings history, but I was intrigued more so about what Jimmy might have to say about the start of his NHL career. He and Lajoie did not disappoint. Jimmy's stories about the early years with St. Louis and the New York Islanders were fantastic. In addition, I had absolutely had no idea Devellano was a long-time shareholder in the Toronto Maple Leafs. That chapter was especially interesting.
It was a given there would be a great deal of Detroit Red Wings history, but I was intrigued more so about what Jimmy might have to say about the start of his NHL career. He and Lajoie did not disappoint. Jimmy's stories about the early years with St. Louis and the New York Islanders were fantastic. In addition, I had absolutely had no idea Devellano was a long-time shareholder in the Toronto Maple Leafs. That chapter was especially interesting.
November 30, 2018
Lots of memories relived, bad and great.
October 7, 2022
Great book for a Red Wings or Islanders fan.
February 10, 2025
Review for The Road to Hockeytown can be found on Hockey Blog In Canada.
December 15, 2008
Quick read but interesting, especially about the Wings.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews