Author Brian Kennedy explores the deep roots of Canada’s hockey obsession, which has become an integral piece of our national mythology. From the origins of the game in Mi'kmaq culture to Olympic gold, he delves into how the game explains who we are as Canadians. From Rocket Richard to Wayne Gretzky, our heroic ideals draw from hockey culture. Rivalries between regions, languages and cities are played out in the hockey arena, and our values and spirit of identity have been shaped by the toughness and teamwork on the ice.

Brian Kennedy is Montreal-born and raised, and now teaches British and postcolonial literature as well as writing courses at Pasadena City College, California. He has PhD in contemporary British literature, and his previous publications include essays on Virginia Woolf, Henry James and Graham Greene, an edited book on California issues and books and academic articles on hockey and Canadian culture. He has held a research fellowship at Saint Mary’s University, Halifax; given presentations at the Bakhtin Centre at the University of Sheffield, England; and lectured on literature at colleges in Mumbai, India. His work has been translated into Russian, Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch.

Brian Kennedy's profile page