To Hold It High

Four Generations of Hockey's Most Storied Franchise

By: Paul Deepan, Danny Geoffrion

Narrated by: Bob Allen

To you from failing hands we throw/The torch, be yours to hold it high: This is the inscription from John McCrae's famous poem "In Flanders Fields" which has adorned the dressing room of the legendary Montreal Canadiens since 1952, inspiring every subsequent generation of players.

But this is not just another sports book about the on-ice exploits of famous heroes.

To Hold It High is a saga of four generations who played for the same professional sports franchise, a feat not duplicated in any pro sport on the planet. This family story is intertwined with a history of a hockey team, a province, and a country. The history of the team cannot be told without mention of this family. The story of the family cannot be told without mention of the team. Even though so many individual greats have undeniably held and passed the torch before, and will do so again, no family but this one has gone through so much to hold that torch so high, pass it so often, and mark their place in Habitants history for so long.

A fast-paced collaboration by best-selling author Paul Deepan and raconteur extraordinaire Danny Geoffrion, To Hold it High traces the hockey lineage of Danny’s grandfather Howie Morenz, his father Boom-Boom Geoffrion, himself, and his son Blake, all of whom played for the Canadiens (Les Habitants, to their legions of adoring fans).

From the tragedies of on-ice collisions that ended lives and careers, to the hilarity of locker room rookie initiations, To Hold It High gives the listener a rare and authentic behind-the-scenes insight into the life of a professional athlete. Any student of the fastest game on Earth will love this book, as will any fan of Les Habitants.

©2021 Paul Deepan (P)2022 Paul Deepan

5 solid stars for the Geoffrion’s

I loved this book! I want to be transparent and say that the Geoffrion’s are my family. Danny is my uncle, and I’ve been close to all of them my whole life. But putting my biases aside, the storytelling, the facts, and the history of this book are 5 stars worthy. And if you’re already a hockey fan, you’ll really appreciate this book; or if you know nothing about the game, you will learn from here and most likely leave with an appreciation of the game and this family. As close as I am to my uncle, aunt, and cousins, I still learned so much that I didn’t know before reading this book. I laughed in parts, and teared up in others. I miss Pappy’s (Boom Boom) visits - his jokes, his stories, and his kindness. I enjoyed reading about him growing up. I had a hard time reading about Blake’s injury because I remember vividly when I got the phone call about it happening. It was such a terrifying accident, and not knowing if he would be back to normal ever again left our family praying super hard (so thankful God answered those prayers). I couldn’t be more proud of each of my cousins on all of their past and current accomplishments, and of my Uncle sharing his family’s history with the world by putting this book out. Hockey fan or not, you should read this book. The Geoffrion’s are such a loving, fun, talented, family, and all who know them love them. I know everyone who reads this book will see that come through in these pages.