Ronnie Shuker

In the spring of 1951, Bill Barilko etched his name into hockey history. At just twenty-four years old, the hard-hitting, near-sighted defenseman from the gold-mining town of Timmins scored an overtime winner in the Stanley Cup Final, securing the Toronto Maple Leafs their fourth championship in five years.

Four months later, Barilko and his pilot disappeared on a return flight from a fishing trip near James Bay, triggering the largest aviation search in Canadian history.

Marking the seventy-fifth anniversary of that goal and disappearance, sportswriter Ronnie Shuker meticulously reconstructs Barilko's unlikely ascent, from the rugged outdoor rinks of Northern Ontario to the Hollywood Wolves of the PCHL, and ultimately, to Maple Leaf Gardens. There, he became "Bashin' Bill," a fan favorite as renowned for his punishing play as for his clutch performances. Shuker then retraces Barilko's final floatplane journey, examining the pilot error, inclement weather, and overloaded cargo that likely led to the crash and the ensuing eleven-year mystery that captivated a nation.