The Hockey Sweater

• The great Canadian reading list: 150 books to read for Canada 150

In the days of Roch's childhood, winters in the village of Ste. Justine were long. Life centered around school, church, and the hockey rink, and every boy's hero was Montreal Canadiens hockey legend Maurice Richard. Everyone wore Richard's number 9. They laced their skates like Richard. They even wore their hair like Richard. When Roch outgrows his cherished Canadiens sweater, his mother writes away for a new one. Much to Roch's horror, he is sent the blue and white sweater of the rival Toronto Maple Leafs, dreaded and hated foes to his beloved team. How can Roch face the other kids at the rink? (FromTundra Books)

From the book

As It Happens10:28Roch Carrier reads 'The Hockey Sweater'

Roch Carrier reads 'The Hockey Sweater'

More about this book

Roch Carrier remembers 'The Hockey Sweater'

10 years ago

Duration 6:25

Quebec author tells My Montreal host Sonali Karnick about how his iconic novel came to be.

Archives18:41Maurice 'Rocket' Richard becomes a literary legend in The Hockey Sweater

For generations of Canadians, the number 9 becomes an iconic inspiration. Author Roch Carrier and Maurice Richard discuss the story The Hockey Sweater.

All in a Weekend Montreal10:42The 30th anniversary of "The Hockey Sweater" book

Author Roch Carrier didn't plan on writing the story of "The Hockey Sweater" and illustrator Sheldon Cohen was on his way to becoming a dentist when the project came up. They speak about how it all got started.