Picturing the Game: An Illustrated Story of Hockey

Witness to Yesterday (The Champlain Society Podcast on Canadian History)

Larry Ostola speaks with Don Weekes about his book, Picturing the Game: An Illustrated Story of Hockey. Hockey has a long, surprising connection to editorial cartooning and sports illustration—one as storied as the game itself. While writers and photographers have captured the action on the ice, cartoonists have offered a rawer, more mischievous take on the sport. Picturing the Game dives into this satirical world, highlighting the rough drafts of hockey history by artists like Bruce MacKinnon, Aislin, Serge Chapleau, Susan Dewar, Brian Gable, and more. Through sharp wit and keen observation, they not only make us laugh but often expose deeper truths—especially about those running the show. The collection begins with anonymous early artists who sketched the game’s first moments and spectators. Their work evolved into the illustrations of Arthur Racey and Lou Skuce, whose cartoons thrived when newspapers dominated public opinion and the printed word held great authority. These dailies helped elevate hockey to its place as Canada’s national sport. Later, artists like Franklin Arbuckle, Duncan Macpherson, and Len Norris brought even more depth, using allegory, irreverence, and cultural commentary to give their work lasting power. Weekes brings together these visionary cartoonists whose sharp lines and sharper minds made satire an essential lens on hockey. Their work, both groundbreaking and quintessentially Canadian, left a lasting imprint on sports journalism—and the game itself. Don Weekes is an award-winning television producer and the author of numerous hockey books. He lives in Montreal and shoots left. Image Credit: McGill-Queen’s University Press If you like our work, please consider supporting it: bit.ly/support_WTY. Your support contributes to the Champlain Society’s mission of opening new windows to directly explore and experience Canada’s past.