The "Down Goes Brown" History of the NHL

The World's Most Beautiful Sport, the World's Most Ridiculous League

By: Sean McIndoe

Narrated by: Sean McIndoe

Sean McIndoe of Down Goes Brown, one of hockey's favourite and funniest writers, takes aim at the game's most memorable moments--especially if they're memorable for the wrong reasons--in this warts-and-all history of the NHL.

The NHL is, indisputably, weird. One moment, you're in awe of the speed, skill and intensity that define the sport, shaking your head as a player makes an impossible play, or shatters a longstanding record, or sobs into his first Stanley Cup. The next, everyone's wearing earmuffs, Mr. Rogers has shown up, and guys in yellow raincoats are officiating playoff games while everyone tries to figure out where the league president went. That's just life in the NHL, a league that often can't seem to get out of its own way. No matter how long you've been a hockey fan, you know that sinking feeling that maybe, just maybe, some of the people in charge here don't actually know what they're doing. And at some point, you've probably wondered: Has it always been this way?
The short answer is yes. As for the longer answer, well, that's this book.
In this fun, irreverent and fact-filled history, Sean McIndoe relates the flip side to the National Hockey League's storied past. His obsessively detailed memory combines with his keen sense for the absurdities that make you shake your head at the league and yet fanatically love the game, allowing you to laugh even when your team is the butt of the joke (and as a life-long Leafs fan, McIndoe takes the brunt of some of his own best zingers). The "Down Goes Brown" History of the NHL is the weird and wonderful league's story told as only Sean McIndoe can.

Critic reviews

“In this fun, irreverent, and fact-filled history, McIndoe writes his obsessively detailed memories, combined with his keen sense for the head-shaking absurdities of the league. All this, while acknowledging the love for the game.” —The New Classical FM

“McIndoe is definitely in his element writing The Down Goes Brown History of the NHL. . . . McIndoe’s well-researched look into hockey history covers lots of topics with his humorous, and sometimes sarcastic, view providing an entertaining look at the NHL and how it came to be. . . . And as interesting as the history chapters are, these sections are fun and funny. . . . If you are looking for an entertaining hockey book you will want to consider The Down Goes Brown History of the NHL!” —NorthBayNipissing.com

“This is the book that Sean McIndoe was born to write, if only because the history of the NHL requires heavy doses of skepticism and sarcasm to prevent nausea. Hilarious, insightful and the only hockey book I’ve ever read that can balance a perceptive look at the history of fighting with how Harrison Ford indirectly saved the Colorado Avalanche. It’s like having a guy at the pub giving you a master class in hockey history, except he’s smarter and funnier than your drunk ass will ever be.” —Greg Wyshynski, Senior NHL Writer, ESPN

“On a sunny, summer afternoon from my cottage deck, I picked up Sean McIndoe’s book and could not put it down until I was done reading it. The Down Goes Brown History of the NHL is a delightful read, of course humorous because it’s McIndoe, but impressively informative in finding a way to cram 101 years of NHL hockey into 249 pages. The wonderfully written book is also a reminder that while the NHL is a business, it’s also entertainment, and sometimes we need to stop taking ourselves so seriously. We love the game, but let’s remember it’s just that, a game. McIndoe’s historical account entertains and informs all at once.” —Pierre LeBrun, TSN Insider and columnist for The Athletic

“Who better to chronicle off-the-wall hockey history than the off-the-wall Down Goes Brown, aka Sean McIndoe.” —Bob McKenzie, TSN Insider and author of Hockey Confidential

If you love hockey, you’ll love this.

Great book. Just listening to a few memories that it reminded me of made me smile while I was listening. Love it.

Such an awesome book! READ THIS, HOCKEY FANS!

I absolutely loved this book! Sean McIndoe's passionate and often whimsical approach to describing the greatest sport in the world really speaks of the deep-rooted love that came upon him, even at a later age than many of the fans around him.

Hearing all the stories of triumph, defeat, and the bizarre made me want to step back in time to "Old Time Hockey" (coming from a Hoosier born in 1991).

Do yourself a favor, hockey fans! Listen to/read this book. McIndoe is so amazing at pulling into a world so vivid and amazing, that you will feel as if you had been there before.

I Love This!

As a slightly newer hockey fan, 4-5 years, I know enough about the recent developments of the NHL but almost none of the history. This book perfectly sums up just what I needed to know and provided interesting stories that I would have never known otherwise. I also like that it's narrated by the author and his voice isn't too boring or too energetic for my taste.

Learning about hockey and lesser known stories...

Very interesting book but the narrator was almost deadpan throughout the reading. That could have added to my enjoyment as I am trying to learn as much as possible and hockey is a fascinating sport. I was able to interpret the stories on my own and feel my own emotions about the book instead of having them given to me in a home-team type broadcast. Very enjoyable and informative!

Love the comedy. Great listen.

Don’t need to like hockey to enjoy this one. A good audiobook to have on while working or going for a walk.