Kirstie McLellan Day

Kirstie McLellan Day is a Canadian author and journalist best known for co-writing sports memoirs and hockey biographies with NHL players and personalities. She has collaborated on bestselling books with hockey figures including Theo Fleury, Bob Probert, Ron MacLean, and Kelly Hrudey. Her most successful work is "Playing with Fire," co-written with Theo Fleury, which topped Canadian bestseller lists and dealt candidly with Fleury's hockey career and personal struggles. The book won the 2010 Canadian Authors Association Birks Family Foundation Award for Biography. McLellan Day has established herself as one of hockey's preeminent storytellers, known for tackling difficult subjects and drawing out raw, honest narratives from her subjects. Her other notable works include "Tough Guy: My Life on the Edge" with Bob Probert and "Cornered: Hijinks, Highlights, Late Nights and Insights" with Ron MacLean. Beyond hockey, McLellan Day has written for television and authored various newspaper columns. She founded Calgary's Pyramid Productions with her husband Larry Day, producing numerous documentary and television projects focused on sports and cultural topics.

Readers praise McLellan Day's ability to capture authentic voices of hockey players and tell their stories without sensationalism. Her collaborations with athletes receive high marks for raw honesty and emotional depth. What readers liked: - Direct, conversational writing style - Balanced portrayal of difficult subjects - Clear presentation of complex personal stories - Thorough research and historical detail What readers disliked: - Some repetition in narrative structure - Occasional focus on dramatic moments over broader context - Writing can feel unpolished in places Ratings across platforms: - "Playing with Fire" (with Theo Fleury): 4.2/5 on Goodreads (2,000+ ratings), 4.6/5 on Amazon - "Tough Guy" (with Bob Probert): 4.1/5 on Goodreads (1,000+ ratings) - "Cornered" (with Ron MacLean): 3.9/5 on Goodreads (500+ ratings) One reader noted: "She lets the subjects tell their stories without judgment." Another commented: "These aren't just hockey books - they're human stories told with respect."

Playing with Fire (2009) A memoir co-written with NHL player Theo Fleury detailing his hockey career, personal struggles with addiction, and experiences of sexual abuse by his junior hockey coach.

Tough Guy: My Life on the Edge (2010) A biography co-authored with NHL enforcer Bob Probert chronicling his hockey career, fighting on the ice, and battles with substance abuse.

Cornered: Hijinks, Highlights, Late Nights and Insights (2012) A memoir co-written with Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean sharing stories from his broadcasting career and experiences in hockey.

Hockey Towns (2015) A collection of stories co-written with Ron MacLean exploring the culture and impact of hockey across different Canadian communities.

Call Me Indian (2021) A biography co-authored with Fred Sasakamoose documenting his journey as one of the first Indigenous players in the NHL and his experiences in residential schools.

Calling the Shots (2012) A memoir co-written with NHL goaltender Kelly Hrudey about his playing career and transition to broadcasting.

Ken Dryden Wrote "The Game," considered one of the greatest hockey books ever written. His analytical approach to hockey writing and ability to capture both on-ice action and deeper psychological elements mirrors McLellan Day's style.

Roy MacGregor Has authored numerous hockey books including works on Wayne Gretzky and detailed accounts of Canadian hockey culture. His journalistic background and focus on the human elements of hockey stories align with McLellan Day's approach.

Stephen Brunt Writes sports biographies that explore the complex personalities behind athletic achievements. His work "Searching for Bobby Orr" demonstrates the same depth of research and personal storytelling found in McLellan Day's collaborations.

Al Strachan Specializes in hockey insider stories and player biographies with direct access to major NHL figures. His writing provides similar behind-the-scenes perspectives and candid revelations as McLellan Day's work.

Jay Greenberg Produced comprehensive hockey biographies including "Full Spectrum" about the Philadelphia Flyers. His attention to historical detail and ability to weave personal narratives into larger sports contexts matches McLellan Day's biographical approach.