Veteran Sault sportswriter pens 2nd book

Randy Russon joins Tony Ryma to discuss his second book, ‘More Tales of an Old Hockey Writer.” Russon covered sports in the Sault for decades.

Randy Russon, a longtime sportswriter in Sault Ste. Marie, with a career spanning 50 years, has released his second book, More Tales of an Old Hockey Writer.

A walking encyclopedia of local sports

Russon is known in the Sault as a walking encyclopedia of local sports knowledge. He delves deeper into his past coverage of hockey in his hometown with this latest publication.

“My first book was well received,” Russon said. “I had a lot of people ask me, ‘When are you going to write another book?’ I knew I had so many stories that I thought, I am going to do a sequel.”

Road hockey heroes and local legends

Russon explained to CTV News that he did not focus on a specific player or team when writing this book. Instead, he aimed to highlight the people and players who stood out to him over his decades of covering the sport.

“The first chapter of the new book is called ‘Road Hockey Heroes,’” Russon said. “I mention a bunch of people my age who I went to grade school with in Sault Ste. Marie and the old road hockey days.”

Reflecting on those memories, Russon recalled the joy of playing road hockey after school and on Sundays after church. The book then transitions to his coverage of the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League.

Greyhounds’ standouts and the ‘G’ connection

Russon highlighted several standout players from the Greyhounds whose last names coincidentally began with the letter ‘G.’

“Steve Gatzos scored 78 goals one year, Brian Galuzzi scored 75 goals one year,” Russon noted. “Wayne Groulx, who is the all-time leading scorer in Greyhounds history with 567 points and of course, the incomparable Wayne Gretzky, who played his only OHL season in the Sault.”

A nod to NOJHL commissioner

Another chapter in the book is dedicated to Rob Mazzuca, the current commissioner of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. Russon pointed out that some may not remember Mazzuca’s playing days.

“Rob was a standout forward with the Sudbury Wolves during his junior career,” Russon said.

Third book already in the works

Russon revealed that he is already compiling notes for a third book, tentatively titled ‘Hockey North and South’. With his deep well of stories and passion for the game, fans can expect another engaging read in the near future.