The Riverton Rifle

Straight Shooting on Hockey and on Life

“The Riverton Rifle is an amazing read, the classic tale of a young man reaching the pinnacle despite the odds. It’s powerful, straightforward, and full of action.”

– Joseph Boyden, award-winning author

Synopsis

Nicknamed the Riverton Rifle for his thrilling speed and deadly shooting skills, Reggie Leach overcame a childhood marked by poverty and racism to rise through the NHL ranks, playing for the Stanley Cup-winning 1975 Philadelphia Flyers. Working with author Randi Druzin, he traces his trajectory from humble beginnings to NHL stardom. He also recounts his dramatic downfall, which was caused by drinking, and his subsequent rebirth as a successful businessman, family man, and pillar of the Indigenous community.

Endorsements

“Reggie Leach, star of the famed Broad Street Bullies, burned as hot off the ice as on it. The Riverton Rifle chronicles his rise to fame, his personal struggles, and his redemption from the demons that almost destroyed him. It’s a must-read for fans of 1970s hockey and anyone who loves watching a young player take on the star system of sports.”

– Bruce Dowbiggin, award-winning broadcaster and author

“Reggie Leach has inspired and encouraged people both in hockey and far beyond it. Wise, witty, and honest, The Riverton Rifle is a remarkable story full of triumphs and struggles that proves Leach’s determination to make a difference.”

– John K. Samson, musician and frontman of The Weakerthans