The Ottawa Launch of In the Pressure of the Moment: Remembering Gerry McNeil

The Ottawa launch of In the Pressure of the Moment: Remembering Gerry McNeil was held Sunday, April 10th, at 2 pm in the Kildare Room of the St. Brigid's Centre for the Arts. John Kruspe former defensive back with the Roughriders (Grey Cup 1973) did the introduction. Unfortunately, St. Brigid's had its projector stolen so there was no multi media show. Indigo handled sales, but they were a little late in getting to the site. Nevertheless, the turnout was solid.

Gerry's sweater may not have been "game-worn" but its familiar red caught the light brilliantly. As per his usual agenda, David first spoke about how his first publisher reneged on a contract and left him in limbo with regard to the project. "I asked myself what would my father have said? Is it over? One thing about a book manuscript or any creative project for that matter is that it isn't "over" until the artist says it is. Sport can be brutal in this respect; the clock winds down and if you are behind on the score board when it runs out you lose. It's that simple. Game over. Go home. When my publisher told me that the guy who signed me to the contract turned out to be "totally incompetent," that "they fired his ass," and "that my manuscript just didn't fit their series," I had to take solace in the fact that my father had died and wouldn't know. I also knew that I had no choice really--I could only try to make the MS better. So I've been doing that for close to twenty years, and now I can say that I'm happy with the final product.

In the audience was Jim Milks, former president of SIHR (Society for International Hockey Research). Three of David's fraternity (Omicron) brothers were there (Mark Dawe, Mike Cox and Greg Roche), and the framed reproduction of the Kilpatrick photo was won by Mark's wife Eileen who knew the author in Montreal back in the early 1970s. Mike Cox won the autographed hockey card so it was a good afternoon for Omicron (see Montreal launch).

Among the audience were no less than three members of the Davis family from Quebec City (Brian, Driscilla and Sandra)--all cousins of the author. Brian related a story about how Gerry had been his coach back in minor hockey. Other former Quebec City residents included Chuck Alleyn, a childhood friend and Tim Murphy, a first cousin; both carried multiple copies over to be signed.

Since there was no projector, David didn't bother with the visual component of the multi-media show, but he did tell the Dollard St. Laurent story.

Once David finished signing copies, he along with his sister Karen and a number of other people retreated to the pub next-door. Thanks to John Kruspe for the publicity, and Patrick for allowing us to use the Kildare Room. Another great event.

Click here for an mp3 (audio) of the Dollard St. Laurent story.

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Last Updated: 14 January 2026