Bruce Boudreau’s much-anticipated book, Gabby: Confessions of a Hockey Lifer, officially hit the bookshelves on Saturday afternoon, and the occasion was celebrated with a book signing by Boudreau and the book’s co-author, Tim Leone, at Kettler Iceplex.

For Leone, who has penned other books, but none with the anticipation that this one has garnered, the last few days of waiting have been painfully long.

“I’ve been telling people it’s akin to being locked up 10 minutes before a game starts, but instead of 10 minutes, it’s been weeks,” said Leone.

The original idea for the book was born back in the spring of 2008 when Leone approached Boudreau, who was in town watching the Bears compete in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

“He came up for a playoff game against Wilkes-Barre and I approached him and said, ‘I think this can be a book’, and he agreed and we proceeded from there,” remembers Leone. “When Bruce got promoted to Washington, obviously, you had the Cinderella possibility hanging out there. When he brought them back, and they made the playoffs, even before he was named coach of the year, it just seemed like a natural story.”

A diverse crown was on hand at Kettler for the signing, including my own daughter, 15-year-old Jenn Sparenberg of Reisterstown, Maryland, who has closely followed Boudreau’s career progression.

“Bruce is my hero,” Jenn said. It’s been my ultimate desire to meet him for a long time, and it was beyond amazing to finally have the chance. He has been an inspiration to me, because of what he has achieved in his life through hard work and perseverance.”

Also included in the assembled mass at Kettler was Margarita Streicher of Gaithersburg, Maryland, who has never attended a live hockey game, and has only been following hockey since last year’s playoff run when a friend suggested she see what the hype was about.

“The whole intensity of the game and the non-stop action is very exciting to watch,” said Streicher. “He reminds me of a teddy bear. You get that sense that you could go and talk to him like anybody on the street.”

Lisa Johnson of Burke, Virginia, who is a Caps season ticket holder and had attended games in the HersheyPark Arena in the 1970’s, sported a sizeable stack of the freshly printed books, with many destined to arrive under the Christmas tree of relatives in the Hershey area.

“I knew about Bruce from my family in Hershey,” revealed Johnson. “I like his honesty and how he doesn’t get too rattled about things, which I think is the right attitude to take with sports.”

Capitals’ assistant coach, Bob Woods, who has played and coached alongside Boudreau for many years, said that he could see why people would be intrigued by story of Boudreau’s life.

“Bruce is a popular guy and he’s also a very interesting person. I think this will make for a good read, and I’m sure people will enjoy reading his story,” said Woods.

Before heading to the signing table for the meet and greet with the book’s buyers, Boudreau was asked if his players would be receiving complimentary copies.

“$24.95,” joked Boudreau in full entrepreneurial mode. “They’re all millionaires, and I think I get about three cents a copy.”