In the days of Roch s childhood, winters in the village of Ste. Justine were long. Life centered around school, church, and the hockey rink, and every boy s hero was Montreal Canadiens hockey legend Maurice Richard. Everyone wore Richard s number 9. They laced their skates like Richard. They even wore their hair like Richard. When Roch outgrows his cherished Canadiens sweater, his mother writes away for a new one. Much to Roch s horror, he is sent the blue and white sweater of the rival Toronto Maple Leafs, dreaded and hated foes to his beloved team. How can Roch face the other kids at the rink?"