Publication details of Stephen Harper's long-awaited hockey book are expected to be announced imminently, likely on Thursday, according to a source close to the deal.

The book itself is an open secret, but many of the details about it have been kept under careful wraps, including its publisher, title and release date.

A volume on professional hockey in its early days, the book has been in the works for years, with Mr. Harper reportedly spending 15 minutes on it daily.

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This is not expected to be a ghost-written vanity project by a prime minister looking to score political points: Mr. Harper is a serious hockey fan – a member of the Society for International Hockey Research – and can often be seen attending NHL games.