A must read for hockey dads
938515
Bobby Orr is the greatest hockey player of all time, but after reading his book, he's a better role model and his insights on hockey, and especially youth hockey, are outstanding
3515342
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! As a hockey mom, it was definitely relatable. Even if you are not a hockey mom, you will enjoy this book. It is funny, witty, and definitely provides some food for thought when it comes to youth sports. I would highly recommend this book!
3933961
This is a wonderful book for many reasons and holds you until the end.
Blocked is about a woman working her way into a man's world, the world of hockey. Ever since childhood, hockey has always been Brit's passion and her dream. Having been successful in the minor leagues and making it into the NHL has been a rough journey, but a journey well worth taking. From the very beginning, Brit has been through a lot of ups and downs to get where she is, but she is a fighter.
Now that she's in the NHL, she's experiencing being bullied, blackmailed and coerced into something she doesn't want to do, nor what she feels is right. Seeing no other option, Brit is forced to comply to the wrongful demands or loose the opportunity she has worked so hard for, the opportunity to play in the NHL.
I don't read sport books normally but I am so glad I read this one. I highly recommend it even if you don't read sport books. The characters are believable and leave you cheering for them
2936298
The Badgers NHL Team definitely has some serious hotness overload in players. And in Brendan's story, this single Dad and his adorable kid just just added some cuteness factor to the mix! So, prepare to get swooning and daydreaming as you read this amazing story!!!

I was provided a copy for review purposes.
3822226
This just might be the best sports book I have ever read. I purchased this in Lake Placid about a year ago when my son was in an ice hockey tournament. I took my time reading this because I savored every chapter, every story, every thought. Ken Dryden besides being one of the best goalies ever writes with a unique voice. The Game goes beyond the typical bio of an athlete and takes you places few are capable of writing about. His depth of thought and understanding of the entire game is incredible. Savor this thoughtful book.
4438925
Although the title causes Americans of my acquaintance to laugh, this book  really does a wonderful job of examining (if not always explaining) what  the game of hockey means to Canadians. If you have read "The  Game" and thought there was nothing more to be said about hockey and  Canada, think again.
Especial highlights are the early sections  discussing small-town Saskatchewan and the importance of the rink in  drawing the community together; the stories of particular players with NHL  dreams; and the memories of members of Team Canada during the 1972 Summit  Series. Phil Esposito, the heart of that team, is not surprisingly the guy  with the best stories about what it all meant. The following section about  Soviet hockey, which elevates the faceless Russkies into real guys and  fellow players, is almost enough to make a Canadian root for them.  (Almost.) And the writers' take on their own recreational play, and what it  means to them, is illuminating and sort of touching. Once again, as in  "The Game," Ken Dryden manages to depict himself as an amazingly  inept Hall of Famer, always panicking under pressure and getting in the way  of his defensemen -- "I could talk and chew gum at the same time, but  breathing did me in." There's no false modesty here, the reader gets  the impression that Dryden held himself to impossibly high standards.  Still, when he explains that he now plays defense because he has fulfilled  his goalie fantasies, and playing defense allows him to have new ones, it's  nice to know he still enjoys the game. (And I have to admit, I howled when  I got to his dry remark on playing defense and who's responsible when a  goal is scored: "I've changed my mind -- it IS always the goalie's  fault.")
The photos that decorate this book are equally beautiful,  from the prairie kids playing on a frozen slough to the professionals  displaying their remarkable ability to a member of Team Canada (1972)  jumping for joy as a Russian player offers a wry yet respectful salute. The  photos are grouped according to section and I find it telling that the only  photo of Dryden as a Montreal Canadien is one of him and a bunch of his  teammates grinning in delight at having apparently won some kind of  inter-squad scrimmage trophy. This photo is grouped with the recreational  player section and tells an enormous amount about how Dryden felt about the  game even as a professional.
Dryden and MacGregor describe Canada as  "an improbable country," and they mean that in a good way. What  holds us together as a nation are the bonds we have made among ourselves,  and hockey is one of those bonds. I was reminded of that this year during  the Stanley Cup playoffs, when a mailing list I subscribed to for the CBC  news reminded subscribers of schedule changes because "there's hockey  tonight." I hadn't watched much hockey in years but somehow, living in  Texas surrounded by US culture, it felt like home to watch Larry Robinson  hoist the Cup once again.
These are two great hockey writers, and they  have produced a book that, even ten years later, is a joy.
832777
4.5 Stars
Lane is 20 years old and just starting what looks to be a promising career in professional hockey with minor league team the Sea Storm. Hes just moved from Canada to Jacksonville, Florida. Too bad he has alienated most of his team before the first game starts with his inability to filter his thoughts before speaking. At 31, Jared Shore knows his time playing hockey is nearing an end. Cast as the villain enforcer for the Renegades, Jareds used to fighting on the ice, and when rookie Lane Courtnall drops his gloves to instigate a fight in his first game, Jared knows just why he is doing it. When he runs into Lane at a bar later that night, things get strange, then they get hot and then they cant wait to do it again. Good thing their teams are rivals with plenty of games to look forward to, not that Jareds looking for a relationship or that Lane even knows whats going on!

I really enjoyed this story. Once again Avon Gale has created a quirky and loveable character in the socially awkward Lane. Hes not good at feelings and says things as they pop into his head, often taking what other people say quite literally. He needs to pause to think about things hes not sure he understands, even if it occurs in the middle of sex. Lane is not very experienced, but is eager to learn everything he can from Jared, who is more than happy to oblige.

Jared is a sweetheart. He knows where he stands in the league and that he needs to start considering life after hockey. While Lane is learning a lot from him, Jared also starts seeing things differently after spending time with Lane, realizing how the events that started his career were still holding him back after so many years. The way he embraces the weird that is Lane just made me smile.

The dual point of view works great and the two MCs have very different personalities. They fall very easily into their relationship with no unnecessary drama between them. Its not often that I find myself laughing in the middle of a hot sex scene before getting right back to it. I loved the way Jared and Lane kept their rivalry on the ice and each played to win, trash talk and all. You don't have to be a hockey lover to enjoy the entertaining on-ice scenes.

The biggest issues that both men have to deal with concern their parents and, for Lane, coming out to his team. Both had different experiences, good and bad, as far as their families supporting their interests and responding to their sexualities, but neither has been all that good communicating about it and tensions grow throughout the story.

In addition to Jared and Lane, there are a number of well written supporting characters including Lanes new best friend Zoe, his roommates Riley and Ryan, and the rest of the Storm and Renegades players. Im really looking forward to the next story about quiet Sea Storm goalie Riley.

Breakaway is a completely different book than Avon Gales debut, Let the Wrong Light In. This is a straight forward romance about two men falling in love and incorporating each other into their lives, with no major angst or drama. There are still bumps in the road of course, but its a lighter, feel good love story.  If you like sports themed romances with a touch of humor, a quirky MC and a wonderful supporting cast youll have fun with this story.

Reviewed by Debra for Sinfully Gay Romance Book Reviews
4403679
This is what I wanted to hear! I wanted the stories and legendary yarns that made up the league that captured our imaginations as kids. We couldn't see them much because they almost never had a TV contract but we knew something special was happening that was changing hockey as we knew it. The author does a magnificent job in piecing together this wonderful story thru the collections of stories that made it happen. His love for the WHA story shines thru here and the result is brilliant. This challenge was no easy feat as the WHA's disorganization WAS the organization! This book had its shortcomings. There was some obvious editing and proof reading issues. In the excitement to tell the many stories the author was obviously dying to tell he creates some confusion with long sentences and bunching up names to the point you can't tell who he's talking about. It becomes like bar room storytelling...which I love but in a book can lose a reader. The author dotes on the players mounting point totals but fails to completely make a connection that the league was made up of extremes...good to excellent players playing on and against teams with players who without the WHA would never see the roster of major league hockey. He also fails to mention the NHL owners and managers knew those stats would never translate to the NHL. A MAJOR omission in the book is there is no mention that WHA power play rules were different. Icing the puck was not allowed by the killing team. This made a power play goal almost twice as likely in the WHA as the NHL inflating the stats of many players as well.

However it is very hard to be critical of this otherwise amazing book. Its satisfying and lovingly told. The author does a great job outlining the historic ramification that this league's effect still has on hockey today. The players of today need to be grateful for this league for what they have now. This book is a must for the hockey fan in your life!
14527
This book was more than just about hockey! Although if you are a hockey fan, you will thoroughly enjoy all the detailed info! I felt like I was on their journey, learned some great traveling lessons, got some great ideas, felt their gratitude, passion, and most of all it made me start thinking not only about a bucket list, but what I could do to make those seemingly unattainable thoughts a reality. Great read and a great gift!
3749114
I bought this book after reading an excerpt in The Hockey News Magazine.  I really didn't know what to expect.  Fraser paints a picture of the NHL that is grueling, touching, and funny.  He follows his time from his ascension into the ranks as an NHL Referee and follows some extremely memorable moments up until his last game.  Fraser discusses some confrontations and experiences with players that are often colorful.  What was most endearing about this book were the touching and emotional moments that Fraser experienced.  He shows how meaningful hockey has been to him and many of the players he has worked with over the years.  As he talks about his last games in different hockey venues, i found myself touched with the admiration and respect that some of the NHL's legendary players had for Fraser.  This book is wonderful.  I am a college student and amid my various due dates and other responsibilities i found myself reading this book whenever i had a chance.  I very highly recommend this book.
264469
Being a Red Wings fan for 60 years, l really enjoyed the book. If you are a hockey fan or a sports fan this book is for you. It takes you inside of how the Russian Five came to be Detroit Red Wings. The winning, the losing, the heartache and tragedy.  I admit that l had lots of tears reading the book even though l knew the outcome.
3613369
I bought this book when it first came out in 2003 and it is still, by far, the best hockey coaching resource on the market. Even today, whether coaching or writing, when I'm looking for coaching information, Red Gendron's book is still the first one I pull off the shelf to look for answers.

The book is well thought out and well written. While it does contain a fair amount of skills and drills, it is not a skills and drills manual. This book is geared towards those bantam, midget, or high school coach's who are looking to gain deeper understanding and knowledge of systems and tactics as well as the concepts, processes and nomenclature of ice hockey.

USA Hockey Inc. thought so much of this book that they slapped a new cover on it and began using it as their Level-IV coaches manual.

I've been coaching hockey for over a quarter century as well as write a syndicated hockey column called "Hockey from the Neck up" and of all the coaching books I've read over the years the only book that has had more of an influence on my coaching development has been Mike Krzyzewski's "Leading with the Heart" - and that's a basketball book!
2572583
I'm not a book reader, but I received this book as a gift and could not put it down. I'm a Tier I Jr. A goalie, with international experience as well. This book has been great in helping with my mental game both on and off the ice. My in-game play has become more consistant, and I have become mentally stonger. Every player goes through ups and downs, I feel like my downs don't last as long, and I'm not shaken if a questionable goal goes in. I would recomend this book to anyone who is serious about their game, because the information given in this book is solid. This book should be mandetory for all early teen players.
2154463
I have been a follower of the blog "Life to Her Years" since the beginning.  I was lucky enough to part of a group to preview this book before it was released. Its filled with all kinds of insightful advice for dads as well as a lot of wonderful reader submitted photos.  Some will have you laughing out loud because if you are a dad with daughters you have been there, while others will pull at your heart strings because they don't stay little girls forever. It will inspire new dads with lots of fun things to do with their daughters, just as it will be a trip down memory lane for dads whose girls have grown into young women.

You will not make it thru this book without shedding a few tears or having a few laughs.

This book will be a treasured gift for any dad who is lucky enough to receive it!  I bought one to give to each of my daughters, plan to write a little note in them so someday that can look back an know what an honor it was for me to be their dad.
3056301
This is a really enjoyable book, containing all the things we as fathers think but can never say. It provides an unforgiving, sincere, and entertaining look at the life of a father, and gives great advice to new fathers, or anyone else looking for a healthy dose of life lessons. I found myself laughing out loud many times during my reading, and the author skillfully uses these funny parts to really teach valuable lessons that might just save you some headaches, or at least change your perspective a bit. Definitely a quick and fun read, and allows everyone some rare insight into the life of a father. Go Eagles!
4952521
Enjoyed watching Avery play hockey years ago and honestly feel this is one of the best sports memoirs I've ever read.  Avery is a wickedly-interesting person and he pulled no punches in writing this book.  It's as honest as it gets and if you're a fan of hockey, one of the teams Avery played for or Avery himself, definitely pick it up.  I'm really glad I did.  And this is a book I will undoubtedly read again down the road...I do that with books I really love(d).
1605734
Insightful, interesting, and sometimes funny story of Brent Peterson's life and how his positive outlook and faith helps him deal with Parkinson's. A must read for hockey fans.