5 comments about Searching for Bobby Orr.

1. Being brought up in Detroit I knew of Hockey but that was it. I went to a few games as a child with Grandpa but everyone jumped up and I couldn't see anything. Now retired and with a wife that was a hockey fan I decided a few years ago to try watching the game. Low and behold a instant fan. This book did more for me that anything else in explaining the game and the names I had heard but really did not know. The sad side is like so many sports and jobs the management or agents or lawyers use and abuse their help. I enjoyed the book and it has certainly brought my knowledge of the sport and the game up. Go Red Wings.



2. If you like Hockey and grew up during the time of the legend Bobby Orr playing against the Canadians, the Maple Leafs, the Blackhawks and others this book is well worth the read. I enjoyed the book and will pass it on to others to enjoy as well.



3. I purchased and read this book only after receiving a recommendation from a hockey buddy. I originally passed on it based on the few reviews on Amazon.com; however, I was pleasantly surprised. Despite the "up and down" reviews, I thought this book was interesting and well written. One reviewer wrote, "In the course of researching this book, author Stephen Brunt was not able to talk to Orr or any of his close knit circle of friends and family. As a result, Brunt's account is superficial and, ultimately, disappointing and unsatisfying." I disagree. Because Orr was, in the reviewer's own words, a "secretive, introverted man", I do not believe that he is inclined to reveal any more of his private life than was shared in this book. The book provides an objective account of the best and most exciting hockey player ever to lace a pair of skates. Included are Bobby's battle with knee problems that robbed him (and all hockey fans) of a lengthy career and his financial difficulties linked to his association with Alan Eagleson.



4. Just how good was Bobby Orr? Harry Howell said it best during the National Hockey League awards ceremony, where he was presented with the Norris Trophy as the League's top defenseman: "I've been around for fifteen years, and thank God I finally won the trophy. I've got the feeling that for the next twenty years it will be known as the Bobby Orr Trophy." High praise indeed, but consider this: Orr had just completed his rookie season, earning respect almost unheard of at that stage of a career, and he wasn't even the runner-up for the award.
   
   Bobby Orr was regarded as a savior for the Boston Bruins from the very moment he was first seen on the ice by members of the Bruins management, playing in a junior game with children three and four years older than him, dominating the game and controlling the puck better than anyone. He was just an average kid from an average town --- not well off financially and not the greatest of students, though he tried hard --- but on the ice he became a legend.
   
   Stephen Brunt likens Orr to the Greek hero Achilles. The National Hockey League was Troy, and Orr was the most powerful and dynamic hero of the game. And yet, like Achilles, Orr had a flaw. While he had the heart, the determination and the will, it was his knees that ultimately would cut short an exciting and record-setting career. He was the flash of light, the great fire that burned too bright for too short a time. He would win the Norris Trophy the next eight consecutive seasons and lead the League in scoring twice.
   
   As popular and as masterful as he was on the ice, Orr was savagely private about his personal life. He was quiet and reserved, and Brunt shows us that even though he would join his teammates at a party, he often was the first to quietly slip away unnoticed. In putting together this book, Brunt approached Orr about being involved, but he declined and also made a stipulation: Brunt would not be allowed to approach his family.
   
   In some ways that is a loss. Hearing about the storied career from the man who wrote it with his play would have been enlightening and lent a sense of charm and closeness, a way for those who worshiped him to get closer to their hero. Perhaps, however, it was more of a boon that Orr did not wish to be involved. It freed Brunt to seek his own answers and create his own path. The story he chose to pursue could not be shaped and molded, and things he discovered may never have come to light in speaking with the man himself.
   
   One of the fabulous aspects of this book is that Brunt seems to know that a hero, no matter how grand or powerful, is not self-made. Along the way Orr has people who shape his world-view and his life. Those figures are given definition here, particularly Wren Blair, who saw the young boy play in Canada and tried to secure a contract for Boston. "Bucko" McDonald, his junior coach, recognized that Orr was exceptional: a rushing defenseman who was small. McDonald let Orr be who he was and didn't attempt to turn him into something he wasn't. Alan Eagleson was the lawyer who worked with Orr in drafting up a healthy contract in his first season and paved the way for the creation of player agents and sports management groups. However, Eagleson, who would also be the ruin of many a good man by pilfering their retirement funds, ultimately was brought down by Orr and fellow player Carl Brewer. And then there were Orr's parents, who were both encouraging and very protective.
   
   As quickly and beautifully as he came, Orr would be gone. Brunt does an excellent job at revealing him, yet, when all is said and done, there is still so much unknown. The title, SEARCHING FOR BOBBY ORR, is very accurate. Brunt had to search, and could probably keep searching for years. What the author has done, however, is give us an exceptional biography of the greatest hockey player ever to lace up a pair of skates.
   
   --- Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard



5. In the course of researching this book, author Stephen Brunt was not able to talk to Orr or any of his close knit circle of friends and family. As a result, Brunt's account is superficial and, ultimately, disappointing and unsatisfying. Orr has hinted that he might tell his story himself some day but I won't hold my breath. I suspect he will remain a secretive, introverted man, someone who plied his trade for too short a time, then bowed out with dignity. There's really nothing new in SEARCHING FOR BOBBY ORR and, as much as I like and respect Mr. Brunt, he has done little to disspell the mystery surrounding Number 4...and perhaps that's for the best.

5 comments about Rayzor's Edge: Rob Ray's Tough Life on the Ice.

1. We all think of professional athletes as pampered stars who believe that the world revolves around them. Rayzor's Edge shows what it is really like for a kid growing up in a small town in Canada, working his way through junior hockey, dreaming to one day play in the NHL. What I liked most about this book was the honest and open way the authors described the fears and insecurities of Rob Ray, not just as he was on his way to the NHL, but once he got there, as well. From his first day at junior hockey to his last day on the ice as a Buffalo Sabre, authors Ray and Bailey expose the human side of the ups and downs of a professional athlete - what scares them and what drives them - first, as a green rookie putting on a team sweater for the first time and later, as a seasoned veteran. The book is engaging, thoughtful and very well-written and I highly recommend it to all sports fans.



2. This book is great. As far as I can tell, it's the best thing to come out of the Sabres this season. Rob Ray and Budd Bailey have given us a great real life story. This is a book for fans and players. Gene F.



3. As a former Buffalo area resident and Sabres fan who has been somewhat distant from the team for quite awhile, I found a couple of sections of Rob Ray's book particularly interesting. First, he discusses the controversy surrounding star goalie Dominik Hasek's injury during the 1996 - 1997 playoffs. Later in the book, Ray offers some new (to this reader, at least) thoughts regarding the mysterious departure of Buffalo Sabres Coach Ted Nolan. If you are a Sabres and/or Rob Ray fan, you will undoubtedly enjoy this book.



4. Sports superstars write books all the time, often after only one good season. Mostly it's the same story: How I overcame (insert minor setback here) by being blessed with incredible talent to become rich and famous.
   
   Rob Ray's story is a bit different. Ray had to struggle his whole life to make it in hockey. It is refreshing to see a sports biography written by a role player, by someone who watched many of his team's greatest moments from the bench or even in street clothes. And it is also refreshing to read the story of a player who made it by being the ultimate team player, a guy who had to struggle through the minors to make it.
   
   The book's main weakness is the Ray may be too nice a guy. While he would happily deck anyone on the ice, he seems to hesitate to say anything that might offend anyone he played with (with the notable exception of a certain Czech goalie), or even fought against.
   
   Enjoy this book for the story of a player who did his job as best he could, and still can't seem to believe he got to play in the the bigtime.



5. When I found out that Rayzor had the book coming out, I was quick to order it. I'm a life-long Sabres fan, and enjoyed watching him contribute to the team over the years. He was always fun to watch, and a smart player.. (I don't know if there ever was an enforcer better at goading his opponent into a penalty.)
   
   The book left me wanting something different. Rob tells about the history of the Sabres, from his perspective.. He tells some interesting stories, but I was left wanting more. I wanted to know more about the off-the-ice antics; who were the best/worst fighters in the league, and why? How about some stories from the lockeroom? Nights on the town in Buffalo? Overzealous fans?
   
   I must also note that the copy editing in the book was not great. Similar to Keith Jones' book, there are multiple errors in text that should have been caught. (Although there were many more in the Jones book.)

1 comments about Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment Upside Down.

1. Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, is what Donald Trump would call "A Phenom." Frequently mentioned as a potential Vice President for the Republican ticket, she has energy, youth, and principle on her side. Her grass-roots effort to upset the entrenched and corrupt Alaskan political establishment is nothing short of amazing. She is a no-apologies conservative Republican intent on bringing accountability to government. Efforts to label her as a lightweight have backfired as she has out-maneuvered, out-talked, out-flanked, and soundly beaten her political opponents at every turn, much to their dismay that she doesn't play by their self-serving rules. Immensely popular, she is, in short, a breath of fresh Alaskan air blowing from the North.
   
   This biography details Sarah's early life and upbringing and family and covers her early political career up to the time she is elected to the office of Governor. It's an interesting read, almost breathlessly optimistic. For those who savor details of Sarah Palin's life, this is a first step. However, it is painful to say, but though Sarah Palin has proven beyond doubt that she is no lightweight, this book, at less than 150 pages of actual text, is. It lacks any critical depth and leaves wide gaps in background information on the campaigns and issues involved. We learn about government-Big Oil collusion and corruption, but in only a few sentences. The chapter on former governor Frank Murkowski's downfall is a shy two pages long. In many ways the book serves as a pretty good hors d'oeuvre, but we are left starving for the main course, for analysis, critique, and depth of field. One gets the impression it may have been rushed to print in time for the election.
   
   Frankly, I would be happy to support Sarah Palin for Vice President on a McCain/Palin ticket. I think she's up for the job, though Alaskans would be loathe to lose her. But she deserves a more in-depth biography than this happy-talk effort. I still recommend this book. It's all we have, and the color pictures are really good!

3 comments about America's Coach: Life Lessons & Wisdom for Gold Medal Success: A Biographical Journey of the Late Hockey Icon Herb Brooks.

1. Mr. Bernstein did an incredible job of not only showing the talent and skill that Mr. Brooks had building the 1980 Olympic team and taking them to victory but he also was able to show the real Herb Brooks. I say this for in the mid-80s I worked at a hardware store near where Herb lived and on many occasions he'd stop in and pick up supplies or get keys cut and every time he stopped in he'd always be open to chat or sign autographs for as many who would hold out a slip of paper and a pen. A few years after that I was leaving a video store and he asked me how I liked a car I had recently purchased. All of these fond memories came back to me as I read this book, but this time it was almost surreal to think that someone who did so much and accomplished so many things would care enough to do these things for a person working at a counter or walking out of a store. This book put all of these things together and truly celebrated a person who meant so much to so many people of so many backgrounds for so many different reasons. It was a pleasure to read and I would recommend it to anyone, if you're a hockey fan or not, you will love learning more about a man who was a true hero.



2. The biography of Brooks is well-written, but the true value of the book lies in the coaching asides that litter the book. Speeches and quotes from Coach himself make it an extraordinary motivational tool.



3. I really enjoyed this in-depth biography of the late Herb Brooks. The book provided information into the psychology and methods of a mysterious, complex human being who was clearly a master motivator and obsessive in his preparation. it provided wonderful insight into a true coaching legend. I recommend it to any hockey fan.

3 comments about Sidney Crosby: Taking the Game by Storm.

1. You will not enjoy this book unless you are a fan of Hockey! I read this book after about half a season of Hockey and seeing Crosby play. This book is a great way to learn about an up coming star (which you can see through his play). I would recommend this book to anyone that really loves the game of Hockey!



2. If you are a huge hockey fan, with knowledge about players and teams, new and old, throughout Canada and at all age levels, you are the right person for this book. Reading about places, people, and teams that I didn't know anything about was very frustrating and made it hard to keep reading. A good portion of the book was just comparing Gretzky and Crosby. That was interesting, in moderation. I was looking for a book to tell all about Sidney Crosby and his trip to the NHL. This book has that, but it came along with a lot of extra stuff that was unnecessary.



3. OK, any time a new star pops up there is an author wanting to make a quick buck. I knew better than to jump on the first unofficial biography but did anyways. Like any book of this genre, the entire thing comes off as "I talked to someone who talked to someone who once knew Sidney and based on that we can deduce this...". It was clear from the author's account that they stalked the Crosby family for a period of time and despite that effort failed to gain any deep insights from Sidney or his family. This entire book could have been written after reading newspaper clippings and perhaps a 30 minute interview with Sidney. My recommendation - wait until Sidney lives up to the hype (and I suspect he will!) and then read his official biography.

5 comments about The Game.

1. As a hockey fan growing up in the late '60's and early '70's, Ken Dryden was one of my heroes. The Canadiens seemed to always win the Stanley Cup in those years and Dryden was the goalie to watch in the '70's. The Game chronicles the latter stage of his career and provides a great deal of insight into the NHL, the Canadiens and, of course, Dryden himself.
   
   My favorite part of this book is when he takes the time to drill down deeper into the quirky personalities of certain teammates. When you think of the Canadiens of the '70's, players like Guy Lafleur, Larry Robinson, Bob Gainey, Guy Lapointe, Steve Shutt, and of course, coach Scotty Bowman come to mind. Dryden devotes much of The Game to coverage of teammates, coaches and even trainers, all written in the cerebral style he was known for throughout his career.
   
   Any true hockey fan will want to read this book, regardless of how much or little you know about Dryden and Canadiens history. Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the NHL today is where it stands after the 2004-05 lockout. Although Dryden didn't touch on this in The Game, he offered these prescient thoughts towards the end of the book (and his NHL career):
   
   "Expansion and the WHA behind it, it will be a time to turn inward, to put its (the NHL's) unwieldy house in order. Like an aging adolescent having grown too fast, it will get reacquainted with its parts, get them in hand, and do something with them. It will be a time for realism, and stability, for chastened hopes and dreams deferred--except one. Off ice, the whispered word will be "cable." But it will represent a more modest dream this time, and more realizable, if the promised bonanza is only for some. It is time for a deep breath, a pause, a time to return the game to the ice. For that is the real tragedy of the 1970s, and the real opportunity for the 1980s. It is on the ice that its next great challenge lies."
   
   Gee, he could have written much of that in the last 3 years and it would have been just as applicable. The league is on the rebound but the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals, the ultimate hockey championship, are relegated to the Versus network. Ugh. I even had to bite the bullet and sign up for Versus network service yesterday so that I could watch games 1 and 2, featuring my beloved Pittsburgh Penguins against the evil Detroit Red Wings.
   
   How sad is that? The Stanley Cup Finals start out on some third-tier cable network. Maybe it's time to toss Gary Bettman out as NHL commissioner and replace him with someone like Ken Dryden...



2. This is no ordinary sports autobiography. Dryden does not sing his own praises and tell us how he became the greatest goalie of his generation. Instead this is a deeply meditative book in which he shares with the reader his own questions as to the character and meaning of his own career in hockey. He provides in the course of this an inside look at the game, and long interesting descriptions of the people he has known in it, most notably his teammates.
   The book does not really tell a consecutive story. It also leaves out certain things the reader might want to know. I for instance would have liked to have heard more about Dryden's family, his wife and parents, their relation to his success and career. But he pretty much keeps them out of it and focuses on the game.
   His own relation to himself and his success , is I believe , quite admirable. He describes in detail the pleasures and the pains of goalkeeping. He describes too the part this position has in the whole game. I imagine a real hockey fan ( I am not) would be tremendously interested in the inside look he gives at the way players actually think about themselves and what they are doing.
   Dryden is both tremendously intelligent and articulate- a truly outstanding writer.
   Many have said this is one of the best sports books ever written. It is certainly one of the best I have read.



3. When I saw this book I said to myself I will give it a try-- After reading parts about the conversations in the locker rooms between players. I liked his own history about the game when growing up and the teams day to day conversations--going to practice, before certain big games. But he has a nasty annoying knack of disrespecting other players on any page in the book. The first read of the book you think it is just great sense of humor, but afterwards I think about and it is a tremendous disrespect to other professional players on his team. An example includes page 110 "The one original part of his game around which it might be done he seemed anxious to deny." Page 77 "On the one hand he is a good skater and forechecker, capable of playing any of the forward positions, a better-than-average playmaker and penalty-killer;on the other, he is not big,not strong, not tough, often injured, a worse-than-average shooter, and has surprisingly little goal-scoring ability.



4. As a big fan of Les Canadiens who frequently took a weekend and stood in the Forum to watch Dryden and his teammates play, I was expecting a great book. Look at the glowing reviews.
   
   But when I read this, I found it rambling, full of topics not explored. And the characters in the book come across as half-baked.
   
   The Ken Dryden I see in this book is introspective to the point of being morose. He gripes so much about the pressures, the disjointed life he lives. True, his role during the Canadien dynasty was not to lose the game. Of course, when you have guys like Gainey, Lemaire, Robinson, Lapointe, Lafleur, all in front of you, it does take the edge away.
   
   But I got no real feeling as to why he plays, with all the dislikes he has of it. The cameraderie? I am not convinced.
   
   But you get no real feeling for the writer, for his family, or his teammates.
   
   The book takes a bizarre turn 3/4 through on a history lesson, quite interesting but out-of-place. And his whining about the physicality of the game grinds on me.
   
   Dryden got a lot of attention for being a law student. But he has left his law studies behind and you hear nothing of why.
   
   The edition I have has a 20-year afterword. He is the president of the Toronto Maple Leafs now, with relatively little success.
   
   I guess the overall impression of the book was to appreciate parts of it but to wonder why it was written. Dryden comes across as quite introspective, often unwilling to share his thoughts and feelings. No problem with that, but why did he write the book?



5. Having grown up in the Boston area and having been a goaltender myself, I simultaneously despised Dryden for his mastery of our beloved Bruins, and admired him for his unparalleled consistency in a position fraught with inconsistency. In an era when college graduates in the NHL were few and far between, Dryden as a graduate of Cornell and later McGill Law School was a genuine odity. His level of intelligence is unquestioned however, it may have also been in part, what made for something of a "dry" read.

5 comments about Brodeur: Beyond the Crease.

1. A really great book about the hockey career of the best goalie ever to play in the NHL and perhaps the world. Along with introspective looks at the NHL over the last 17 years, this book goes into some very personal and trying times in Martin Brodeur's life, including his ugly and very public divorce and current relationship. A great read and a must have for Devils fans everywhere.



2. Bought this for my son in law and he couldn't put it down, fast friendly service.
   
   Thank you
   Ellen



3. A must read for any Devils or Brodeur fan. A good read for any hockey fan in general. Gives an interesting inside view of the team and league through the eyes of a player over the last few years.



4. A good, but not great account of the best goaltender in hockey today. The ghosted effort to write in the first-person doesn't work. Still a good read for the dedicate hockey fan.



5. If your a Brodeur fan, you'll enjoy the book. It's an easy read. I personally wish that there was more of his "routine" type stuff in the book, but that is just my bias as a hockey player also- wanting to know what he does. It goes into it a bit, but not enough for me! Other than that, it goes into more detail in some places relative to others, so sometimes it's overkill sometimes you want a lot more, but overall, worth it to read.

4 comments about The Goal: Bobby Orr and the Most Famous Shot in Stanley Cup History.

1. This is a picture book entirely about one of the most famous action photos in National Hockey League history -- Bobby Orr scoring the game-winning goal in overtime to top the St. Louis Blues and clinch, for the Boston Bruins, possession of the Stanley Cup for the 1969-70 season.
   
   Each player and/or coach involved in Orr's goal is allowed some space within the book to share their thoughts about the historic moment.
   
   Derek Sanderson (assist), Harry Sinden (Bruins coach) and even Noel Picard (St. Louis defenseman) are among those who contribute.
   
   If you are a Boston Bruins fan, you'll love it. If not, you may be disappointed. There's not much to it.



2. Bobby Orr was the greatest hockey player of all time. I was a little young to see him play during his career (I only had a chance to see a few games towards the end of his career after his knees had failed him) but I've had a chance to see hours of footage from dozens of games in his prime, and I can confidently assert that there was no one as good as he was, ever.
   
   I will certainly grant that Gretzky had the greatest career of all time, putting together great skill and consistent performance for many years. I might even grant that someone like Mario Lemieux may have been endowed with a higher level of innate ability to play hockey. But by the standard of how much impact a player is able to have on a game, how much they are able to dominate the action, and do it all both ways at high speed, no one touches Orr.
   
   Perhaps you've seen adult amateur league games where some team will bring in a ringer, a guy who's played college or major junior hockey, who so clearly outplays everyone on the ice that people start getting angry? People resent someone so dominant, and do all they can to contain them, ususally ineffectively. Here's the connection: Bobby Orr was like a ringer in the NHL. It is not hype - take the time to watch some game footage (beyond just highlights, because though Orr has astounding highlights, they don't tell the whole story) and you will become a believer.
   
   This book is brief, and thin on content, but the quotes and images contained within tell a lot about how respected and admired Orr was (and is) by teammates, opponents, coaches, and writers. I'd give the book a higher rating if it was more substantial, but what is there is good, and a worthy aquisition for hockey fans.



3. "The Goal" is a great book that brings back the memories and magic that culminated in one of hockey's greatest moments. Some would argue that this is the greatest moment ever in the sport. Orr's miracle season created a new era in hockey. Bobby Orr ran the defense and the offense for the Boston Bruins. Harry Sinden recalls some wonderful inside details in this polaroid style flashback. What makes this book special are all the quotes by other players who were in awe of Orr. Bobby not only made for one of the greatest pictures in sports, he also electrified and transformed a city. Orr dominated both ends of the ice, and he could body check, fight and get very emotional. Gretzky was a great stat accumulator and an excellent passer and puck handler. I would say that Bobby Orr could pass, skate and check equal to or better than Wayne Gretzky. Orr's slapshot was harder. His body took a pounding, whereas nobody laid a finger on the great one. Bobby would often block shots (sans helmet) and then break up ice to either set goals up or score them himself. Gretzky was rarely found playing any kind of defense. Winner, Orr. This book will further solidify the legend, and make the memories, stories and smiles all as fresh as when it all happened. Next year will mark the 25th anniversary of the greatest goal in hockey. It's safe to say it won't happen like that ever again.



4. A must have for any Bobby Orr or Boston Bruins fan. The greatest goal by the greatest hockey player ever.
   Anyone saying "what's his name" is a better hockey player is too young to have seen Orr play. Statistics aren't everything - they are secondary to actual on the ice ability. Yeah, the G man was great. But Orr was in a league of his own. I guarantee you if there were two teams, one made up of six Bobby's and one made up of six Gretsky's, Gretsky would never touch the puck.
   Never again will you see a player that good. Never.

5 comments about So You Want to Play in the NHL : A Guide for Young Players.

1. I actually bought this book from the Dan Bylsma WEB site. THe book was sent autographed to my son for this past Christmas. Most of the content is directed toward kids interested in playing hockey and who have questions from how do I do a certain drill to what if my parents are embarrasing me. My 8 year old enjoyed the book very much and continues to read it again and again. I still pick it up as well. If you haven't read the first book "So Your Son Want's to Play in the NHL", another great read.



2. After receiving the book, I read it throughout the day as opportunity presented itself. I hated to put it down when I had other stuff to do. I felt like I was being forced to leave the game before it was over. I was enchanted by the book as if I'd never read it before, thrilled to play a role by helping with it and to be mentioned in this wonderful contribution to amateur hockey. As I read it, I thought about my roles as a father of a young player, as a coach, and as a coaching educator for USA Hockey. Two overwhelming thoughts came to mind as I read the printed version of the book. The truth conveyed by the material and the fact that at times I fall short of the goals conveyed by that truth from a child's perspective. Even though I speak or write about and teach many of these things quite often, I found myself addressing my mistakes in each of my roles as I read the book. But, even as I found myself addressing my mistakes, I was simultaneously using the ideas in the book to reaffirm many of my beliefs or to assimilate these ideas to address issues from a different perspective. And as stated in the book, perseverance is a key to success. Taking responsibility is a key to success. Learning from mistakes or failure is what truly makes you better. "So You Want To Play In The NHL" has given me additional impetus in my goal to constantly strive to improve as a father, a coach and a coaching educator. Thank you for taking the time to inspire even us older hockey guys with a book written for kids, because really, we are all still kids at heart! By addressing the issues from a kid's perspective for kids, I believe you have succeeded in reaching adults as well. The heart of this old kid is much better as a result of the time and effort you have taken to share your thoughts with the hockey world. This new book, "So You Want To Play In The NHL", for kids, and the existing book for adults, "So Your Son Wants To Play In The NHL", set the standards by which all of us in the sporting world should continually strive to achieve. Cordially, Terry Vayda USA Hockey Associate Coach-In-Chief (Southeast District--Florida)



3. As a coach and someone who knows the personal dedication it takes to achieve life's goals, this book confirms everything I have done in my life and teach to the players on my team. This book is more than a book about hockey. It spells out a recipe for success in life, in and out of hockey(or any team sport for that matter). Every page has something that will inspire you and remind you what is important in life. I am making this book required reading for my team because it confirms everything I have ever said in the locker room and to parents. While this is one man's journey through life to the NHL, the story is one shared by most people in the struggle to define who they are as the grow up and to achieve the goals that they want.



4. As the father of a 9-year-old, I am delighted that my son has selected Dan Bylsma as one of his role models. Dan (Anaheim Mighty Ducks of the National Hockey League), and his dad's most recent collaborative literary achievement, "So You Want to Play in the NHL" is an honest and straight-forward discussion about Dan's uncompromised determination to become a professional hockey player, is set against a backdrop of objectivity and seemingly insurmountable odds. The book embodies a wonderful and powerful message, that hardword and determination are the cornerstones of personal, as well as professional success. I highly recommend this book to all aspiring young athletes, their coaches, and parents.



5. As the father of a 9 year old son, I am proud that my child has selected Dan Bylsma as one of his role models. Dan and his father's latest collaborative literary achivement is an honest and straightforward study of the role of athletics in a young persons life. The fire and passion of competitive sports at the highest level, measured against a backdrop of incalculable odds of achieving professional success is difficult, if not seemingly impossible to reconcile. Nonetheless, Bylsma's book "So you want to play in the NHL" deserves commendation for having done just that. I strongly recommend this book to any parent or child who participates in sports and who is fortunate to have the courage to dream.

No comments about Hockey Stars (High Interest Books).