Book ~ "Everyday Hockey Heroes, Volume II: More Inspiring Stories About Our Great Game" (2020) Bob McKenzie and Jim Lang

From Goodreads ~ In this uplifting and entertaining volume of stories, Canadian broadcasters Bob McKenzie and Jim Lang bring together hockey players, coaches and refs, as well as those behind the bench - the parents, scouts, analysts, and agents - to tell us, in their own voices, why they love the game and how they’re shaping its future.

Meet Dallas Stars’ winger Andrew Cogliano, who captivated the hockey world by playing 830 consecutive games, despite various injuries, and hear how hockey and his parents instilled in him the strong work ethic that made his streak possible. Learn about how Jeremy Rupke found his passion and created the popular website, How To Hockey, to help young hockey hopefuls who might not have money for professional lessons develop their on-ice skills and give them the confidence to achieve their dreams off the ice. Read about players like Jack Jablonski, who didn’t let a life-changing spinal cord injury at age sixteen stop him from being a part of the game, and is now using his experience to raise awareness and funds for spinal cord injury research. From LGBTQ players like Jessica Platt who are breaking down barriers to the women such as Danièle Sauvageau who are breaking glass ceilings as coaches, refs, agents, and analysts, these are the everyday heroes who are using hockey to inspire change.

Featuring incredible stories of comebacks, milestones, and friendship, "Everyday Hockey Heroes, Volume II" highlights the very best of hockey: the power it has to unite us to be the best we can be - for ourselves and for others. 

I'm not a big fan of hockey but I do like reading stories about real people and that's why this book caught my eye.

This book is a collection of stories about people connected to hockey and some are Canadian ... hockey players, wannabe hockey players, a gay hockey player, a trans hockey player, scouts, referees, statisticians, agents and more.

Though I'd never heard of anyone discussed in this book, I found the stories inspirational.  I liked the writing style and found there was just enough enough information.  Social media accounts were listed after the stories and I sometimes checked out the Instagram accounts.

Hockey fans will enjoy this book.  Non-fans (like me) will also like this book and it deals with real people.

Book ~ "Everyday Hockey Heroes: Inspiring Stories On and Off the Ice" (2018) Bob McKenzie and Jim Lang

From Goodreads ~ An inspiring volume of stories about Canada’s most beloved sport - hockey - and the everyday heroes who embody the spirit of the game and help shape its future, from the pros who compete in NHL arenas to the dreamers and fans who play on backyard rinks.

What does hockey look like today in Canada? Who is changing the game? Canadian broadcasters Bob McKenzie and Jim Lang bring together players, from youth hockey to the NHL, and the people who support them to show us what hockey means to them.

Meet Philadelphia Flyer Wayne Simmonds and Paralympian gold medalist Greg Westlake, who wouldn’t be at the top of their sport without the never-ending support of their families and communities. See how they’re giving back to show young hockey hopefuls that anything is possible. Read about players like Ben Fanelli, who overcame catastrophic injury to keep playing the game he loved and is using his story as a platform to help others, or the renowned Canadian neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Tator, who is leading the charge to protect athletes from the dangers of brain trauma and concussion. From hockey commentators Andi Petrillo and Harnarayan Singh, who broke down barriers to be on air, to Karina Potvin, the youth hockey coach welcoming Syrian boys and girls to Canada by introducing them to our national pastime, these are the stories of everyday hockey heroes - those who defy the odds, advocate for inclusion, and champion the next generation of hockey.

From small-town rinks to big city arenas across the country, this collection celebrates everyone who loves our great game. Heartwarming and entertaining, "Everyday Hockey Heroes" is a must-read for every hockey fan. 

I'm not a big fan of hockey (I don't follow it but I go to the occasional game) but I do like reading stories about real people and that's why this book caught my eye.

This book is a collection of stories about people connected to hockey and most are Canadians ... players, reporters, coaches, doctors and referees.

The stories include:

• Ben Fanelli, a player who had an on-ice head injury and ended up starting a foundation to help empower others with similar injuries
• Craig Cunningham, a player who suffered an acute cardiac event moments before the opening face-off in a game and ended up having to have his leg amputated (he too established a foundation)
• Hilary Knight, a female hockey player on Team USA who took a stand and demanded the equal rights afforded the male players
• Harnarayan Singh, an East Indian hockey fan who fulfilled his dream of broadcasting and hosting Hockey Night Punjabi
• Brock McGillis, the first professional hockey player to openly come out as gay
• Kevin Brown, a referee whose throat was cut during a fight between two hockey players in a game, which caused a stroke

Though I'd never heard of anyone discussed in this book, I found the stories inspirational.  I liked the writing style and found there was just enough enough information.  After I read a story, I sometimes Googled the person to find out more information and see where they are today.

Hockey fans will enjoy this book.  Non-fans (like me) will also like this book and it deals with real people.

Book ~ "Shift Work" (2015) Tie Domi and Jim Lang

From Goodreads ~ From hockey’s most prolific fighter comes a sports memoir unlike any other - passionate, funny, and candid, "Shift Work" chronicles Domi’s sixteen tumultuous seasons in the NHL.

Making it through a single fight as an enforcer in the NHL is a sign of toughness. Making it through 333 of them is a mark of greatness. Whether it was on the ice or off it, Tie Domi was driven to be the best at his job and was gifted with an extraordinary ability to withstand pain. He made a career out of protecting the people around him and became known as someone who would stand up for the people who needed it most.

Raised by immigrant parents in Belle River, ON, Domi found success from an early age on the field and the rink. A gifted athlete in whatever sport he played, Tie eventually focused his sights on hockey. As he moved up the junior ranks, he made a name for himself as a player who was always ready to take on anyone who dared to cross his teammates.

Tie’s reputation followed him into the NHL, and it wasn’t long before he ranked among the game’s most feared - and fearless - enforcers. From New York to Winnipeg to Toronto, Tie quickly became a fan favourite in whatever city he played. As he went about working his name into the record books, Tie surrounded himself with people from every walk of life, learning from each one as he evolved into a respected leader who was never afraid to tell it like it was.

In "Shift Work", Tie recounts the ups and downs of his life on and off the ice, showing what he has learned and how he has grown as both a player and a person. He offers insight into the most memorable points of his career, sharing his successes and mistakes with unparalleled honesty. Shift Work shows Tie Domi as he is - a devoted father and friend, a valued and loyal team player, a magnetic personality, and an athlete of immense skill and courage.

I'm not a big fan of hockey but I like reading bios and thought reading Tie Domi's story would be interesting.

Tie Domi is a retired Canadian professional hockey player.  Known for his role as an enforcer, he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets over a sixteen-year NHL career. He has more penalty minutes than any other player in the history of the Maple Leafs and third overall in penalty minutes in NHL history.

In the book, Domi gives a high level description about his life, from his beginnings as the son of Albanian immigrants who moved to Canada and settled outside of Windsor.  He was very good in sports and eventually focused on hockey.  He spent most of his years in the NHL as a player of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

My favourite chapter was chapter 11, in which he talks about how important it is to treat people well, regardless of who they are or what their job is.

I enjoyed the writing style.  Obviously there is a lot about hockey and his interactions with other players in this book but I didn't find it boring even though I'm not not a big hockey fan.  You'll especially enjoy this book if you are a hockey fan.