Hockey Dad by Bob McKenzie
TSN's Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie first book is now available in bookstores and online
McKenzie is best known as TSN's resident hockey expert, while many of us remember him in his former incarnation as editor in chief of The Hockey News. One thing is for sure - McKenzie knows the NHL inside and out.
But his first book is not about the NHL or even life on television or at THN. McKenzie gets downright personal in Hockey Dad: True Confessions From a (Crazy) Hockey Parent.
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You see McKenzie's oldest son, Michael, is now playing in US college while his other son, Shawn, was forced out of the game at age 14 due to concussions. McKenzie may be a TV and print personality, but first and foremost he is a father, and even a hockey coach.
McKenzie's book is said to be an open, candid and highly personal look at the good and the bad of hockey, specifically at the youth level. Though first hand experience he explores this world from a unique vantage point. He pokes fun at himself along the way.
Here's what the media kit says about the book:
"While Michael has attempted to, and continues to try to, scale the heights within hockey, Shawn has, at times, had to navigate the depths. Their deeply personal stories, and how their father dealt with them (sometimes well, sometimes not so well), are a compelling look into the world of minor hockey—a major Canadian passion.
"From hysterically funny anecdotes, to debates on numerous hockey issues, praise and criticism for the system, and personal reflections on the game, this book is an insightful, irreverent, and moving look at a slice of hockey culture that is not so much a recreation as it is a way of life."
I have not yet had the chance to go through the book. I'll get to with more in the coming weeks.
4 comments:
I thought the book was amazing!! It made me laugh and it made me cry. Very well written. A page turner for hockey fans who wondered what playing at the rep level can be like and what to expect.
Pretty solid ass book. Was an easy to read book for me especially because I had a brother involved with the quinte 86's. He was the d man mentioned that bowed to the whitby fans after scoring. Bob also did not hold up his end of the bargain when Quinte beat out Whitby in the playoffs one year. He was supposed to mention him on tsn if Quinte won and failed to do that.
I'm a hockey Mom whose son is entering the major midget realm this year. I just finished the book today and I thoroughly enjoyed it and getting to know the McKenzie family in the course of the read. Bob is so right about the experience of minor hockey....the friendships made, the trials/tribulations and yes, even the politics. I enrolled my son in hockey when he was 5 years old, shortly after his father died. I did it to ensure he'd stay off the streets when he was a teenager. He turns 15 in a few days and has grown into a wonderful young man. I give minor hockey and it's coaches, parent group and peer group lots of credit for the mentoring. Bob's story and his love and committment to his wife and boys is a wonderful tale that emphasizes there are more positives than negatives in the minor hockey world. It's all about the memories !
I just read the book and it was a good read. Good guy and good family. However, I cant help but gleam that his boys enjoyed some serious advantages from Bob's hockey connections that other boys do not. In addition, Bob was not only a hockey parent but for the most part a hockey coach. As a hockey parent you are generally only looking for fairness for your boy and hockey coaches and parents with a hockey resume generally afford for their boys tremendous advantages. A more interesting book would be about the journey a hockey dad has with a talented kid with no politics clout. I am sure others can relate to this.
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