I guess since Christmas music is on the radio before Thanksgiving is even here, I should tell you what I am asking MOL to get me for Christmas. She wants a cocktail ring, which I guess is a ring for her right hand? I may go Homer Simpson on her and get her an onion ring. I on the other hand would like a copy of Howard Shapiro’s great new hockey book, Hockey Player for Life.
The story is of an AA player in Canada that can’t miss as the next big thing in the pro game. Apparently he does in fact miss, and the story is that of him reflecting on his past experiences and him realizing he is a Hockey Player for Life. A lot of pro teams have already bought the book, including the Buffalo Sabres, and several other NHL teams as well as several in the AHL, ECHL, and Major Junior ranks. Keith Primeau wrote the forward for the book, as well as John Buccigross provided some quotes for the back cover.
I know growing up playing on the pond and then playing organized hockey for years and years, I have made some fantastic friends, and some of my best memories are hockey related. The love of the game was passed on to me from my father, and should I have any kids, I would like to pass on hockey to them as well. I look back on all the good times, and bad I have had in the 30 years I have been a hockey fan and player (not so much a player in the last few) and I am grateful to everyone that helped me along the way. Mom and dad getting up at zero dark thirty to take me to one rink, and my brother to another, only to cross paths later in the day as we were playing game two, and sometimes three at the same rink. Coaches that gave me encouragement along the way, and tried to harness my sometimes over exuberance while on the ice, family and friends that encouraged me to keep playing after a big loss. My hockey memories stick out for me above else, because I too see myself as a Hockey Player for Life. I will be directing MOL to the links below to buy the book, and check out the really cool YouTube video I posted. Mr. Shapiro has done a great job with this book, and I am looking forward to a stroll down memory lane with Hockey Player for Life.