Review of "Memoir of a Hockey Nobody"

When the author of this book wrote to me offering the book for a review, he added some humor in the message.  After saying yes to his request, I received the book and his signature on the title page included more humor as he was worried that I, an American, would need to have the book translated as it was written in Canadian.  This was a theme throughout the book - the humor along with the great storytelling make this book a great read.  Here is my review of "Memoir of a Hockey Nobody"

Title/Author:

“Memoir of a Hockey Nobody: They Said I Couldn't Make the NHL So I Went Out and Proved Them Right" by Jerry Hack

Tags:

Ice Hockey, professional, memoir, humor

Publish date:

March 24, 2020

Length:

230 pages

Rating: to

5 of 5 stars (outstanding)

Review:

Most sports memoirs are written by athletes who have achieved great success in their sports career, have very interesting stories to share along the way, and then somehow tie this all in with what has happened in their lives that makes for an ending that often sounds like one from a storybook.  This hockey memoir by Jerry Hack has only the interesting stories from this list. 

However, one should not let that fact deter him or her from reading this book as not only is it filled with great and humorous stories, it is certainly an "everyman" story as Hack did not become an NHL player, was not blessed with superior skills in an early age and did not have a lot of playing time as a child or teenager.  He ended becoming a goalie because that was a position in which anyone who would be willing to be in front of the goal and block shots would be a goalie.

Hack tells his story in a funny, self-deprecating manner that is easily read and absorbed.  He states at the very beginning that he is not a writer and this was his first attempt at crafting a book.  This is in line with his hockey story as he didn't learn to skate until his teenage years (he played street hockey before this), he had to use second hand equipment and when he finally had some success in the amateur and senior leagues in which he played, many times he was either footing the bill, collecting unemployment so he could chase his dream or both.  His determination and stubbornness (it is quite entertaining to read about his phone exchanges with coaches and managers who didn't want to give him the time of day) are what led him to his hockey success as much as his talent.

Hack was a native of Vancouver and his stories take him all over western Canada, with a good bulk of the time in Saskatchewan.  He also played for teams in the Yukon territory and California.  Along every stop, along with the humor, it is easy to tell that Hack was enjoying himself.  He doesn't brag about it, dismiss the skills he did have, nor does he tear down other goalies against which he was competing.  He just writes his story in a manner in which the reader will think Hack is sitting in the same room, beer in hand, just passing the time by storytelling. If nothing else, for that reason alone, any reader who likes hockey, or just enjoys a good personal adventure, should pick up this book and experience the life of a "hockey nobody."

I wish to thank Mr. Hack for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

                               

Book Format Read:

Paperback

Buying Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Memoir-Hockey-Nobody-couldnt-proved/dp/0228828023/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=