Been in a bit of a reading slump lately, but this book certainly helped me break out of it. Justin Davis’s Breaking the Ice is a sharp, honest look at hockey culture from people who’ve lived every corner of it. He blends tough truths with genuinely moving stories, showing how the sport can evolve without losing what makes it great. If you care about hockey’s future, this one’s worth your time.
Title/Author:
“Breaking the Ice: Seven Lives, One Game, and the Fight For
the Game of Hockey” by Justin Davis
Rating:
4 of 5 stars (very good)
Review:
In "Breaking the Ice," former
professional hockey player Justin Davis moves beyond the stark
exposures of his memoir, Conflicted Scars, to deliver a complex,
deeply necessary evaluation of hockey culture. Published by ECW Press, the
book argues that the sport isn't entirely broken, but it is as messy and
complicated as real life. Rather than simply diagnosing the problems, Davis
gathers a diverse choir of voices—enforcers, agents, coaches, and
journalists—to build a roadmap for how the game can evolve.
What makes this book stand out is its incredible balance of
heavy, systemic critiques and intimate, human stories. Two perspectives in
particular anchor the narrative's emotional weight. The contrasting insights
from Zenon Konopka and Jon “Nasty” Mirasty on
the punishing physical toll of the game offer an eye-opening look at the life
of hockey's toughest players. It is a relief to read how both Mirasty and Konopka were
able to carve out meaningful paths forward after their playing days—a stark,
heartbreaking contrast to fellow enforcers from that era like Derek
Boogaard, Rick Rypien, and Wade Belak, whose
battles with head trauma and addiction led to such early, tragic graves.
Equally compelling is the inclusion of Steffany Hanlen, the first
female power skating and strength coach in the NHL, whose perspective on youth
sports provides invaluable, grounded advice for minor hockey parents navigating
today's system.
Crucially, Davis doesn't shy away from the institutional
changes required to protect the sport's future. The book rightly emphasizes the
vital role of investigative journalism, showcasing figures like Rick
Westhead and super-agent Allan Walsh as crucial agents of
change. Like the author, I believe Westhead’s rigorous investigative work is
absolutely essential for the future of the game. Combined with insights from
concussion expert Chris Nowinski and the deeply moving account from Andrew
Long—who admirably found the grace to forgive the opponent responsible for his
life-altering injury—the book balances urgent warnings with profound moments of
human grace.
"Breaking the Ice" is an essential read for anyone
invested in the sport. It honors the game’s history while bravely imagining
what it might—and should—become.
I wish to thank ECW Press for providing an advance
copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
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