Everyday Hockey Heroes

INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER An inspiring and updated 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, coaches, and fans 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. Read about players who overcame catastrophic injury to keep playing the game they love, or the renowned Canadian neurosurgeon leading the charge to protect athletes from the dangers of brain trauma and concussion. From hockey commentators who broke down barriers to be on air to the youth hockey coach welcoming Syrian boys and girls to Canada through 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. A must-read for every hockey fan.

INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER From TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie comes a new collection of hockey stories about the everyday heroes from across the game who are defying the odds and championing the next generation of hockey—on and off the ice. 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 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.

From hockey insider Jim Lang comes a new volume in the nationally bestselling series of uplifting hockey stories about the everyday heroes who are breaking down barriers and shaping the future of a game they love. In this heartfelt collection of personal hockey stories, sports broadcaster and author Jim Lang brings together the remarkable voices of hockey players, coaches, families, and fans who have overcome adversity and are championing the game they love—on and off the ice. Read about former Humboldt Broncos defenceman Logan Boulet, whose selfless organ donation helped six Canadians and motivated almost 150,000 people to register as donors in the following weeks. Meet players like Kelly Serbu, who didn’t let his visual impairment stop him from playing hockey and is now raising awareness and funds for blind hockey programs, or Kim McCullough, who founded Total Female Hockey to empower other aspiring female players. Follow players and coaches of colour such as Jim Paek and Jason Payne who are helping to break down barriers, and the hockey parents who are working to make the game more accessible. These are the everyday heroes who are defying the odds and inspiring change. Featuring extraordinary stories of tireless advocates and unbelievable successes, Everyday Hockey Heroes, Volume III is a celebration of the great game of hockey and the heroes—sung and unsung—found on rinks and in arenas across the country.

A left-winger on the Transcona Sharks adjusts to a new best friend and his mom's boyfriend.

Former NHL star Bryan Berard shares the inspiring story of his life on and off the ice—from finding early success in the league and suffering a life-changing eye injury to discovering the inner strength to overcome whatever life threw at him and continue to play the game he loved. “My career is over,” I said. “I’m never going to play in the NHL again.” My mom turned to me, a stern look on her face. “‘Never’ does not exist in our family’s vocabulary.” On March 11, 2000, Bryan Berard’s life changed forever. One moment, he was a young hockey star, a former first overall pick and Olympian who had a long, bright career ahead of him. The next, he was writhing on the ice, his eye slashed by a wayward stick. The doctors feared Bryan might lose his eye. It seemed certain that he would never play hockey again. But ever since his childhood, Bryan had refused to believe that anything was impossible. With the support of his family behind him and his own inner determination driving him forward, Bryan not only recovered, but made a triumphant return to the NHL just two years after his injury. It seemed that the worst was behind him. But there were storm clouds on the horizon. Injuries continued to plague him throughout the rest of his career, which saw him move from North America to Russia to continue to play the game he loved. Reports of steroid use cast a shadow over his accomplishments. And then, just as he was about to retire, Berard learned that his long-time financial adviser had defrauded him, several other hockey stars, and others out of millions of dollars in life savings. Despite every setback, though, Berard refused to give up. He nearly lost an eye, but he never lost sight of what was most important in his life. Funny, honest, and inspiring, Berard’s memoir is a tribute to the resilience and perseverance of the human spirit.

Profiles of twenty-four hockey stars including goalies, scoring leaders, and defensemen.

Never-before-told stories of wild celebrations and heartfelt moments with the Stanley Cup, in the words of the champions themselves, including Sidney Crosby, Brendan Shanahan, Larry Robinson, and Mike Modano. There is no trophy like the Stanley Cup. It has the names of every champion who’s won it engraved on its shining sides. And when it is won, it is presented first to the players, who have fought so hard to raise it above their heads. The Cup is special in another way, too. Every summer, it goes on a cross-continent tour (sometimes even overseas), visiting every player, coach, and team member who won it that year. Everyone gets their day with the Cup, chaperoned by one of the ever-watchful Keepers of the Cup from the Hockey Hall of Fame to make sure it doesn’t get into too much trouble. The Cup has been everywhere, from the bottom of a pool at a rock star’s mansion to a ride through the sky above Montreal in a helicopter flown by none other than hockey legend Guy Lafleur. It has served beer and champagne, breakfast cereal for kids, popcorn, and hot dogs. It brings joy to players and fans and inspires awe everywhere it goes. Veteran sportscaster and bestselling author Jim Lang has interviewed more than thirty players and coaches, and a couple of Keepers of the Cup, to collect these behind-the-scenes stories of the Stanley Cup’s adventures. Each one is special, but they all share strong themes of family and friends, community, gratitude, and the feeling that the greatest achievements in life are best celebrated with others.