Skip to main content

Blue Ice and Other Stories From The Rink by Frank Ewert

Hockey books tend to be correctly stereotyped as formulaic pieces of non-fiction. There is a dearth of creative, fun, hockey literature.

Here to help fill that void is new author Frank Ewert. He's compiled a collection of entertaining short stories in his first book Blue Ice: And Other Stories from the Rink.

The book is pretty thin. It is just 82 small pages, with just six simple stories. But also contained in this small volume is promise. Promise of a good young writer who I am confident we will hear from again. I suspect he will likely branch out from hockey, though he has found some high praise already from the hockey world.

"Frank Ewert not only has a fine feel for the game and it's wacky characters, he has a nice, laid-back storytelling style with a sense of humour," Roy MacGregor is quoted saying on the back of the book. MacGregor of course is one of hockey's most prolific writers, finding great success in the juvenile fiction genre with The Screech Owls series and The Last Season.

The book opens with my favorite story, The Protector. It is a first person account of a junior player who's job is to fight so that team's star/jerk does not have to. It is an interesting exploration of the complex relationships every team must handle.

Then we move on to the fun story of The Canadian. The Canadian's main character is a child who is actually a dual Canada/American citizen. But the kid grows up in Canada and loves hockey, so he identifies himself as blindly Canadian, even in his cherished with his grandfather back in New York.

Taking The Man is a hilarious chapter about a physical in a no contact league that has a serious enemy - the referee. Completely helpless to the referee's calls, the tough guy takes back control in a most unusual way.

Blue Ice is a story more about a girl with red hair. Hockey teaches our love-struck hero a little bit about life, love and girls.

A Breakaway is quick chapter, as quick as, well, a breakaway. I'm not sure if that was what the author was attempting to do, either way great job.

The last story is The Cup, the Stanley Cup of course. Three Calgary Flames fans are determined to steal the Stanley Cup from the victorious Tampa Bay Lightning and bring it home to Canada. They get so close they can touch it, but somehow the Cup contently calms them.

The book is beautifully published by Canon Press. Yet it is a curious design in that it the text seems so geared towards juvenile readers. A quick glace at the book does not really suggest that.

The book is thin and simplistic, but more importantly it is fun. It is definitely worth a flip through.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Free Patrick Roy Books

Wiley is giving away two copies of Patrick Roy: Winning, Nothing Else . This offer is exclusive to readers of HockeyBookReviews.com ! All you have to do is email me the names of three other 2008 Wiley hockey book releases. Here's a helping hint - there are currently 5 2008 Wiley titles reviewed at HockeyBookReviews.com . It's just that easy! Then email your answers to hockeybookcontest@hotmail.com . As always, those with the correct answers are put into a draw, with two lucky winners being selected randomly. One entry per person. Contest is open to North American mailing addresses only. Winners will be announced on October 15th .

Slap Shot Original by Dave Hanson with Ross Bernstein

Many think the 1970s cult classic movie Slap Shot is as synonymous with hockey as Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe and hockey fights. It is mandatory viewing for any hockey fan. And many fans have, since, believe it or not, Slap Shot is the second most rented movie ever. Slap Shot looked at the rough and tumble world of minor league hockey in unforgettable fashion, often using an explosive cocktail of glorified violence and crazy humour. The adventures and hijinks of the Charlestown Chiefs has spun off two sequels, Breaking the Ice in 2002, and Slap Shot 3: The Junior League , just released directly to DVD. The original Slap Shot starred none other than the late Paul Newman as the foul-mouthed coach, but the stars of the show became The Hanson Brothers. The lovable, entertaining, violent, and bespectacled Hansons were loosely based on three actual hockey playing brothers - Steve, Jeff and Jack Carlson. Jeff and Steve actually play Jeff and Steve Hanson in the movie. Jack Carlson could n...

Net Worth: Exploding The Myths of Pro Hockey

Net Worth delves deep into the intricate web of professional hockey, dissecting its myths, realities, and the complex interplay of economics, politics, and culture that shape the sport. Written by Allison Cruise and David Griffith, the book offers a comprehensive exploration that is as enlightening as it is engaging. From the outset, Cruise and Griffith shatter the romanticized notions surrounding professional hockey, peeling back the layers to reveal the stark realities beneath the glitz and glamour of the sport. Drawing on extensive research and insider insights, the authors confront prevalent myths head-on, challenging readers to reconsider their perceptions of what truly defines success and worth in the hockey world. One of the book's strengths lies in its meticulous examination of the economic forces driving professional hockey. Cruise and Griffith provide a nuanced analysis of the financial dynamics at play, exploring the intricate balance between player salaries,...