Book Review: Hockey Dad by Bob McKenzie

I don't know why I even bothered reading Bob McKenzie's Hockey Dad: True Confessions of a (Crazy?) Hockey Parent: I've heard it all before. Stories about crazy parents? Yeah, I've heard those -- while out of town on a tournament, my dad paid a bunch of kids 25 cents each if they would pound on the glass and cheer when my brother's team hit the ice. Tales of fiercely competitive 12 year olds? Pfft, that's nothing - I was splitting goaltending on a peewee team and the other keeper threatened to cut off my legs if I didn't tell the coach I was too sick to start the tournament (for the record, I called his bluff and started). Cautionary tales about concussions? My brother's had more than he can count - come to think of it, his inability to count these may be attributed to his concussions.

Despite having some wild hockey stories of my own, it's always good to be able to hear a few more. McKenzie (of TSN Hockey Insider fame) has some doozies - perhaps the most popular of which is when he called two stick measurements during an atoms game - but there's more than just hockey-related shenanigans to be found here. Underlying the ridiculous tales of hockey parents (or players) gone awry is a very deep passion for the game at all levels, most notably minor hockey. This isn't Bob bragging about his connections or his kids' hockey skills (he constantly brings up his oldest son Mike's less than stellar skating), this is Bob showing his vast array of experiences with minor hockey, and trying to help future hockey parents from making the same mistakes he has made or witnessed.

If you're looking for a close look at what it's like to be have a Blackberry loaded with phone numbers of hockey players, scouts, agents, and GMs, you'll have to hope Bob puts out another book, because this one doesn't cover that. However, if you want an entertaining, funny, and honest book about minor league hockey and the people within it, you're unlikely to find a better one than Hockey Dad. Highly recommended for those who have been through the experience, or those who have a kid that is going through it right now. I bought this copy for my father, a man who has seen it all in minor hockey, and will undoubtedly love every page.