Andrew K. (kuligowskiandrewt) -
Bob McKenzie is often ranked as one of if not the best of the modern day hockey writers. His book, "Hockey Confidential", reflects that. It is not a traditional hockey book, as the stories it contains are not cookie cutter player biographies or team histories. They look at the game and its participants from other angles.
For example, the author interviews rising star John Tavares, along with his uncle, lacrosse superstar John Tavares. The two compare and contrast their backgrounds and their chosen sports, while looking at their careers from opposite ends of their respective duration. Another chapter features an interview with Tragically Hip's lead singer, Gord Downie; Downie (who subsequently revealed he suffers from a terminal brain cancer) represents not just a musical artist who has been known to reference hockey in his works, BUT is simply Every Fan who circumstance allowed to mingle with his hockey heroes as an equal.
The most intense, longest, and perhaps controversial chapter deals with Sheldon Keefe. Keefe is currently a coach, but began his professional life under the thrall of controversial agent / Svengali / David Frost. Frost's most famous client, Mike Danton, went to jail for conspiring to kill him Keefe discusses his relationship with both men. AND, most informatively, discusses how his background provided him with the experiences to help other young players avoid such career and life pitfalls.
If you want to read a traditiional sports biography, or collection of anecdotes, you may not enjoy this work. However, I found this to be one of the most well-written hockey books I've EVER read and I've read hundreds since I picked up Johnny Bucyk's autobiography in the 1970s. I definitely recommend giving "Hockey Confidential" a read.
RATING: 5 stars..
For example, the author interviews rising star John Tavares, along with his uncle, lacrosse superstar John Tavares. The two compare and contrast their backgrounds and their chosen sports, while looking at their careers from opposite ends of their respective duration. Another chapter features an interview with Tragically Hip's lead singer, Gord Downie; Downie (who subsequently revealed he suffers from a terminal brain cancer) represents not just a musical artist who has been known to reference hockey in his works, BUT is simply Every Fan who circumstance allowed to mingle with his hockey heroes as an equal.
The most intense, longest, and perhaps controversial chapter deals with Sheldon Keefe. Keefe is currently a coach, but began his professional life under the thrall of controversial agent / Svengali / David Frost. Frost's most famous client, Mike Danton, went to jail for conspiring to kill him Keefe discusses his relationship with both men. AND, most informatively, discusses how his background provided him with the experiences to help other young players avoid such career and life pitfalls.
If you want to read a traditiional sports biography, or collection of anecdotes, you may not enjoy this work. However, I found this to be one of the most well-written hockey books I've EVER read and I've read hundreds since I picked up Johnny Bucyk's autobiography in the 1970s. I definitely recommend giving "Hockey Confidential" a read.
RATING: 5 stars..
