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We're Not Here for the Hockey: A Guide to Raising a Competitive Athlete Without Going Nucking Futs
Congratulations! You've traded in your weekends for endless hours at the rink and your bank account for expensive gear and tournament fees. Whether you're a seasoned hockey parent or a newbie just starting, this book covers all the quirks and idiosyncrasies of competitive youth hockey. With hilarious anecdotes, sarcastic observations, and plenty of relatable humor, you'll laugh out loud (and cry a little bit) at all the ups and downs of hockey parent life. This book takes readers on a journey of juggling a competitive sport's demands with a busy family's needs. Pour some coffee (or something a little stronger) and get ready. Topics covered But while We’re Not Here for the Hockey is a comedic memoir, it’s also heartfelt. L. Zukosky is a big believer in the power of sports to teach kids essential life lessons - teamwork, perseverance, and the value of hard work. There may be a few warranted jabs at the system and the coaches who think they are the next Herb Brooks, but the author knows how much hockey means to the players - and how much it means to the parents who watch them. We’re Not Here for the Hockey is the ultimate survival guide for navigating the competitive hockey world or any other sport that dominates finances and free time. This book will surely resonate, and you’ll be able to navigate the absurdities of youth sports with grace, humor, and a healthy dose of perspective.
Order your copy now at a special low price!
"L. Zukosky uses humor and wit to chronicle the parents' journey of dreaming their child could be “the next one.” This book is a must-read for parents who have lost sight of whose dream they are living and for gullible parents with a blank cheque just entering the hockey world. Her self-deprecating humor, real-life experiences, and observations expose the lunacy of youth hockey. It’s an indispensable guide to parents of the next generation."
— JUSTIN DAVIS, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF CONFLICTED AN AVERAGE PLAYER’S JOURNEY TO THE NHL
"Having 5 hockey players of my own, This book hit home with the passion, drive, and determination that it takes to pursue a
dream in sports along with the struggles, sacrifices, and perseverance that it takes to achieve it! Laura’s recount of the years spent was both funny and yet serious. I want to thank her for this memoir of the years that our sons played together!
Thanks for the Mints!"
— WENDI "MAMA SLAVS" SLAVIN, HOCKEY MOM
Order your copy now at a special low price!
"L. Zukosky uses humor and wit to chronicle the parents' journey of dreaming their child could be “the next one.” This book is a must-read for parents who have lost sight of whose dream they are living and for gullible parents with a blank cheque just entering the hockey world. Her self-deprecating humor, real-life experiences, and observations expose the lunacy of youth hockey. It’s an indispensable guide to parents of the next generation."
— JUSTIN DAVIS, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF CONFLICTED AN AVERAGE PLAYER’S JOURNEY TO THE NHL
"Having 5 hockey players of my own, This book hit home with the passion, drive, and determination that it takes to pursue a
dream in sports along with the struggles, sacrifices, and perseverance that it takes to achieve it! Laura’s recount of the years spent was both funny and yet serious. I want to thank her for this memoir of the years that our sons played together!
Thanks for the Mints!"
— WENDI "MAMA SLAVS" SLAVIN, HOCKEY MOM
204 pages, Paperback
Published April 2, 2023
10 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 4, 2023
Such a great fun read!. You will be laughing out loud, maybe shedding a few tears and you will fall in love with Laura, her experiences and her family! GREAT READ
April 7, 2023
HIGHLY RECOMMEND this navigation guide if you are considering youth sports (at a competitive level)! Heck, probably even most high school sports have a level of intensity and politics (depends on where you live). But for anyone with younger kids considering this path - THIS IS A GREAT READ!!!! If you are already ON THE PATH - do yourself a favor and read it. There is still time to find your true North!
It's super insightful, very witty, raw, and the author tells it like it is. L. Zukosky promises to be your guide up the mountain....some days you don't know if you can make it, or if your kid can make it (but they love the sport). She divulges helpful secrets into the hockey world (all the ones she wishes she had, but had to learn the hard way). I love how the author conveys her devotion for the sport - never telling anyone NOT to play - but instead sharing the things (e.g. power-plays, politics, all around crazy a** s#!%) they need to watch out for to preserve their sanity, their kid's mental state, and hopefully....more of their bank acct.
What a wild ride she takes the reader on! I can totally see people relating to this from all walks of youth sports life: baseball, gymnastics, swimming, lacrosse - you name it. The talent scouts, politics, crazy coaches, and even crazier parents are everywhere!!!! Time to put your big girl - or - boy pants on and SHUT YOUR TRAP as she says! It's gonna be a wild ride if you have a kid that loves a sport, shows potential and wants to keep advancing. Don't be a sucker for the system!!!
It's super insightful, very witty, raw, and the author tells it like it is. L. Zukosky promises to be your guide up the mountain....some days you don't know if you can make it, or if your kid can make it (but they love the sport). She divulges helpful secrets into the hockey world (all the ones she wishes she had, but had to learn the hard way). I love how the author conveys her devotion for the sport - never telling anyone NOT to play - but instead sharing the things (e.g. power-plays, politics, all around crazy a** s#!%) they need to watch out for to preserve their sanity, their kid's mental state, and hopefully....more of their bank acct.
What a wild ride she takes the reader on! I can totally see people relating to this from all walks of youth sports life: baseball, gymnastics, swimming, lacrosse - you name it. The talent scouts, politics, crazy coaches, and even crazier parents are everywhere!!!! Time to put your big girl - or - boy pants on and SHUT YOUR TRAP as she says! It's gonna be a wild ride if you have a kid that loves a sport, shows potential and wants to keep advancing. Don't be a sucker for the system!!!
April 7, 2023
I stepped into my stepdaughter’s traveling soccer team journey when she was already in high school, so was exposed to only a handful of years of the competitive sports parental machinations. Nonetheless, I could relate to so many of the tales told by L. Zukosky about her hockey parent experiences. Seems as though she managed to keep the journey in perspective by making time for laughing at herself, the sights, the smells, the expenses of travel equipment and coaching, the agonizing decisions and self-doubt, the thrills and disappointments (of which there are plenty) from which she and her son recover and grow stronger (including stomachs from dealing with freshly used teenage team uniforms).
I witnessed the same bond between my stepdaughter’s team parents that L. describes among the various hockey team’s parents: from therapeutic letting off steam together to the underlying competitive tension as to who whose kid gets enough playing time or getting promoted to the next level, to who is stepping up enough to manage team manager duties, etc.
The book is so relatable to parents of ANY competitive athlete trying to make it to college or the pros, but keeps a needed sense of humor for a more entertaining read than a “how-to/self-help” type book would offer.
I’m recommending it to the other sports parents in my life for a entertaining and a relatable read.
April 19, 2023
Part memoir and part hysterical hockey mom blow-by-blow, “We’re Not Here For The Hockey” is a lively read that is really not just about hockey. Any parent of a competitive or elite sport dance or cheer team will love this book and completely relate. From the authors tips, to comments about how stinky teen boys are, to the parent “types”, to her time as team manager, and her stint at flipping double wides to supplement the hockey habit, there is a little something for everyone in the delightful read.
October 27, 2023
This book is great for any parent navigating the youth hockey world. It's an excellent read for parents of all hockey levels. But you'll especially find it helpful if you're in the competitive travel world. The author tells real world experiences without the flowery bs. She tells it like it is and articulates navigating parent emotions of the ride. Because boy are there parent emotions (and politics but I'll leave that alone). Great fun read. I own two copies. One for notes and one to lend out. Also would be a great gift.
April 7, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this navigation guide! The author is very funny and considering she was a team manager, she has great first hand experience in the competitive youth hockey world. She leaves you with a sense of hope while revealing A LOT of helpful secrets into what can be a very exhilarating, confusing, tiring, bank-account-draining time in a family's life when they have a youth athlete at home. I recommend this book if you have kids in competitive sports.
April 4, 2023
Honest, raw and funny stories of the insane world of competitive hockey from a parent who has experienced it firsthand. Recounting the ups, downs and forever friendships and relationships that form as everyone navigates the madness. Use this book as a guide to maintain your sanity. It’s also a true account of some great hockey memories, it will make you miss those hour long commutes to practice.
April 6, 2023
This is the complete guide for parents to navigating competitive hockey. L Zukosky covers everything from the bonds formed with other parents to how to pay for the high cost of competitive hockey to the grief that comes when your child moves on from the world of competitive sports. Do yourself a favor, and pick up a copy today!
April 6, 2023
As a former volleyball coach and mom of a previous collegiate player, Laura’s take on living the dream as a child athlete Sherpa had me nodding in agreement, smiling with similarities, with spontaneous bouts of laughter!
Her wit and writing style kept me entertained from start to finish. To keep your sanity and sense of self, this book brings a light hearted reality to stay in the game!
Her wit and writing style kept me entertained from start to finish. To keep your sanity and sense of self, this book brings a light hearted reality to stay in the game!
April 6, 2023
I loved this book. I don't have a competitive athlete and I don't know anything about hockey. BUT . . . this book is so much fun and hilarious. If you don't believe me, just ask my husband who had to try to sleep while I was snorting and guffawing in bed late at night while he was trying to sleep. I definitely recommend this book--if you have a competitive athlete in your life or if you don't.
June 17, 2023
Thank you, Laura! Just starting the hockey adventure with my twin boys in France. I can very much relate to your adventures and thoughts and I am very thankful for your advice. Very good to know we are not alone and everyone is following this same amazing path. I had tears in my eyes at the end! Hockey hockey hockey!
April 9, 2023
Really enjoyable storytelling of the realities, both thrilling and heartbreakingly harsh, of a family finding itself in the throes of competitive youth sports. Very funny and poignant. Great summer read.
April 8, 2023
Hilariously funny and true to art of spectator sports! I laughed out loud several times! L. Zukosky knows how to spin her story so that anyone can relate! Highly recommended!
June 8, 2023
This book was laugh out loud funny and a must read for any parent with kids in competitive sports, especially hockey! Great insight into what happens in the older years especially.
July 28, 2023
Great, relatable memoir and content for comp sports parents.
October 11, 2023
Such a wonderful personal experience of being the travel hockey parent and manager of a team. I could feel the enthusiasm and excitement her son had for hockey and how it drove him.
December 29, 2023
Great book to read and laugh through when you're in the thick of hockey season.
August 25, 2024
Super cute, a quick and fun read. Never mind geography, the descriptions and anecdotes are applicable to all of us hockey families!
July 4, 2025
Very well written and extremely relatable as I am on that journey with my kids.
July 12, 2023
Funny and informative
A good read for any parent with children in sports. A great characterization of the intensity of so many sports programs ,their coaches and inspirations of the players and especially the overzealous parents that all too often push for their unrealistic dreams. This book puts everything thing in perspective for athletes and parents.
It would be even more humorous if most situations where not so true.
Talented author with way too much energy.
A good read for any parent with children in sports. A great characterization of the intensity of so many sports programs ,their coaches and inspirations of the players and especially the overzealous parents that all too often push for their unrealistic dreams. This book puts everything thing in perspective for athletes and parents.
It would be even more humorous if most situations where not so true.
Talented author with way too much energy.
October 4, 2025
I had no idea sports, parenting, and sh*t fights could be so funny.
June 19, 2024
Informative introduction into what to expect as an adult supporting a child’s competitive hockey passion.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews