Showtime: One Team, One Season, One Step From the NHL

by Ed Arnold

For fans of NHL 24/7, a raw and revealing account of roller coaster of a season of the Peterborough Petes – the launching pad for a record number of NHL stars including Steve Yzerman, Tie Domi, Roger Neilson, Chris Pronger and Bob Gainey.

But, victory is never guaranteed and after a disastrous 2011-12 season, The Petes agreed to give Ed Arnold unrestricted access throughout the 2012-13 season offering an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at one of the most-storied hockey franchise in Canada and a season marked by defections, firings, heartbreaking losses and incredible victories. In the tradition of Next Man Up and Friday Night Lights, Chasing Hockey Dreams uncovers the world of hockey as rising stars fight their way to the pros.

Genres: Sports, Hockey, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 2014

Reviews

[Steven Spoelstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very honest account of behind the scenes of an OHL team. A real page turner. I had waited for a book on junior A hockey for a long time. Highly recommended.

[Avery Runstedler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique insight into the day-to-day operations of a struggling Major Junior Hockey Team. Ed Arnold does a phenomenal job of bringing the reader right into the dressing room and having them experience all of the sensations of the Peterborough Petes' season.

[Patrick Conlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish more teams would give this type of behind the scenes access to writers. Junior hockey is the lifeblood to so many communities. Peterborough is such a unique city. A historic team that has struggled to gain the interest of a younger crowd. This book is a fantastic peak at a tumultuous season for the Petes.

[Mylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed Ed Arnold's account of the 2012-13 Peterborough Petes. Would highly recommend to any fan of junior hockey or sports team narratives.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book on a season in Junior A hockey in Canada.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read seeing the insides of an OHL team. Lots of drama for sure. Fun and easy read.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ed Arnold, the author, is an excellent writer and can turn mundane stories into an interesting piece of art. Showtime was an interesting read as it followed the Peterborough Petes, an Ontario Hockey League team, and their adventures throughout the year. The team faced many hardships throughout the year but played on, however their season did not end in the fairy tale comeback ending. Teamwork is the prevailing theme in this book as many of the players come from around the Ontario area and have never played together before. As Pelina had said “We have to believe in each other. We have no choice but to come together and, really believe in each other.” (Arnold 173). It was magnificent to see the hard work put in by players and the lessons they were able to teach me.
Arnold’s style of writing is very intriguing as he uses many complex sentences but often uses basic English words. I find Showtime easy to read but also interesting as it shows how much effort and time is put into training and perfecting skills. I like how easy it was to read and how easy it was to follow along even though I am not a huge hockey fan. There was nothing I could point out and say that I did not like. The book was written well and perfectly described the struggles of a functioning team. I think anyone who wants to further their knowledge in hockey and the process of getting recognized by pro and minor league scouts should read Showtime. Anyone not interested in hockey should not read as it deals almost entirely about hockey. Although this is a great book it should not be made into a movie as it does not end in a miraculous comeback. Also it would not be useful in schools as it is specifically hockey related and not much can be analyzed like the schools would like it to be.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a strange sort of book to me; it read more as a 300+ page newspaper article than any sort of coherent narrative, which I assume has a lot to do with Arnold's long history as a reporter. I did end up feeling for the overagers on this Petes team (and laughing a little to myself as I saw the London team who won the OHL play in Saskatoon as well as seeing the Halifax team who won it all). As an Edmonton Oil Kings fan, it gave me more appreciation for Pierog and Trojanovic, against whom my team played in the Memorial Cup final.

And, overwhelmingly, it drove home the point that junior teams more than any other need good management. These are still just boys who are growing up while playing hockey, not men already committed to a career. I think that often gets lost in the look at results and points and goals, but this brought it to the forefront. (All that being said, the head office during this season was a joke, and my belief is someone should have realized Pelino had lost the room well before Christmas break. Hindsight remains, as always, 20/20, however.)

[Jen Cowin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Ed Arnold should write a book about every OHL team.... The themes presented in this book aren't unique to the Petes, all of the teams have struggles and victories and amazing stories to tell.
I think this book was an excellent mix of stats and play-by-plays combined with the personal lives, secrets and feelings of all the people involved in an OHL franchise. It's so much more than just what fans see on the ice and in the media.
I liked that Arnold didn't hold back details when it came to players faults - and the constant reminder that yes, they are just kids.
I'd love for Arnold to write about Kingston -yikes!

[Ross Bonander]

Here's what I thought.

[Lewis M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great synopsis of the ups and downs of a Junior hockey season. Ed Arnolds book covers so many issues facing the 16-20 year old hockey player, the team and the staff.

[Shona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and this team. Would love to read more like this

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating view on life inside the wonderful world of junior hockey.