Tales From the Devils Ice

by Mike Kerwick, Chico Resch, Glenn "Chico" Resch

From the moment Dr. John McMullen brought professional hockey to New Jersey to the moment Scott Stevens lifted the Stanley Cup over his head for the third time, the Garden State has been in love with its New Jersey Devils. In Chico Resch’s Tales from the Devils Ice, former New Jersey goalie Chico Resch and co-author Mike Kerwick bring readers along for a wild ride from the lean early seasons to the three Stanley Cup championships. The book has it all, including details about John MacLean’s game winner against Chicago, the goal that propelled the Devils into the playoffs for the first time; Ken Daneyko’s emotional curtain call in Game 7 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals; and Martin Brodeur’s yearly playoff dominance. Resch and Kerwick spent the 2003-04 season talking to players past and present, searching for the stories behind the stories. They provide answers to questions Why did teammates shove a shaving-cream pie in defenseman Colin White’s face during a practice in Columbus? Why did Garry Howatt serve as an official linesman while he was still on the Devils roster? And why did Kirk Muller receive a phony subpoena when he was a little late paying for auto body work on his car? Fans will not have to wonder about questions like those any longer. Chico Resch’s Tales from the Devils Ice is an easy skate through Devils history, revealing insights behind the stories fans have heard and many others they have not heard until now.

Genres: Hockey, Nonfiction

175 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers of the “Tales From Locker Room/Bench/Ice” books know what to expect from the series. Short anecdotes taken from team history – particular the part of the history best known to the author – including personal glimpses of the players / management personnel, practical jokes, and behind-the-scenes looks.

Chico Resch and Mike Kerwick contribute a book that fits in well with the others. Enjoyable, a quick read, with a number of tales that I was unfamiliar with prior to reading the book. One I found most telling was that (now former) general manager kept a series of photos in his office of people with the Stanley Cup – not players, but lower-level front office personnel who got the opportunity to join with the players in celebrating their accomplishment.

If you like the series, you'll be sure to want to read this one. If you're not a fan, either because you're unfamiliar with it or haven't enjoyed prior books – give it a try. It's one of the better ones in the series.

RATING: 4 stars..

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so much a book as a collection of little stories about the 25-year history of the Devils franchise, through the wit and insight of former goaltender and current TV analyst Chico Resch. Hard-core fans will enjoy and might learn a new thing or two about their favorite team, although they probably know most of the history already.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read as an inside look of the past 25 years in the franchise with some intresting side stories.