Between The Pipes: A Hockey Story Of Courage, Control, And The Game Within

by David McGill

Between the PipesA YA hockey novel about fear, focus, and belonging.

Seventeen-year-old Cole Ducharme was born to guard the net. But after one mistake cost his team the championship, his shaking hands made him a viral joke and a ghost in his own crease. Now, on a tense road-trip season with the Norcrest Wolves, every shot tests more than his reflexes—it tests his mind.

As pressure builds, Cole must learn that control isn’t perfection—it’s trust, and that courage means breathing through the noise, not erasing it. With the help of a hard-edged coach, a too-honest teammate, and the quiet rhythm of skates on ice, he discovers that sometimes the hardest save isn’t the puck—it’s himself.

A powerful coming-of-age story for fans of Beartown, Check, Please! and Friday Night Lights, this novel blends sports realism, mental-health insight, and lyrical YA storytelling.



Glossary of hockey terms for new readersTeacher & coach discussion guide with reflection questionsAuthor’s note on real breath-control techniques used by goalies

90 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2025