Whose Puck Is It, Anyway?: A Season with a Minor Novice Hockey Team

by Ed Arnold

Every winter, in hockey arenas across North America, as soon as the kids step onto the ice, the abuse begins. Coaches yell at the players, parents yell at the coaches, and everyone yells at the referees. After nearly a decade of coaching youngsters, Ed Arnold decided he wanted kids to learn the fundamentals of hockey but he also wanted them to have fun. He got support in this enterprise from two former NHL players, goalie Greg Millen and forward Steve Larmer. Concerned that the children’s game was being taken far too seriously by both parents and coaches, they also believed that the kids were losing the opportunity to reinvent the game for themselves.

So it came about that in the winter of 2000, when the parents of the would-be Minor Novice Peterborough Petes showed up with their kids for tryouts, they were handed a letter outlining the coaches’ new philosophy. There would be no yelling at players, coaches, or referees. Players would play all positions. They would not be forced to follow a “systems” approach to hockey, but would be left to figure out what to do in a given situation for themselves. And all members of the team would be given equal ice time.

Not every parent liked it, but the kids sure had a good time. Readers of this inspiring book will have a wonderful time, too, as they follow the adventures of the team. Coach Larmer wears a Stanley Cup ring but he meant exactly what he said when he told a reporter that his year with the kids was the most fun he ever had in hockey.

Genres: Canada, Sports, Hockey

264 pages, Hardcover

First published August 27, 2002

Reviews

[Lewis M · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a phenomenal book. It is 20 years old now but the lessons are as valid today as when the book first came out. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend this to anyone who wants to coach children in sports, especially competitive team sports. I can also say as a retired coach that I've lived many if the experiences but haven't seen them as well articulated. Cudos to Ed Arnold.

[Deb Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband read this book quite a while ago....it's been sitting on my nightstand, and I finally picked it up a couple of nights ago.

I really enjoyed it. I vow to be a better hockey parent this season....no negativity!

Just for kicks, I did google searches on some of the kids from the book. Very cool to see what they're doing today....still playing hockey, some still with Peterborough, one is a "fighter", You can see his fights posted on You Tube.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. If you like to PLAY with kids and let kids PLAY, even in a parent-infested-team sport like Canadian ice hockey, then you'll love it too. Mr. Arnold does great at letting his characters shine through with all their quirks and nuances. The kids are adorable, all of them.

[Ellen Schwarm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshing look at youth hockey

[Sue Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think every Coach, parent, and minor hockey executive should read this book. Really makes you remember that these are just kids playing a sport they love and we should let them. :)