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If These Walls Could Talk: Chicago Blackhawks: Stories from the Chicago Blackhawks' Ice, Locker Room, and Press Box
Led by stars like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook, the Chicago Blackhawks are a modern NHL powerhouse, as much a part of Chicago as the Willis Tower or The Bean at Millennium Park. In If These Walls Could Chicago Blackhawks , Mark Lazerus chronicles the team's rise from the dark ages of the 2000s to the golden age of the 2010s through never-before-told stories from inside the dressing room, aboard the team plane, at the players' homes, and — especially in the case of the rowdy 2009-2010 team that started it all — in countless Chicago bars. If These Walls Could Chicago Blackhawks will bring readers closer to their favorite players than ever before. It's a book Hawks fans won't want to be without.
- GenresSportsNonfictionHockey
256 pages, Paperback
Published November 15, 2017
29 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 25, 2019
So I’ve followed Laz on twitter for around 5 years now, and the Blackhawks are my all-time favorite hockey team so there was no way I was going to dislike this book but WOW it was so good.
Reading this book was like a trip down memory lane for me. The 2010-2013 Blackhawks are the reason I’m a hockey fan. I would not be a hockey fan if it wasn’t for what the team did in 2010 and 2013. So reading this book was like rereading the story of how I came to love the Blackhawks and hockey.
In a way, the young Blackhawks of 2010 grew up over the past decade as I grew up from early high school years to starting my career. I saw the team grow up and mature, but still be that same Blackhawks team I fell in love with 10 years ago, as I too grew up and matured. The Blackhawks were (and are) a constant in my life over the past decade. I finally had a sport and a team to cheer for besides tennis. Don’t get me wrong, tennis is still my first sports love, but it’s so much fun to watch a team sport and cheer for a whole team and not just one player.
Reading this book reminded me of so many memories from the past 10 years. I vividly remember listening to the 2010 playoff game where Keith lost 7 teeth on the radio in my church parking lot. I remember walking down the halls in high school and everyone was wearing Kane, Toews, Keith, and Sharp gear in 2010 (and I remember trying to figure out how the hell you pronounce “Toews”). I remember my high school playing Chelsea Dagger during passing period during playoff season. I remember going out to buy a Stanley Cup Champions shirt at Target in 2013. I remember watching game 6 against TBL with college friends all the way in Pennsylvania in 2015. I remember finally buying my first 2 player shirts for the Hawks (of course neither one is on the team anymore but they’re still my favorite players). I have a lot of good memories from the past decade and this book reminded me of those.
The Blackhawks from ~2008-2015 were a truly special, magical team. They did some truly unbelievable things. And I don’t know if I’ll again see something in sports quite like that. From the way the team turned it around starting in 2007/2008, the way the entirety of Chicago fell in love with the Hawks, the way we won 3 cups in like, 6 seasons, the chemistry and camaraderie of the team, the way the core managed to stay intact for that long. It was truly a magical time and I’m truly thankful to have witnessed such an amazing feat for this team. I don’t think the Blackhawks will ever do that again. And while the team isn’t the same as they were 4, 5 seasons ago, I love them just as much and I always will. Even if they never win another cup in my lifetime, I’ll always remember this period and be happy to know my team did that. They did something no other team in the NHL has done.
Anyway who knew a book about hockey would be my longest review of the year AND make me so emotional and nostalgic? I mean, the Blackhawks mean a lot to me and I really fell in love with the team and sport during my older formative years in late high school and college. It’s been a big part of my life both personally and culturally (being from Chicago) since I was 15, and will be for the rest of my life. So thanks Laz for reminding me of just so much about this team that’s a huge part of my life now.
Reading this book was like a trip down memory lane for me. The 2010-2013 Blackhawks are the reason I’m a hockey fan. I would not be a hockey fan if it wasn’t for what the team did in 2010 and 2013. So reading this book was like rereading the story of how I came to love the Blackhawks and hockey.
In a way, the young Blackhawks of 2010 grew up over the past decade as I grew up from early high school years to starting my career. I saw the team grow up and mature, but still be that same Blackhawks team I fell in love with 10 years ago, as I too grew up and matured. The Blackhawks were (and are) a constant in my life over the past decade. I finally had a sport and a team to cheer for besides tennis. Don’t get me wrong, tennis is still my first sports love, but it’s so much fun to watch a team sport and cheer for a whole team and not just one player.
Reading this book reminded me of so many memories from the past 10 years. I vividly remember listening to the 2010 playoff game where Keith lost 7 teeth on the radio in my church parking lot. I remember walking down the halls in high school and everyone was wearing Kane, Toews, Keith, and Sharp gear in 2010 (and I remember trying to figure out how the hell you pronounce “Toews”). I remember my high school playing Chelsea Dagger during passing period during playoff season. I remember going out to buy a Stanley Cup Champions shirt at Target in 2013. I remember watching game 6 against TBL with college friends all the way in Pennsylvania in 2015. I remember finally buying my first 2 player shirts for the Hawks (of course neither one is on the team anymore but they’re still my favorite players). I have a lot of good memories from the past decade and this book reminded me of those.
The Blackhawks from ~2008-2015 were a truly special, magical team. They did some truly unbelievable things. And I don’t know if I’ll again see something in sports quite like that. From the way the team turned it around starting in 2007/2008, the way the entirety of Chicago fell in love with the Hawks, the way we won 3 cups in like, 6 seasons, the chemistry and camaraderie of the team, the way the core managed to stay intact for that long. It was truly a magical time and I’m truly thankful to have witnessed such an amazing feat for this team. I don’t think the Blackhawks will ever do that again. And while the team isn’t the same as they were 4, 5 seasons ago, I love them just as much and I always will. Even if they never win another cup in my lifetime, I’ll always remember this period and be happy to know my team did that. They did something no other team in the NHL has done.
Anyway who knew a book about hockey would be my longest review of the year AND make me so emotional and nostalgic? I mean, the Blackhawks mean a lot to me and I really fell in love with the team and sport during my older formative years in late high school and college. It’s been a big part of my life both personally and culturally (being from Chicago) since I was 15, and will be for the rest of my life. So thanks Laz for reminding me of just so much about this team that’s a huge part of my life now.
October 12, 2017
Now, maybe I am a bit biased. The Chicago Blackhawks are my life and I thoroughly enjoy reading what Mark has to say on Twitter and interacting with him. When he dropped a book about the team, it was a no-brainer to pre-order it. I knew that I would, at the very least, have fun reading it.
What I didn’t expect was the emotional rollercoaster that this book was going to take me on.
Mark lays out the framework for how the Chicago Blackhawks went from being one of the worst franchises in sports to being at the top of the world as 3-time Stanley Cup Champions with this core group. He interjects stories and quotes from players and coaches. It really takes you on a ride.
Now, the book is pretty short for one that spans over multiple years, losses, heartbreaks, and the resurgence of a lifetime. Despite its length, it packs one hell of a punch. I found myself laughing a lot at their antics, and I founds myself crying like a baby reliving the glory of those championship years and reading about how the players love each other and this city.
Mark Lazerus is a writer. It’s what he does for a living. The writing was going to be good. But he took so many years . . . so many emotions . . . and jammed them all into a paperback novel that will make you feel something. If you’re a Blackhawks fan, you’ll end up like me. If you’re a fan of any team other than the Pittsburgh Penguins, it may fill you with rage because you’re sick of these players having success. Regardless, it will make you FEEL. That right there is what makes this a great book.
5/5 Stars
What I didn’t expect was the emotional rollercoaster that this book was going to take me on.
Mark lays out the framework for how the Chicago Blackhawks went from being one of the worst franchises in sports to being at the top of the world as 3-time Stanley Cup Champions with this core group. He interjects stories and quotes from players and coaches. It really takes you on a ride.
Now, the book is pretty short for one that spans over multiple years, losses, heartbreaks, and the resurgence of a lifetime. Despite its length, it packs one hell of a punch. I found myself laughing a lot at their antics, and I founds myself crying like a baby reliving the glory of those championship years and reading about how the players love each other and this city.
Mark Lazerus is a writer. It’s what he does for a living. The writing was going to be good. But he took so many years . . . so many emotions . . . and jammed them all into a paperback novel that will make you feel something. If you’re a Blackhawks fan, you’ll end up like me. If you’re a fan of any team other than the Pittsburgh Penguins, it may fill you with rage because you’re sick of these players having success. Regardless, it will make you FEEL. That right there is what makes this a great book.
5/5 Stars
December 19, 2022
4.5 stars. Most of the new information was fun to learn, while the stuff I did already know was fun to revisit. And the author had premiere access to these players. Very impressive.
December 26, 2017
I've been a Blackhawks fan pretty much my entire life. But hockey and the Blackhawks became really important to me that year of the 2010 Stanley Cup run. I was having a really tough time in my personal life so having a hockey team I could turn to and root for when rooting for myself was really hard was a blessing. And Mark Lazerus, or Laz as he's affectionately known on Twitter, was able to compile some amazing stories from that time from just about everyone who was involved.
The stories from the dark ages right after Bill Wirtz passing all the way up to the present day were enthralling. And Lazerus pulled all of these together with wonderful transitions and inside looks from the media point of view. I didn't quite realize how much the personality of the team has changed from that 2010 until today. Maybe because I don't remember much of the 2010 run, but its interesting to see how the players have changed with society.
Which I think also lended itself to the change in tone during the last couple chapters of the book. As was mentioned by some of the older players, younger guys in the league now are a lot more buttoned up than those who came before. Which leads to less stories about player adventures when those types of adventures aren't really done anymore. Especially not by the current Blackhawks team, who aren't out every other night partying. Which also goes to show that maybe players should lighten up just a little.
I feel it's important that hockey players start showing more of their personalities in today's NHL. It's a shame that so many feel they have to shy away from cracking jokes or talking about things outside of hockey that they care about. There are ways to do this without getting too much attention from the media or even social media itself. You saw that in the 2010 team that they weren't afraid to be themselves. And it made for a great hockey team and a majority of this book. Just goes to show that things change and times change with them.
All in all I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend it to Blackhawks fans both old and new, hockey fans, and those who want a good sports related story. Also give Laz a follow on Twitter and read his pieces for the Sun Times. He's great at what he does, and this book goes even further to help prove that.
The stories from the dark ages right after Bill Wirtz passing all the way up to the present day were enthralling. And Lazerus pulled all of these together with wonderful transitions and inside looks from the media point of view. I didn't quite realize how much the personality of the team has changed from that 2010 until today. Maybe because I don't remember much of the 2010 run, but its interesting to see how the players have changed with society.
Which I think also lended itself to the change in tone during the last couple chapters of the book. As was mentioned by some of the older players, younger guys in the league now are a lot more buttoned up than those who came before. Which leads to less stories about player adventures when those types of adventures aren't really done anymore. Especially not by the current Blackhawks team, who aren't out every other night partying. Which also goes to show that maybe players should lighten up just a little.
I feel it's important that hockey players start showing more of their personalities in today's NHL. It's a shame that so many feel they have to shy away from cracking jokes or talking about things outside of hockey that they care about. There are ways to do this without getting too much attention from the media or even social media itself. You saw that in the 2010 team that they weren't afraid to be themselves. And it made for a great hockey team and a majority of this book. Just goes to show that things change and times change with them.
All in all I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend it to Blackhawks fans both old and new, hockey fans, and those who want a good sports related story. Also give Laz a follow on Twitter and read his pieces for the Sun Times. He's great at what he does, and this book goes even further to help prove that.
May 20, 2020
Full disclosure: I'm a huge Blackhawks fan. I bought this book when it first came out, and had forgotten about reading it. Now that all sports are on a hiatus, reading this brought back a lot of emotions. I've followed Laz on Twitter for a few years, and I've always enjoyed his humor and honesty. This book didn't disappoint.
I'm grateful to have been around during the three recent Blackhawks championships, and I loved reminiscing about players on these teams. The team of 2010 was a lot different than the team of 2015, and the book highlights that. The boys seemed to grow up and understand the responsibility that came with it. That didn't mean they couldn't have a little fun, though. And remembering how Duncan lost 7 teeth in a Stanley Cup Final (not Finals) game and learning about the whole "Versteeg!"mantra was so fun. I still love the GIF of Frolik after he scored a penalty shot goal. I actually never knew the story behind that, even though Laz posts that GIF quite a bit.
I think the most poignant part of the book was the epilogue that states that the younger hockey players aren't the same ones that came through the system 20 years ago. Today's youth are almost "bred" to be hockey players and are now declaring when they're in 8th grade. I hate that it's the way it's become. But I find it's so evident today.
I'm grateful to have been around during the three recent Blackhawks championships, and I loved reminiscing about players on these teams. The team of 2010 was a lot different than the team of 2015, and the book highlights that. The boys seemed to grow up and understand the responsibility that came with it. That didn't mean they couldn't have a little fun, though. And remembering how Duncan lost 7 teeth in a Stanley Cup Final (not Finals) game and learning about the whole "Versteeg!"mantra was so fun. I still love the GIF of Frolik after he scored a penalty shot goal. I actually never knew the story behind that, even though Laz posts that GIF quite a bit.
I think the most poignant part of the book was the epilogue that states that the younger hockey players aren't the same ones that came through the system 20 years ago. Today's youth are almost "bred" to be hockey players and are now declaring when they're in 8th grade. I hate that it's the way it's become. But I find it's so evident today.
October 16, 2017
Author Mark Lazerus is the Chicago Sun-Times beat reporter covering the Chicago Blackhawks. He has been on the beat since 2013, so he covered the 2013 and 2015 Stanley Cup champions. The Blackhawk dynasty (????) started with their winning the 2010 Stanley Cup. But Lazerus begins with tales of what it was like in the dark days, before 2007 began a rapid series of events that led to one of the biggest transformations in sports ever. Rocky Wirtz taking the reigns in the owner's office. John McDonough taking over as President/CEO. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane bringing star power to a group that already had Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Patrick Sharp as emerging stars.
This is a fast-paced read, loaded with interviews. It does not read like an encyclopedia, more like a highlight reel of reporter's notes. The focus is more on the players, rather than management.
I am a lifelong Blackhawk fan and follow the author on Twitter, where he is perhaps the most prolific person I follow. (I always follow less than 50 Twitter accounts.) So I can't say I learned anything new in this book, but Lazerus does put the last decade in good perspective. Well worth reading "hot off the presses."
This is a fast-paced read, loaded with interviews. It does not read like an encyclopedia, more like a highlight reel of reporter's notes. The focus is more on the players, rather than management.
I am a lifelong Blackhawk fan and follow the author on Twitter, where he is perhaps the most prolific person I follow. (I always follow less than 50 Twitter accounts.) So I can't say I learned anything new in this book, but Lazerus does put the last decade in good perspective. Well worth reading "hot off the presses."
December 9, 2017
This was a fun and quick book to read, but it felt terribly rushed at the end. The stories about the dark times and then the 2010 Stanley Cup, were fun and interesting, I learned a lot about the players' personalities and how things were in those days. To those first few chapters, 5 stars.
The last chapter, after the Lockout season cup, felt rushed, the stories felt a little forced and not nearly as much interesting as before. Could it be that the stories of those days were more boring, as he points out, when he talks about how the game has changed; but I particularly feel that this has to do with when the author started to cover the Hawks. He started to cover the beat right before the crazy sprint on the lockout season, and I think this affected the way he perceived the stories, maybe because he lived them closer or because he "already covered them", the stuff we get here is not as insightful nor detailed, as if we all already knew the big stories and there was not much more to tell. To the final part of the book, just two stars.
The last chapter, after the Lockout season cup, felt rushed, the stories felt a little forced and not nearly as much interesting as before. Could it be that the stories of those days were more boring, as he points out, when he talks about how the game has changed; but I particularly feel that this has to do with when the author started to cover the Hawks. He started to cover the beat right before the crazy sprint on the lockout season, and I think this affected the way he perceived the stories, maybe because he lived them closer or because he "already covered them", the stuff we get here is not as insightful nor detailed, as if we all already knew the big stories and there was not much more to tell. To the final part of the book, just two stars.
January 3, 2018
I have to honestly say I've only really been a thorough hockey fan for approximately 10 years. If you are a Blackhawks fan or even hockey fan this book is definitely for you!!! I totally loved it and the behind the scenes stories that are mentioned throughout the book. Mark is the Sun Times journalist and gracefully gives a chronological assessment of the ups and downs throughout the recent years. It's also a good source of retrospective interviews with current and former players as well as members of the coaching staff. Like all teams when there is the off the ice connection - there is an on the ice completion to team goals and achievements. Mark hits on the self doubts and the personal struggles many of the players went through during the seasons. Kudos to you, Mr. Lazerus for putting these events and accomplishments in a well written easy read.
May 26, 2018
This book is much as you would expect but, regrettably, not as much as you would expect. As an avid Blackhawks fan, who follows the team through multiple media, there were too few anecdotes or true behind-the-scenes information to satisfy me that I hadn't known before. Some of the elements were interesting and funny and illuminating so I do possess a better, deeper, more personal context for the Blackhawks' rise from non-existent to Stanley Cup champion and model franchise. So this book is a decent complement for an avid fan but possibly better suited as a just-below-the-surface intro for the more casual follower.
January 14, 2018
A great book for Blackhawks fans, with lots of entertaining and touching moments. The section about Artemi physically hurt to read, similar to the pain of re-reading old "I love you" messages from an ex-boyfriend. The story about Duncs losing at least 4 of his teeth mid-game but still shouting out directions for his linemates who couldn't understand his words at all was hilarious. Overall, it was a really fast and easy read, definitely recommend for those who don't want to think about the current Blackhawks situation and want to relive the beautiful glory days.
April 22, 2020
Wow. I’ve done my fair share of reading on the Blackhawks, but this was just incredible. Brilliant writing. It was great to get to know some of the older guys and revisit the start of the youngsters. I don’t think there was a story in the entire book that I didn’t enjoy. By the end, I was so nostalgic that I just wanted to go back to 2010 and relive it all.
This should be required reading for all Blackhawks fans. i highly recommend any Chicago sports fans and all hockey fans check it out. If you’ve heard of these guys, you’ll enjoy the book.
This should be required reading for all Blackhawks fans. i highly recommend any Chicago sports fans and all hockey fans check it out. If you’ve heard of these guys, you’ll enjoy the book.
April 27, 2020
Alright Laz, listen here. I’ve been following you for about a year now and after all the tidbits from this you drop on Twitter made me add it to my “maternity leave book stack”. My daughter is not yet a week old and BOTH my husband and I have read this in its entirety! (I don’t think we turned the tv on once while I was in the hospital). Despite being a Blackhawks fan from about 2011-now, getting to hear these stories and memories from the players is eye opening and fun! How I wish hockey was back.
August 19, 2019
Laz is why I subscribe to the Athletic. I'd subscribe even if he only covered Under 10 T-Ball games.
So, it's a really fortunate that he's spent so long covering one of the great dynasties of American sports. I plan to obnoxiously use most of the new things I learned in this book to talk over dudes watching hockey in bars. This is a great read for Hawks fans, and a fun read for hockey fans (okay, maybe not Canucks fans).
So, it's a really fortunate that he's spent so long covering one of the great dynasties of American sports. I plan to obnoxiously use most of the new things I learned in this book to talk over dudes watching hockey in bars. This is a great read for Hawks fans, and a fun read for hockey fans (okay, maybe not Canucks fans).
November 11, 2017
Decided to dive back into a sports book and it was worth it. Lazerus does a great job of telling all the stories you didn't hear about the three Cup-winning Blackhawks teams. Some are hilarious, some are unbelievable, some are sad, and one is cringe-worthy. But they were all interesting. Quick page-turner.
January 21, 2018
“Surely, you have to be a Blackhawks fan to enjoy this book?” I won’t lie, it is definitely a fascinating read as a Blackhawks fan - but any hockey fan would enjoy the stories included in this behind the scenes retelling of the 2010, 2013 and 2015 Stanley Cup runs. The “characters” and Lazarus’s familiarity and honesty makes this a fantastic, fun read. Go Hawks! (My hockey nickname is Kuenzer)
January 28, 2018
A fun, easy to read insight into the (mostly) fun stories behind the Cup wins. Hawks fans will love it, Canucks fans will hate it. Lazerus’ laidback writing style makes you feel like you were there, listening in as the players recalled the tough times and the glory days. A must for Chicago fans who lived through the Cup years.
January 1, 2018
Very good with funny stories from present and former Hawks. While I didn't exactly learn anything new, I was too young to remember the struggles and heartache that the team when though. The last few chapters however felt very rushed and could have been told better.
November 5, 2017
Great trip down memory lane with many stories I hadn't heard of or heard of incorrectly. A great record of all the moments that i'd forgotten in a really crazy decade of Blackhawks hockey. Laz is a fun writer and this book is a good hang.
June 23, 2018
An excellent recap of the Championship dynasty years of the Blackhawks, with some great insider stories. A nice trip down memory lane. This book had me pulling up a number of you tube clips to re-live some of the great game moments from the Cup runs.
January 5, 2019
A surprisingly good read. There were a lot of recollections from current and past players that made this book really fun to read.
It wasnt full of reporting what already happened. We know that.
This was sitting down with the players and hearing from them everything that went on.
It wasnt full of reporting what already happened. We know that.
This was sitting down with the players and hearing from them everything that went on.
July 11, 2019
Excellent read
Gives you a good look into what was going on after the Blackhawks Stanley Cup wins, how the cap was so involved in changing the team each year. How it effected the teams chemistry. Very interesting to read.
Gives you a good look into what was going on after the Blackhawks Stanley Cup wins, how the cap was so involved in changing the team each year. How it effected the teams chemistry. Very interesting to read.
Read
May 17, 2022I think it was very good and told me a lot of things I didn't know about the Blackhawks dynasty. I learned a lot more about what people do when they are scratched and injured and how the city of Chicago gets behind their sports teams
July 20, 2022
Due to its chronological covering of the three cups in five years, this is by far the best ”If These Walls Could Talk”-series I’ve read.
The author also does a very good job of not becoming part of the story, but rather keeps the focus on the actual team.
The author also does a very good job of not becoming part of the story, but rather keeps the focus on the actual team.
December 25, 2017
A must read for any Blackhawks fan.
October 23, 2018
I love it!
Realmente una lectura entretenida. Me gusto mucho. Especial para leer durante la temporada pasada, mantiene viva la esperanza!.
Let's go hawks!!!!!!
Realmente una lectura entretenida. Me gusto mucho. Especial para leer durante la temporada pasada, mantiene viva la esperanza!.
Let's go hawks!!!!!!
Read
December 26, 2019Content Notes:
January 1, 2020
Great stories of the team's success. Every Blackhawks fan will enjoy.
June 18, 2022
Knowing what we know now about the 2010 cup team, I find it fascinating how they reminisced about it before the Kyle Beach story came to light.
February 9, 2025
Great read
By my count, there were zero Pearl Jam songs in this book. It managed to be great anyway. I couldn't put it down as I relived all of my favorite moments and read so many new and hilarious stories along the way. Must-read for new and old fans alike.
By my count, there were zero Pearl Jam songs in this book. It managed to be great anyway. I couldn't put it down as I relived all of my favorite moments and read so many new and hilarious stories along the way. Must-read for new and old fans alike.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews