Home Game: Hockey and Life in Canada

by Ken Dryden, Roy MacGregor

In October 1983 Ken Dryden gave us what was called the best non-fiction book ever written about hockey – The Game. In that same month Roy MacGregor published what was hailed as the best novel ever written about hockey – The Last Season. In 1989 these two writers teamed up to write another extraordinary book: inspired by Ken Dryden’s major CBC-TV series on hockey, Home Game takes us all the way from street hockey to the showdowns between Canada and the Soviets.

On publication, Home Game shot to the top of the bestseller lists, establishing itself as must reading for every hockey fan. Not only was this lavish book with over 95 full-colour photographs popular among ordinary Canadians: book reviewers loved it.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Hockey, Sports, Nonfiction, Canada, Canadian Literature, Cultural

244 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Kenneth Wayne "Ken" Dryden is a Canadian politician, lawyer, businessman, author, and former NHL goaltender. He is an officer of the Order of Canada and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Dryden was a Liberal Member of Parliament from 2004, also serving as a cabinet minister from 2004 to 2006, until losing his seat in the 2011 Canadian federal elections to Conservative Mark Adler.

Reviews

[Simon Kenneth John · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Ken Dryden writes that "hockey is not an art," I respectfully disagree with him. We're coming at the idea of 'art' from different directions. He (I conjecture) defines 'art' as a creative process that is necessarily solitary, or purpose to which is the making of "something." My view of 'art' includes most things that bypass a rational construct, and is allowed to flow without (rational) construct.
So, according to my definition, the playing of ice-hockey is absolutely akin to art.
But, I digress. Really enjoyed this book; such good writing !

[Joe Seliske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dryden and MacGregor tell the story of a couple of kids hoping to eventually play in the NHL in 1989. HockeyDB shows that neither of them really made it and that they were long-retired by 2020. They try to explain why hockey is such a Canadian game and why Canadians are obsessed with it. After talking of the two young hockey players, they move on to the Canada-Russia 1972 hockey series and give some insights that only Ken would know. They then analyze how that series changed hockey in both countries and how Russians were eventually allowed to play in the NHL A mixed bag gave a good read.

[Mel :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

for a book written in 1989, the amount of things that can still relate to todays hockey landscape is so interesting!! didn’t read like a non-fiction book most of the time, I love Ken Dryden’s writing (took me straight to the Summit Series Soviet Union while sitting in my backyard!!) and really didn’t want to put this book down!!

I googled all the players he spoke to in the chapter about minor hockey Greg Koehler for anyone wondering, played ONE NHL game in his pro career which makes his story even that much more interesting!

[Donald Mulligan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took Home Game from the school library because I thought it was about Ken Dryden experiences from the Summit Series. One chapter did focus on this great tournament. Each chapter focused on different communities revolve around their team and their rinks. Pretty interesting seeing Ken Dryden’s point of all things hockey. Not what I was hoping for, but a good read in the end.

[Mylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable hockey read. It's a bit old but has a lot of strong writing that invoked nostalgia in this hockey fan.

[Gary VandeBroek · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intellectual look at hockey as a player,fan, Canadian. Eye-opening mind expanding!!!! Wish I had read this a long ago better late than never. I have a better understanding of the game

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hockey in Canada has run a parallel course through the last century with baseball in America. Hockey is to Canadians what baseball is to Americans. This is the first book I've read that captures that sense of history, continuity, and passion. The game of hockey is woven into the fabric of everyday life from the big cities to the remote prairie towns. Instead of a straightforward chronological narrative of the history of hockey, each chapter centers on a key theme, person, or event. These stories combine to create a rich, heartfelt, and accurate picture of everything we love about the game.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant look at what hockey means to the people that play it. Well written.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is difficult to argue against the opinions Ken offers regarding pro hockey. Plus as an American it is great to get the facts straight regarding hockey history in Canada.

[Benn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dryden is a good story teller and I found the book, enjoyable and easy to read.

[Brian Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, a small bit of carry over from The Game by Dryden, but an interesting look into the post career mindset of an athlete.