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Fighting My Way to the Top
A refreshing memoir of battles and self-belief from one of the NHL's most revered enforcers Shawn Thornton was an unlikely NHL success, to say the least. The Oshawa, Ontario native was picked late in the OHL and later thought he was being pranked when the Toronto Maple Leafs called him to say he'd been selected in the seventh round of the 1997 NHL draft. After years spent working and maturing in the AHL, Thornton would go on to play 14 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, and Florida Panthers, winning two Stanley Cups along the way. For the first time, in this candid memoir, Thornton opens up about his life in hockey and beyond, from his early days as an unrated prospect to the leadership lessons he learned in the minors, from the most difficult on-ice brawls to the ecstasy of reaching the sport's most celestial heights.Fans will not want to miss this story of perseverance and finding one's own path.
- GenresHockeySportsNonfiction
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2021
27 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 6, 2022
(rounded up from 3.5)
I love hockey, and I liked Shawn Thornton when he was playing for the Bruins. However, this memoir seemed a little boastful and didn't really amount to what I was hoping for. I wish there was more material from behind the scenes from the NHL and how certain events affected Shawn emotionally. But this seemed as though he was more invested in his career and what he did on the ice with his fists. I got through this one, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who isn't interested into hockey, the Bruins, or Shawn.
I love hockey, and I liked Shawn Thornton when he was playing for the Bruins. However, this memoir seemed a little boastful and didn't really amount to what I was hoping for. I wish there was more material from behind the scenes from the NHL and how certain events affected Shawn emotionally. But this seemed as though he was more invested in his career and what he did on the ice with his fists. I got through this one, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who isn't interested into hockey, the Bruins, or Shawn.
January 17, 2025
Enjoyed the Newfoundland connection and also the parts from other players and coaches.
March 14, 2022
Oof.
When the Bs signed Thornton, I loved it. He was instrumental in not just bringing the cup back to Boston but also helped bring back the Big Bad Bruins' style of play. That said, this book was rough.
The stories were disjointed and sometimes ended abruptly. There was a weak timeline followed by the chapters but it wasn't always followed, they'd jump back in time. Perhaps the most odd thing was that it was PG. Nary a swear to be read; f__k or s__t. I guess the publisher wanted to kids to read it? Trust kids more. They've hear those words before. At the end Thornton said it took a long while for Dale Arnold to convince him to tell his story. I think Dale let him down. Not only was it disjointed, he padded the page total by having quote call-out boxes splitting the page by players and managers and friends give their thought on the situation that was being talked about. It made it even tougher to read.
That said, I do think his story was worth telling. His humility, his willingness to admit a mistake, and most importantly the fantastic way he gives back to the communities in first Boston and then down in Florida. He help not just the Boston Marathon bombing victims but also the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting victims. Shawn is a good dude. A really good dude. I just with the book was better.
I'd only recommend it fans of the Bs and only fans that followed the run to the cup a decade ago.
When the Bs signed Thornton, I loved it. He was instrumental in not just bringing the cup back to Boston but also helped bring back the Big Bad Bruins' style of play. That said, this book was rough.
The stories were disjointed and sometimes ended abruptly. There was a weak timeline followed by the chapters but it wasn't always followed, they'd jump back in time. Perhaps the most odd thing was that it was PG. Nary a swear to be read; f__k or s__t. I guess the publisher wanted to kids to read it? Trust kids more. They've hear those words before. At the end Thornton said it took a long while for Dale Arnold to convince him to tell his story. I think Dale let him down. Not only was it disjointed, he padded the page total by having quote call-out boxes splitting the page by players and managers and friends give their thought on the situation that was being talked about. It made it even tougher to read.
That said, I do think his story was worth telling. His humility, his willingness to admit a mistake, and most importantly the fantastic way he gives back to the communities in first Boston and then down in Florida. He help not just the Boston Marathon bombing victims but also the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting victims. Shawn is a good dude. A really good dude. I just with the book was better.
I'd only recommend it fans of the Bs and only fans that followed the run to the cup a decade ago.
November 14, 2024
Great insights into the world of Hockey from someone who got to play for a long time at the highest levels potentially without ever being the best player on any team. For anyone that thinks that the fights in hockey are weak and/or for show, Shawn's career gives the inside look at the injuries and just brutal career for players like him. I was mostly shocked by the lower level of play; and nowadays I do think that lots of this has been toned down, but give Shawn credit for never backing down and becoming a successful NHL player on and off of the ice. I know that watching him for years he really was a fan favorite of the Boston fans. Great story, and his off ice examples are something for any athlete to consider. Great book.
February 14, 2022
Great story about a hard nosed hockey player, who with guts and determination, enjoyed a career that included playing for two Stanley Cup teams. The book details a lot of great moments from his playing days in the Juniors, AHL and NHL. Thornton's love of the game is evident. What most fans, at least fans with only a passive interest, don't know was that he was a leader in the locker room, on the ice and is a person that does a lot of charity work. If you are a hockey fan, you will enjoy this book.
December 5, 2021
A must read for all Boston Bruins fans as it's loaded with amazing stories from the 2011 Cup run and how the lead up since Shawn Thornton's arrival. There's also some great stuff about the evolution of fighting in hockey, and his current role with the Florida Panthers.
January 28, 2022
As a bruins fan, Shawn Thornton was my favorite player growing up. His book did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about his time in the minors and especially his time in Boston. I would recommend this book to any hockey fan, regardless of if they love the Bruins or hate them.
November 29, 2021
Enjoyable re-living of amazing Bruins memories by an all-time favorite.
January 8, 2022
Would only enjoy if you are a hard core hockey fan.
February 22, 2022
A fantastic read. Hockey fans of all teams would enjoy this book. An inside look at the life of a very talented enforcer. From the ice to the office.
November 28, 2022
Great read
I knew Sean well from Oshawa when he played in Newfoundland
Great story Sean! ..happy to read how it "all ended"
Congrats 👏
I knew Sean well from Oshawa when he played in Newfoundland
Great story Sean! ..happy to read how it "all ended"
Congrats 👏
February 28, 2023
Loved this book! If you're a Thorty fan it's a must read!
November 27, 2025
Emotional 😢
June 13, 2023
"Boston Bruins fans were pissed, and I couldn't even blame them. Hell, we were pissed."
This obviously won't be the best book you've ever read, but if you like hockey, especially the Boston Bruins, you'll enjoy this book. I really enjoyed some behind the scene looks at famous moments in their hockey history that I had grown up hearing about and loved hearing about the life and journey that, what I would consider a very good hockey player, went through. It wasn't easy for him and he knows he wasn't and never would be the best hockey player to exist but that didn't mean he would ever give up. He continued doing what he loved and brought something to every team he played and worked for. I think this is a great book for hockey lovers all around.
This obviously won't be the best book you've ever read, but if you like hockey, especially the Boston Bruins, you'll enjoy this book. I really enjoyed some behind the scene looks at famous moments in their hockey history that I had grown up hearing about and loved hearing about the life and journey that, what I would consider a very good hockey player, went through. It wasn't easy for him and he knows he wasn't and never would be the best hockey player to exist but that didn't mean he would ever give up. He continued doing what he loved and brought something to every team he played and worked for. I think this is a great book for hockey lovers all around.
February 13, 2024
Awesome book!! Must read for Bruin/hockey fans or people who just want to parlay opportunities to make a difference in the world!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews