Shut Out: The Game That Did Not Love Me Black

by Bernie Saunders, Barry Meisel

Shut Out is a hockey love story. But it was a love that was unrequited Bernie Saunders always had a passion for hockey. His prodigious talent was on display at all levels for everyone to see. But because he was Black, he was stymied at every turn and experienced nothing but taunting from opponents, spectators, coaches and even his own teammates. Despite this malevolence, Saunders continued to play, adopting a style akin to that of the historic house slave: serve but remain invisible. Signed by the Quebec Nordiques, he played with them for two years but spent most of his career playing collegiate hockey at Western Michigan University and in the minor leagues in Canada and the US. Eventually, the strain became too much for him. Dogged and overwhelmed by racism, he left hockey to work in the corporate sector. This is a memoir about professional hockey by a player who had the potential to become a star but was blocked at almost every opportunity because of his race. In spite of this, Shut Out is a hopeful and uplifting book about facing adversity, overcoming it and moving ahead. Woven throughout the pages is Saunders’s love of his family, especially his brother, John, who died at sixty-one. Now retired, Bernie Saunders is still sought out by the hockey community for his sage observations and invaluable advice.

Genres: Hockey, Memoir, Sports

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 19, 2021

Reviews

[Mark Medland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and uneven read. While I wanted to give it a 3 stars because some of the game and season recaps get a little tedious, I appreciated the fact that Saunders’ was willing to call out just how truly white and conservative the NHL was and is. The fact that the second Black NHL player was not until over 15 years after O’Ree is truly upsetting. Overall, a much better and thorough book that the Willie O’Ree book. I truly hope that Saunders’ inspires other players of colour to tell their stories.

[Art McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very insightful look from someone who had endured so much from a game he loved yet did not let it define him. I was left with the impression he is a way better human being than he was a hockey player and his story is far from finished !

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ordinary man writes about a sadly ordinary world of micro-aggressions and flat out racism. He does show evidence of the world moving forward....but too slowly. Lots to think about. (Just a bit too much hockey for me)

[Enid Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating story, one that makes me angry that he had to live this experience. This is the hockey that I grew up on - that I can relate to - and it pains me to know what was going on behind the scenes.

I did appreciate his acknowledgement, right off the top in an Author’s Note, about the fact that this is a work of memory and he is not trying to pass anything off as ‘verbatim’ or definitive. On the other hand, he mentions that he did confirm memories - by finding press clippings - where possible, but while he includes some additional information - as Appendices - and has a fulsome Index… there are no references, which seems a very odd omission to me. I would have liked to have been able to go back to some of his original source materials.

FYI.. I read this in hard copy, but there doesn’t appear to be a GoodReads entry for the ‘real’ - physical - title.

[Shauna Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit, I had never heard of Bernie Saunders before he wrote this memoir and I have a much better understanding of why that was, now that I have read it. I was saddened to hear that Bernie was not able to stay in the NHL due to racism. I will say, he is much better at taking the high road than I am, I would have named all the names of the people that had no problem hurting me in public and private. I am glad that he was able to find a fulfilling career and that he shared his story of his road to the NHL and his life after that dream ended.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. Probably top five of my favourite hockey books of all time. He did come across as cocky (which he addressed), but it wasn't bragging, if that makes sense. I thought there were too many excerpts from newspaper/magazine articles, which kept it from being a perfect five, but still a great read. Also, including some history of other black players really puts a lot of things into perspective.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw Bernie play in Kalamazoo during the 81/82 season. And he should've been playing NHL Hockey. Be that as it may Bernie takes you on the journey with him. I've been going to and playing hockey for 45 years. And I'll never forget how hard of a checker Bernie was. One guy for Toledo I bet still feels it today as Bernie checked him into the Right wing boards. The player didn't wear a helmet...until after Bernie delivered that bone crunching hit

[Carole Hawes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bernie's story was quite interesting and opened my eyes to the amount of pain that is caused by our prejudices. I'm ashamed that it still exists to this day.
I found there was too much hockey talk but I guess I should have expected it and I did find it all very interesting being a hockey fan.

[Howie · Rating 5 out of 5]

could not put this book down. truly unbelievable what humans are capable of towards fellow humans. thanks for sharing Mr. Bernie Saunders. 👍🏽👍🏻👏👏👏🏾👏🏾

[Calvin Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 sad in many ways but enlightening too.

[Dave Cottenie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernie Saunders is an Interesting figure in sports. More well known as the brother of Jahn Saunders than his own athletic career, it seems that Saunders is at odds with how his career turned out. It seems that this is almost a sequel to John Saunders’ book, which is frequently referred to. His references were o other black hockey players and their history raised the significance of this book.