Ice Time : A Canadian Hockey Journey

by Scott Russell

In Ice Time, Hockey Night host Scott Russell gives book time not to the professional stars, but to the supporting cast that forms the game's national backbone and gives hockey its Canadian character. As Russell movingly writes, "The roots of hockey are found deep in the Canadian soil, and while harvesting takes place at the NHL level, the cultivation has occurred much closer to home. All the great ones are in agreement: the game unfolds beyond the surface and so much transpires because of unsung heroes--those who provide the foundation and make the precious ice time possible in the first place." Who are these people? They are people like former NHL player Lorne Davis, who now scours the rinks of Saskatchewan in hopes of discovering the next Gretzky, Orr, Howe, or Hull. Or Angela James, long a stalwart of the national women's team, who was denied the chance to play growing up in the '70s simply because she was a girl. Or Bob Ridley, who doubles as radio voice and driver for the Medicine Hat Tigers. Or Andy Sullivan, the can't-miss kid from Newfoundland who preferred to stay home, find a job, and play hockey with the guys rather than chase professional glory. The one nod to the NHL is Ron Ellis, Russell's own boyhood idol. He appealingly bookends Ice Time with companion pieces on the former Maple Leaf, opening with a look back at what Ellis meant to him growing up and closing with an affectionate reminiscence of finally meeting his hero.

As Ice Time's subtitle implies, this is a Canadian journey, one that shifts easily from coast to coast, and cities to towns. Told with grace and craft, they move and inspire. More importantly, they help us understand how a sport can capture a nation's heart, and why some sticks and a puck mean so much to us. --Jeff Silverman

Genres: Hockey, Sports

334 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tells some stories that you won’t find elsewhere.

[Victor Saville · Rating 3 out of 5]

above average hockey book with an interesting approach from all angles so quite a bit of off-ice commentary.