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Marián Hossa: My Journey from Trencín to the Hall of Fame
A Stanley Cup champion and modern legend of the game, in his own words
MariÁn Hossa's life is a lesson in the value of determination and perseverance. Born into a hockey family that included his father, a former player and coach of the Slovakian national team, MariÁn and his brother, Marcel, quickly fell in love with the sport. Before long, they began to display the level of skill that could lead to a professional career. But the odds of reaching the NHL from TrenčÍn, a town of 50,000 people nestled among the mountains of Slovakia, remained long.
Determined to follow their dreams, the Hossas persevered and were each eventually drafted in the first round. After some outstanding years in Ottawa and Atlanta, MariÁn moved on to Pittsburgh in 2008, where he helped lead the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Final against Detroit, a series his team lost.
Prioritizing winning over dollars, Hossa signed with the Red Wings the following season, where he again reached the Final only to find heartbreak again, improbably against the team he had just left, the Penguins. It seemed that perhaps he would never raise Lord Stanley's Cup above his head.
But Hossa persevered, refusing to give in. In 2009, he signed with the Chicago Blackhawks, and played a key role in the team's dynastic run the following decade, winning championships in 2010, 2013, and 2015. Then, yet another obstacle appeared in his an unusual and debilitating skin condition that compelled him to retire years before he'd planned.
In this inspiring and entertaining autobiography, Hossa brings readers inside the dressing room, onto the celebratory team plane, and alongside one of hockey's greatest stars as he makes the biggest decisions of his career.
Also featuring photos from Hossa's personal collection, this is an essential read for all hockey fans.
MariÁn Hossa's life is a lesson in the value of determination and perseverance. Born into a hockey family that included his father, a former player and coach of the Slovakian national team, MariÁn and his brother, Marcel, quickly fell in love with the sport. Before long, they began to display the level of skill that could lead to a professional career. But the odds of reaching the NHL from TrenčÍn, a town of 50,000 people nestled among the mountains of Slovakia, remained long.
Determined to follow their dreams, the Hossas persevered and were each eventually drafted in the first round. After some outstanding years in Ottawa and Atlanta, MariÁn moved on to Pittsburgh in 2008, where he helped lead the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Final against Detroit, a series his team lost.
Prioritizing winning over dollars, Hossa signed with the Red Wings the following season, where he again reached the Final only to find heartbreak again, improbably against the team he had just left, the Penguins. It seemed that perhaps he would never raise Lord Stanley's Cup above his head.
But Hossa persevered, refusing to give in. In 2009, he signed with the Chicago Blackhawks, and played a key role in the team's dynastic run the following decade, winning championships in 2010, 2013, and 2015. Then, yet another obstacle appeared in his an unusual and debilitating skin condition that compelled him to retire years before he'd planned.
In this inspiring and entertaining autobiography, Hossa brings readers inside the dressing room, onto the celebratory team plane, and alongside one of hockey's greatest stars as he makes the biggest decisions of his career.
Also featuring photos from Hossa's personal collection, this is an essential read for all hockey fans.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 8, 2022
29 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 3, 2024
Mariánovi Hossovi by som dal 4/5 a mám voči nemu úctu a obdiv, ale tejto knihe dávam 2/5, respektíve 4/10. Táto kniha nefunguje. Jej jediné pozitívum je že sa číta rýchlo a ľahko ale aj to len preto, že text v nej je jednoduchý, písmenká veľké a obrázkov kopu. Ako v detskej knihe.
To, že to nefunguje, je najlepšie vidno na storytellingu, ktorý je nesúrodý a chaotický. Hoci sa snaží držať základnú chronológiu, nedarí sa to, a často to skáče od výhier k začiatkom, od konca kariéry k mladosti. Snaží sa to byť zároveň tematické, ale tým témam chýba hĺbka a tak sa len rozoberú tie isté udalosti z mierne inej (ale nie veľmi obohacujúcej) perspektívy. Neprináša to veľa nového, inovatívneho alebo zaujímavého. Prerozprávajú sa rovnaké príbehy niekoľkokrát, vyjadrí sa emócia, ktorú vtedy zúčastnení cítili (prekvapivo, pozitívne emócie pri výhrach a negatívne pri prehrách) a tým to končí. Zachytenie niekoľko vtipných či zaujímavých momentov to zachraňuje.
Prečo to nefunguje, sa ťažko odhaduje. Treba priznať, že hokejisti a športovci vo všeobecnosti sú málokedy zruční rečníci a myšlienky vyjadrujú väčšinou jednoducho a len máloktorý z nich vie dať dokopy súvislejšiu vetnú konštrukciu. Kniha vyšla v angličtine, čo obmedzuje vyjadrovacie schopnosti, keďže je to druhý jazyk autora. Preklad do slovenčiny tiež nefunguje, je krkolomný a anglické frázy ci hokejový slang sú často preložené bolestivo, a objavia sa aj logické protirečenia v rámci odstavca, lebo nuansy angličtiny sa asi stratili v preklade. Prečítať knihu v angličtine ma môže donútiť prehodnotiť hodnotenie, ale nateraz je výsledok takýto.
K Hossovi mám vysokú úctu, ale prínos tejto knihy je pochybný.
To, že to nefunguje, je najlepšie vidno na storytellingu, ktorý je nesúrodý a chaotický. Hoci sa snaží držať základnú chronológiu, nedarí sa to, a často to skáče od výhier k začiatkom, od konca kariéry k mladosti. Snaží sa to byť zároveň tematické, ale tým témam chýba hĺbka a tak sa len rozoberú tie isté udalosti z mierne inej (ale nie veľmi obohacujúcej) perspektívy. Neprináša to veľa nového, inovatívneho alebo zaujímavého. Prerozprávajú sa rovnaké príbehy niekoľkokrát, vyjadrí sa emócia, ktorú vtedy zúčastnení cítili (prekvapivo, pozitívne emócie pri výhrach a negatívne pri prehrách) a tým to končí. Zachytenie niekoľko vtipných či zaujímavých momentov to zachraňuje.
Prečo to nefunguje, sa ťažko odhaduje. Treba priznať, že hokejisti a športovci vo všeobecnosti sú málokedy zruční rečníci a myšlienky vyjadrujú väčšinou jednoducho a len máloktorý z nich vie dať dokopy súvislejšiu vetnú konštrukciu. Kniha vyšla v angličtine, čo obmedzuje vyjadrovacie schopnosti, keďže je to druhý jazyk autora. Preklad do slovenčiny tiež nefunguje, je krkolomný a anglické frázy ci hokejový slang sú často preložené bolestivo, a objavia sa aj logické protirečenia v rámci odstavca, lebo nuansy angličtiny sa asi stratili v preklade. Prečítať knihu v angličtine ma môže donútiť prehodnotiť hodnotenie, ale nateraz je výsledok takýto.
K Hossovi mám vysokú úctu, ale prínos tejto knihy je pochybný.
January 6, 2024
Po rozpačitom úvode to bolo v druhej polovici lepšie. Taký štandard medzi autobiografiami športovcov. Nehodnotím Mariána ako osobnosť a športovca, to by bolo bez rozmýšľania na 5 hviezdičiek. Bohužiaľ dojem kazí veľmi rozpačitý a neprirodzený preklad a mimoriadne veľa preklepov a chybičiek. Naozaj si to radšej prečítajte v originále. 311 strán tlačíme výraz obojstranný hráč, aby sme na strane 312 konečne použili two way forward. Nie som žiaden pedant, ale chýb, preklepov, chýbajúcej interpunkcie je tam strašne veľa. Viem, že si Marián dal na tejto knihe záležať, keď však mnoho odborníkov na Slovensku funguje v režime jednooký medzi slepými, tak to dopadne tak, že knihu o jednom z najlepších slovenských športovcov v histórii je lepšie čítať po anglicky.
January 14, 2025
You can tell English isn’t his first language from reading Hossa’s book but I didn’t really mind that. I did find he jumps all over the place sometimes though. As an fan of the Ottawa Senators though and being able to watch Hossa start in Ottawa up close and to follow his career after his trade to Atlanta and this his stops in Pittsburgh and Detroit and finally winning the Cup in Chicago it was fun hearing about all that from his perspective. I also really enjoyed that he included other people to tell stories about him from Sidney Crosby, Marion Gaborik. Really loved the tribute to Pavol Demitra
July 13, 2023
Po vypočutí podcastu o Zdenkovi Charovi som si povedala že sa nechám nahovoriť na prečítanie tejto knižky. Číta sa ľahko, je v nej dušička a srdiečko Mariána Hossu. Rozumiem, prečo sa T. Toľko smial, keď tuto knihu čítal. Nasajete z nej kopec inšpirácie a motivácie, zistite že chalanko je poctivka so silným príbehom. Kniha je doplnená okrem vlastného pohľadu aj pohľadom najbližších čo z nej robí skutočne dobre dielo. Veľmi odporúčam 👏🏻👏🏻
April 28, 2023
I really liked this book but I love Hossa. If you're a Hossa and/or Blackhawks fan you will enjoy this book. Learned a few things about Hoss, learned a few things about hockey, and further cemented my opinion about what a great person he actually is.
December 2, 2022
Great great book !!!
November 20, 2022
This is a very entertaining autobiography (sort of) about someone often described as "the perfect hockey player". Marian Hossa's life story is not told chronologically in this book, which is good. Instead, it goes from topic to topic, highlighting the most important and interesting points in Hossa's life and hockey career. Hossa's story is told in the first person, aided by veteran hockey writer Scott Powers, and is augmented by interviews with many noteworthy hockey figures, like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Sidney Crosby and Zdeno Chara.
As a hockey fan and a (former) Blackhawk season ticketholder, I was concerned going into the reading of this book that I might not learn anything I didn't already know. Those concerns were unfounded. Lots of new and fascinating information is contained in this book. In particular, the series of events that saw Hossa bounce from the Atlanta Thrashers to the Pittsburgh Penguins (for less than one year) to the Detroit Red Wings (for one year) before finally settling in with the Blackhawks is well-chronicled. Particularly amusing was how Hossa bargained for less money than he was offered in his one-year deal with Detroit.
The public never knew about the skin condition problems that Hossa suffered from for several years until he suddenly announced his retirement. Hossa goes into great detail explaining the problem and how he tried to solve it and how it was investigated when there was suspicion that the retirement was a case of the Blackhawks manipulating salary cap restrictions.
Hossa was a member of all three Chicago Stanley Cup championship teams (2010, 2013, 2015). The 2010 season was the one where the Kyle Beach scandal occurred. This scandal, exposed 10+ years later, shook up the Blackhawks organization, costing several high-level people their jobs. I wondered if Hossa would get into this and he did, very briefly, near the end of this book. Though brief, he made a strong statement.
Most importantly, this book helped the reader learn how Hossa achieved his greatness on and off the ice. He was a beloved player by Blackhawk fans and , coincidentally, I am attending the game this evening where his #81 jersey is being retired by the team.
As a hockey fan and a (former) Blackhawk season ticketholder, I was concerned going into the reading of this book that I might not learn anything I didn't already know. Those concerns were unfounded. Lots of new and fascinating information is contained in this book. In particular, the series of events that saw Hossa bounce from the Atlanta Thrashers to the Pittsburgh Penguins (for less than one year) to the Detroit Red Wings (for one year) before finally settling in with the Blackhawks is well-chronicled. Particularly amusing was how Hossa bargained for less money than he was offered in his one-year deal with Detroit.
The public never knew about the skin condition problems that Hossa suffered from for several years until he suddenly announced his retirement. Hossa goes into great detail explaining the problem and how he tried to solve it and how it was investigated when there was suspicion that the retirement was a case of the Blackhawks manipulating salary cap restrictions.
Hossa was a member of all three Chicago Stanley Cup championship teams (2010, 2013, 2015). The 2010 season was the one where the Kyle Beach scandal occurred. This scandal, exposed 10+ years later, shook up the Blackhawks organization, costing several high-level people their jobs. I wondered if Hossa would get into this and he did, very briefly, near the end of this book. Though brief, he made a strong statement.
Most importantly, this book helped the reader learn how Hossa achieved his greatness on and off the ice. He was a beloved player by Blackhawk fans and , coincidentally, I am attending the game this evening where his #81 jersey is being retired by the team.
April 23, 2024
Hossa je môj najobľúbenejší hokejista od detstva, ale táto kniha bola literárna pohroma.
3 hviezdičky sú fakt len za oživenie spomienok na moje teenage roky, keď som Hossu po nociach sledovala v NHL a za fotky, tie boli fajn. A aj tie 3 hviezdičky sú extrémne veľkorysé. Keby na obálke nebol Hossa, skončím na 15. strane a dávam 1 hviezdičku, tak zle napísanú/preloženú knihu som nevidela už dávno.
Dej (Hossov život) sa sledovať nedá, lebo skáčeme v čase a priestore 30 rokov sem, 30 rokov tam, 10 000 km sem, 10 000 km tam, polovicu času som sa snažila zorientovať, kde som. Stále mi nie je jasné, či to bol rozhovor, biografia, prúd vedomia, voľná tvorba... Niektoré časti sú napísané ako doslovný prepis Hossovho voľného rozprávania (kde sa 7x zamotal), niektoré časti sú proste náhodné fakty z jeho života, potom je tam fakt rozhovor s niekým z príbuzných/kamarátov. Dosť hot mess, chcelo to ešte hodne editovania. A moje úplne najobľúbenejšie sú časti, ktoré vyzerajú ako, keď som na 4. hodine nemčiny opisovala svoju rodinu za použitia všetkých 15 slov, ktoré som sa zatiaľ naučila (viď úryvok nižšie). Akože okej, možno Hossa nie je práve rétor, ale asi preto si to nepísal sám. Novinári, ktorí to akože písali (prekladali) si mali spraviť svoju prácu, lebo toto je na úrovni speech to text AI ktorá chvíľu Hossu počúvala...
"Máme psa. Vlastne, už som mal niekoľkých psov. Raz som mal weimarského stavača. Prezývajú ich aj siví duchovia. Bol to skôr lovecký pes, ale nádherný. V Atlante sme si s Jankou kúpili anglického buldoga. Volal sa Bono, som totiž fanúšik U2, je to skvelá kapela. V Chicagu som bol na ich koncerte na štadióne Soldier Field. Bol to úžasný zážitok. Náš Bono bol milý bezstarostný pes. Teraz máme dalšieho psa rasu Cavapoo. Volá sa Gina. Vybrali si ju deti. Je to menší pes. Máme ho z Maďarska. Zábavné je, že prišla na svet v rovnaký deň, ako ma uviedli do Siene slávy, teda 24. júna 2020. Myslím, že Gina mala od začiatku byť naša."
3 hviezdičky sú fakt len za oživenie spomienok na moje teenage roky, keď som Hossu po nociach sledovala v NHL a za fotky, tie boli fajn. A aj tie 3 hviezdičky sú extrémne veľkorysé. Keby na obálke nebol Hossa, skončím na 15. strane a dávam 1 hviezdičku, tak zle napísanú/preloženú knihu som nevidela už dávno.
Dej (Hossov život) sa sledovať nedá, lebo skáčeme v čase a priestore 30 rokov sem, 30 rokov tam, 10 000 km sem, 10 000 km tam, polovicu času som sa snažila zorientovať, kde som. Stále mi nie je jasné, či to bol rozhovor, biografia, prúd vedomia, voľná tvorba... Niektoré časti sú napísané ako doslovný prepis Hossovho voľného rozprávania (kde sa 7x zamotal), niektoré časti sú proste náhodné fakty z jeho života, potom je tam fakt rozhovor s niekým z príbuzných/kamarátov. Dosť hot mess, chcelo to ešte hodne editovania. A moje úplne najobľúbenejšie sú časti, ktoré vyzerajú ako, keď som na 4. hodine nemčiny opisovala svoju rodinu za použitia všetkých 15 slov, ktoré som sa zatiaľ naučila (viď úryvok nižšie). Akože okej, možno Hossa nie je práve rétor, ale asi preto si to nepísal sám. Novinári, ktorí to akože písali (prekladali) si mali spraviť svoju prácu, lebo toto je na úrovni speech to text AI ktorá chvíľu Hossu počúvala...
"Máme psa. Vlastne, už som mal niekoľkých psov. Raz som mal weimarského stavača. Prezývajú ich aj siví duchovia. Bol to skôr lovecký pes, ale nádherný. V Atlante sme si s Jankou kúpili anglického buldoga. Volal sa Bono, som totiž fanúšik U2, je to skvelá kapela. V Chicagu som bol na ich koncerte na štadióne Soldier Field. Bol to úžasný zážitok. Náš Bono bol milý bezstarostný pes. Teraz máme dalšieho psa rasu Cavapoo. Volá sa Gina. Vybrali si ju deti. Je to menší pes. Máme ho z Maďarska. Zábavné je, že prišla na svet v rovnaký deň, ako ma uviedli do Siene slávy, teda 24. júna 2020. Myslím, že Gina mala od začiatku byť naša."
January 12, 2023
Reading this book felt like talking to Marian. That means sit down for a conversation, don't expect proper grammar and writing style. This guy has had a cool life and it was really interesting hearing all about it and hearing his thoughts on all the pivotal moments. I remember when we heard about his retirement and were in shock. It seemed a bit shady at the time because we didn't know about his skin condition. It was both gratifying to know there was nothing shady going on and horrifying to hear about what he went through for so long. He definitely did the right thing in retiring. Best wishes to this legend of hockey!
March 11, 2024
A very enjoyable read for a longtime Blackhawks fan. While this is a typical sports autobiography - it did allow you to get to know more about Marian Hossa - in his own words and from those closest to him. I came away with the thought that Hossa is all about doing things the right way - how he trained, how he played the game, how he interacted with teammates, friends and family. Hard work and virtue seem to be his calling card. I especially enjoyed the sections where friends, teammates and family members spoke to his co-author, Scott Powers, to give their perspective on Marian and his approach to life. A must read for any hockey fan.
November 6, 2024
I haven't been the best hockey fan lately, but I liked watching Hossa during his brief time in Detroit. I don't know - I respect the person and the player (and some of his stories), but the read was just OK. There are only so many ways to say "great person, loved the game, worked hard, fun to be around" etc. (and that was delivered a lot, and in both directions - from his friends/teammates to him and vice versa.) Glad his career and family life has worked out great. Recommended for hockey fans, and if you don't like it, it doesn't waste too much time.
May 7, 2024
Marian Hossa was definitely one of the greats! His skills and work ethic put him there. His life’s journey was exceptional, and highlighted the rewards for putting in the hard work.
The book was a bit of a disappointment as I found it choppy in its format and very repetitious. I did not finish the book as it became a bit of a labor to me.
As a Chicago Blackhawks fan, Marian was instrumental in their Stanley Cup run. He earned his place on the Cup!
The book was a bit of a disappointment as I found it choppy in its format and very repetitious. I did not finish the book as it became a bit of a labor to me.
As a Chicago Blackhawks fan, Marian was instrumental in their Stanley Cup run. He earned his place on the Cup!
November 30, 2022
An incredible story about Marian Hossa and his internal persistence to be the best version of himself each and every day as a professional.
This book gives you a peak into Hossa's mind during some of his toughest decisions as one of the NHL's best players, ultimately leading him to more success than anyone would have ever dreamed.
This book gives you a peak into Hossa's mind during some of his toughest decisions as one of the NHL's best players, ultimately leading him to more success than anyone would have ever dreamed.
January 29, 2023
"Slabota" a very weak impression from this book. I was not expecting a highly intellectual book, but honestly, if you compare this to the biography of Peter Sagan or The Secret Race, this one is a couple of levels below. Some stories were nice, but there was so much more potential in this book. Not recommended
January 19, 2024
Really enjoyed this book. Skimmed over the Penguins and Red Wings stuff because I just didn't care. But the rest of it was great. Lots of great nuggets and don't want to give anything away but the stuff on the skin condition was crazy! I didn't know it was THAT bad. Yikes.
Must-read for hockey, Blackhawks, and especially Hossa fans.
Must-read for hockey, Blackhawks, and especially Hossa fans.
May 10, 2025
More like 2.5
It was interesting to read book about Slovak player in english (I am Slovak) and unfortunately it whows that he is non native english speaker.
It was little bit chaotic, lot of jumping between places/situations .... and honestly it was not that deep - there wer just basig emotions, basic descriptions.
But still, I love hockey, so either way I enjoyed it.
It was interesting to read book about Slovak player in english (I am Slovak) and unfortunately it whows that he is non native english speaker.
It was little bit chaotic, lot of jumping between places/situations .... and honestly it was not that deep - there wer just basig emotions, basic descriptions.
But still, I love hockey, so either way I enjoyed it.
January 3, 2023
A nice memoir from one of my all time favorite Blackhawks. An easy read from an easy going but very disciplined man. Glad I got to see him play so many times in his career. A true two way player and was rightfully a first ballot HOF’er.
January 18, 2023
A Christmas gift from my wife (thanks, my love!) Took a while to read because of the holidays and movies to watch, etc. An interesting enough memoir by one of the best hockey players in the last 15 years whose career was cut short by a rare skin condition.
November 17, 2023
Not particularly well-written, but still fun to revisit the 2010, 2013, and 2015 Blackhawks. Cool to learn a little more about his career before the Hawks, including his back-to-back Stanley Cup losses with the Penguins and Red Wings, respectively. Seems like a great guy all around.
February 28, 2024
Je to ako rozhovor s priateľom pri pive. Veľmi prirodzené, úprimné, oddychové. Ako jediné negatívum knihy je, že chyba akákoľvek štatistika. Stačila by jedna strana na konci. Koľko, kde a kedy hral. Ale je to super športová biografia.
January 5, 2026
Marian Hossa was one of my favorite players when he played with the Sens, so it was great to read his stories. Not well written but understandable when English is not your 1st language. Still a really good book! Great to read as a hockey fan
January 15, 2023
Good as a biography of a person/subject you're interested in - lots of short one-off stories.
January 18, 2023
One of my all-time favorite players, so of course I had to read his book.
January 25, 2023
Nice insight from Hall of Famer on his career decisions and stories of Cup Championships.
February 8, 2023
Marián Hossa was my favorite player before the book, and this book only made me adore him even more.
February 28, 2023
This is a great book for any Hawks fan to read. Hossa is such an interesting, chill, down-to-earth guy and Scott Powers was really able to help him bring to life some great stories from his career.
March 14, 2023
4.5 - My all time favorite player, truly a pleasure to read about everything that went into his career.
June 1, 2023
What a classy guy and great player. I enjoyed reading about his career from a young age, his family, his teammates. A remarkable nan.
July 9, 2023
Great read for any Blackhawks fan who knows of Hoss. Such a humbled and down to earth guy
June 10, 2024
I might be biased, but the best autobiography of an athlete I have ever read. I wish I could re-read it again for the first time. Took me a day to read, because I couldn't put it down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews