All good stories have a soundtrack. At least that's the way my life feels. And this story, Memoir of a Hockey Nobody, has one, too. Author Jerry "Teabag" Hack shares his picks to accompany his book. You can also check out an excerpt and then follow the tour for more. Best of luck entering the giveaway!
Memoir of a Hockey Nobody is the unlikely true story of an average Canadian kid who grew up playing street hockey. Although he didn't learn how to skate until his late teens, he took a shot at entering the world of professional ice hockey with, shall we say, haphazard results.
This is an "against all odds" tale of one man's journey from Vancouver, to all over Western Canada, California, The Yukon, and Alaska. Seemingly blocked at every turn, from managers who believed that someone who came from such humble beginnings couldn't be any good, to coaches who would rather see big names with bigger reputations. It's a story of tragedy, triumph and determination. A roller coaster ride with hilarious anecdotes of all the characters he met along the way.
This is a tale for those who dare to live their dream!
Read an excerpt:
“I managed to figure out how to get my pads on over my skates, and then the rest of the equipment followed. The Zamboni took about ten years to get off the ice. The time came for me to make my debut. The definition of inauspicious is as follows: “showing or suggesting that future success is unlikely”. Inauspicious doesn’t even come close to describing my entrance to the game of ice hockey. When I stepped on the ice there was about a one-foot drop from the gate. I stepped down and tried to skate, but the equipment seemed like it weighed a ton and was toppling me over. The skates were not helping as there was no resistance under my toes. I fell over onto my hands and knees and needed help getting up. I’m sure the guys were all thinking that they got the one goalie in Vancouver who was worse than Lonnie.”
Buy Links
(affiliate link included)
Music Playlist for Memoir of a Hockey Nobody by Jerry “Teabag” Hack
I have been a music lover since the day I was born, so here are the songs that if my book was ever made into a movie, would comprise its soundtrack.
Chapter One: Marlene and The Canadiens (pronounced KANAdyenz)
“Please Mr. Postman” by The Marvelettes. It was the #1 song the day I was born, December 10, 1961. Apropos as the Doctor (the Postman in this scenario) delivered a healthy 7 lb. 13 oz. Baby boy.
“Draggin’ The Line” by Tommy James. 1971, the year I really got into watching the NHL and my passion for hockey and being a goalie started. Being a goalie, you are the last line of defense.
Chapter Two: The Move
1973 is the year I met Randy, who would be my best friend until his death in 1976 when I was 14.
“How Do You Do” by Mouth and MacNeil.
“Your My Best Friend” by Queen
“Don’t Pull Your Love” by Hamilton, Joe Frank, and Reynolds. Randy and I both loved this song. It was part of a K-Tel record that we played endlessly.
“Misty Blue” by Dorothy Moore. This was a hit song when Randy passed away and would always remind me of him. The lyrics don’t really work but the song always made me think of him. Even to this day, some 44 years later, I still have a tough time listening to this song.
Chapter 3: And the Band Played On, through to Chapter 11: The Golden Years
Spans from 1980, the year I started to play ice hockey, through to 1987 when I left to play Senior Hockey in Saskatchewan.
“Another Brick in the Wall” by Pink Floyd. As a goalie you are supposed to be “A Brick Wall”
“Call Me” by Blondie. I was constantly getting phone calls to come out and play. Somebody once referred to me as a “Hockey Whore” because I would play with anybody.
“Ride Like the Wind” by Christopher Cross. This song represents my rapid improvement and becoming a very good goalie during these years.
“Golden Years” by David Bowie.
“Heat of the Moment” by Asia. Would be played when my team won the league championship for the first time.
“Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi. When I left for Saskatchewan, I was throwing caution to the wind to live out my dream.
Chapter 12: Game Changer to Chapter 20: Domination
Spans 1987 when I left for Saskatchewan to 1991, the last year I was there.
“Wild Wild West” by The Escape Club. Technically I went East but never let facts get in the way of a good story. This song was huge in Saskatchewan in 1988.
“Every Rose has it’s Thorn” by Poison. This song represents my struggles in 1989 dealing with being relegated to the bench and not playing for the final two months of the season.
“Savin’ Myself” by Eria Fachin. This song was HUGE in Assiniboia, SK, but I never heard it anywhere else. Catchy tune that we always partied to.
“Unbelievable” by EMF. Represents my “redemption”, if you will, when during the following seasons I played a big part in my team winning 2 Provincial and League Championships in successive years.
Chapter 21: California Dreamin’
No brainer. “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and The Papas. No explanation needed.
Chapter 22: New Horizons to the Epilogue.
Spans 1991 to 1993. My time in Whitehorse, Yukon.
“North to Alaska” by Johnny Horton. Again, no explanation needed.
“Alive” by Pearl Jam. Pearl Jam exploded on the scene in 1991 and this was my favourite song.
“What’s Up” by 4 Non-Blondes. This song represents the end of my time in Whitehorse when the team left for the Canadian Championships and I was left behind in favour of another goalie the coaches liked better. The line where she screams “what’s going on?!” really states emphatically how I felt at the time.
And finally, the end of my “serious hockey” career would be played out to “Cats in the Cradle” by Ugly Kid Joe. This song represents my whole life to that point. From cradle to adulthood. When I had to get serious about life and look for a career outside of hockey and find a “real job”.
This was a really fun exercise. Thank you so much for indulging me. I hope you read and enjoy the book and have these songs running through your head as you are doing so. Thanks again.
Jerry Hack
No brainer. “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and The Papas. No explanation needed.
Chapter 22: New Horizons to the Epilogue.
Spans 1991 to 1993. My time in Whitehorse, Yukon.
“North to Alaska” by Johnny Horton. Again, no explanation needed.
“Alive” by Pearl Jam. Pearl Jam exploded on the scene in 1991 and this was my favourite song.
“What’s Up” by 4 Non-Blondes. This song represents the end of my time in Whitehorse when the team left for the Canadian Championships and I was left behind in favour of another goalie the coaches liked better. The line where she screams “what’s going on?!” really states emphatically how I felt at the time.
And finally, the end of my “serious hockey” career would be played out to “Cats in the Cradle” by Ugly Kid Joe. This song represents my whole life to that point. From cradle to adulthood. When I had to get serious about life and look for a career outside of hockey and find a “real job”.
This was a really fun exercise. Thank you so much for indulging me. I hope you read and enjoy the book and have these songs running through your head as you are doing so. Thanks again.
Jerry Hack
div>
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteI like the excerpt, sounds good.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDelete