Small Town Leadership

I’ve had my eye on Lorna Schultz Nicholson’s new middle grade novel Taking The Ice for a while but truth be told I was hesitant about reading another hockey book. Sometimes I feel like, living in Canada, there are a TON of hockey books out there and they all follow a similar pattern so if I’m going to read a hockey story, I looking for something a little different. Lorna Shultz Nicholson generously sent a copy along for my honest thoughts and I got completely caught up in the story. 

Aiden has just had to move back to small town Canada from Florida where his dad was playing in the NHL. A tragedy and an ailing grandfather have brought him back to his parents home town along with all the baggage that comes with being an NHL player’s son. Aiden has to find his way on a new team, in a new town and try to come to grips with his grieving.

There are many elements of the story that set it apart. The incredible descriptions of on the ice action are captivating. I was brought back to my youth playing hockey in a small town with all the sensations of being out on the ice. Lorna’s descriptions bring readers right out onto the ice with the players. I truly appreciated all of Aiden’s inner dialogue, the manifestation of his anxiety. It felt really natural and authentic. We all have an inner dialogue that can trip us up sometimes and I think readers will be comforted to read the voices in Aiden’s head are similar to the ones floating around their own.

There were some interesting side characters as well. The intense hockey dad, flying off the handle and thinking he knows better than the coaches. Anyone who has been around a rink has met this guy, hopefully he is becoming extinct these days! I really loved Ned and the relationship that was built between him and Aiden and alluded to between Aiden’s father and Ned in their younger days. Many small town rinks have a Ned, a person who has spent what feels like their whole life around the building, taking care of the space and the ice. Sure they are making a living but with Ned it felt like it was more of a calling than a job. I worked for similar people in the days I spent as a rink rat in my hometown.

Finally, I love that Lorna Schultz Nicholson included both male and female players on the team and created a narrative where the women were just as valued as the men. With more girls playing hockey and many only being able to do so on mixed teams, it is important for female hockey players to see themselves on these teams and be empowered to be leaders. 

If you have a reader who LOVES hockey, this is a great book to offer. There are incredible examples of sportsmanship and the way a team should operate.