Book Cover

More proof that the players here have a different mindset from any other team I've ever been associated with. The charter from Yaroslav arrived home at three-thirty in the morning, Magnitogorsk time. We had just won two important games on the road. It was minus six outside and we told the guys that it was a good news/bad news day. The good news was we weren't going on the ice first thing in the morning. The bad news was we were going on a six-kilometre run outside, followed by an afternoon in the gym to do weights. No one blinked when they heard. No one complained. No one said anything. In some ways, I sensed they were grateful that at least they didn't have to skate. It's my fifth month here and I still find myself approaching these decisions from the point of view of a North American coach. I think: Boy, are these guys going to be peeved when they hear this. Then you walk in and they're getting changed into their running gear and it's Ho-hum, we're going outside for a run today in the cold.

# Review

This book is a memoir by the famed Canadian hockey coach Dave King on his experiences coaching Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Russian Super League (precursor to the KHL). The book details the culture shock of living in Russia, of being the first American/Canadian coach of a Russian team, and of the contrast between Russian hockey compared to Western hockey.

The book gives an intimate account of what it was like living in Russia during the mid-2000s, including the wide wealth disparities and the issues which we do not think about living in Canada, such as the lack of produce in grocery stores. I especially enjoyed reading about Russian hockey, which tends to be a much more physical game than North American hockey, and about the Russian players, who each have their own quirks but face their challenges with a stoicism stereotypical of the Russian culture.

King was very candid in this book, giving detailed accounts of the conditions of playing hockey in Russia (cold MacDonald’s for post-game meals) and of his role in changing the face of hockey, such as pioneering hiring retired NHL players and giving Evgeni Malkin advice to enter the NHL as soon as possible.

# Conclusion

While the book isn’t particularly deep, it makes for an entertaining read.

# Overall rating: 7.8

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