Valmore James

Valmore James first put on a pair of ice skates at the age of 13 - an age when most future hockey players were being scouted for the minor/major leagues. He was also the first Black American to play in the NHL - at a time when the NHL had only approx. 5% American players. He faced constant racial taunting, predominantly from opposing team fans, but also from players. He responded by using his rage at the racism to pound opposing team enforcers into submission.
If you are not a hockey fan, and a fan of fighting in hockey this book is probably not for you. I am not a fan of fighting but I know it has always been a part of the game, and that amongst players there is a code of conduct -which not all adhere to - James did, he fought by the rules.
James' role in the game was to be the Enforcer, to fight. It was not something he enjoyed, and he was known to be a fair fighter, one who never took a dirty shot or fought to injure.

The book recounts his story, how he came to learn to skate and play hockey, how he made his way up to the NHL (and down), and what it was like to be an Enforcer. It touches on the friendships he made amongst other players, coaches and referees. It touches on life away from home, being billeted with hometown families, on being hailed as a hometown hero and what it was like on the road. It does not really offer a lot of insight into any of these aspects of the life of a hockey player, just some anecdotes. James played with some players who became well known in the hockey world, but he does not really talk about them very much. he does talk about some well known coaches, notably Mike Keenan and John Brophy.

Some reviewers here have complained about how he wrote about encounters with women/groupies which I found funny, because he really writes so little about this and when he does it is never in detail at all - as another reviewer mentioned, it felt like he was protecting his wife and family by not disclosing any real info about what surely happened!

The tales of racism in small town USA and Canada reminded me of similar stories (fictional) told in one of my favorite books - [b:Indian Horse|11994903|Indian Horse|Richard Wagamese|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327688060s/11994903.jpg|16959031]. The fact that is was (still) happening in the 70's - 80's is just so sad and infuriating. The fact that it happens now - (to P.K Subban and other non-white NHL players) is reprehensible.

James is not a gifted writer but he has a unique story to tell; about hockey and racism. At the end he looks back at how he handled his anger at the slurs and catcalls (and worse) and comes to terms with his response and how it factored into his life in the game. He only fought on the ice, and was otherwise known as an upstanding guy.

A quick interesting read.… (mehr)