Rating: 
Summary: Perfect Ice Conditions
Review: "The most ephemeral and intriguing aspect of hockey is its spontaneity; each rush down the ice blossoms into something different, a new constellation of passes and positioning that happens only once and then melts away, like a snowflake," writes Atkinson in this moving, hilarious and lovingly detailed story of a year in the working life of the Methuen (Massachusetts) High School hockey team. A gifted observer with an eye for character (as in, "Now, there's a character!"), he captures the players, coaches, school officals and parents around the team in living color and salty dialogue. In addition to that, he weaves in memories of his own time as a goalie for the same team 25 years earlier along with his hopes and dreams for his 5-year-old son Liam, whom he is just getting on the ice to participate in league hockey. The mix of spirited reporting and personal memoir, with its evident (but not sappy) love of the sport and everyone involved, is irresistible. For hockey fans, this is a must read. For those who love memoirs, this vivid chronicle of a place many have never been and may know nothing about is a beauty.
Rating: 
Summary: On Goal
Review: Atkinson does a nice job describing a time, place and experience.
His description of the shifting climes of Methuen since his HS
days are particularly insightful. Just when you are enjoying the
book, though, Atkinson tends to interject some borderline
self-promotional prattle about his own hockey stats or die-hard toughness. The stats are irrelevant, and the toughness, if relevant, should be self-evident.Overall on a scale of 1-10, a hat trick shy of perfect.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice Book for an OLD GUY!
Review: I can definitely identify with Atkinson's tale of high school hockey in working class Mass. I'm about his age, and my son also plays hockey - I played 3yrs HS in New York (cold part).
The locker room stuff is spot on, and the heart and soul of the kids comes across great. I little less about how he can still hang with the youngsters on the ice would have improved the book.
Also, Atkinson's parts with his son were touching, but he never mentions poor Liam's mom once in the book. I just kept wondering what happend to her that she never gets talked about.
Maybe another book for that one. If you have ever played high school hockey this is a MUST READ. It would also make a good screenplay, but Hollywood hates real hockey movies.
Rating:
Summary: Nice Book for an OLD GUY!
Review: I can definitely identify with Atkinson's tale of high school hockey in working class Mass. I'm about his age, and my son also plays hockey - I played 3yrs HS in New York (cold part).
The locker room stuff is spot on, and the heart and soul of the kids comes across great. I little less about how he can still hang with the youngsters on the ice would have improved the book.
Also, Atkinson's parts with his son were touching, but he never mentions poor Liam's mom once in the book. I just kept wondering what happend to her that she never gets talked about.
Maybe another book for that one. If you have ever played high school hockey this is a MUST READ. It would also make a good screenplay, but Hollywood hates real hockey movies.
Rating:
Summary: Rink Dreams
Review: I confess that I played very little hockey growing up. I live in HOCKEYTOWN and have been a part of the culture of hockey since the hey day of Gordie Howe and the boys. Most of my adult friends did play hockey. I hear their voices in the characters that populate Mr. Atkinson's fine, fine work. Mr. Atkinson follows the trials and tribulations of a high school hockey team in a Massachusetts town. I coach high school age boys and Mr. Atkinson has got it right. From the stale smell of a high school locker room to the angst of young love. I appreciated his attention to detail. In one chapter he describes small town life while on a run through town. This was perfect. There have been many fine books written about high school sports ("Friday Night Lights", "Fall River Dreams", "In These Girls the Heart is A Muscle") "Ice Time" has joined the club.
Rating:
Summary: Worthy of Conn Smythe Trophy
Review: I don't really know what the Conn Smythe Trophy is- only hear them mention it during hockey highlights on TV. I never played hockey and I'm not a huge fan of the sport. But I am big fan of this book. What 40-ish guy hasn't thought that he could go out and still compete with high school athletes? One could say Ice Time is a nostalgic look at the past (Atkinson's HS memories), or a hopeful look into the future (his son's), but I say it is about being present. That is appreciating who and where you are at the moment. Slowing life down an focusing on the present. There's lots of references to memories and how things come back to us, how much happens that seems significant at the time, but we never get the satisfaction of remembering it because it gets wiped from our brains. Chapter 25 where J.A. describes a Xmas eve jog around his childhood neighborhood is a great example. This whole chapter is masterful writing. Most of the book is. He slips into vain self-indulgence as he describes all the goals he scores and cheerleaders he dates but the good parts make it well worth it. In many of the hockey game descriptions, I had to skip ahead because I couldn't wait to see if the Rangers won or lost the game. 4 3/4 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Worthy of Conn Smythe Trophy
Review: I don't really know what the Conn Smythe Trophy is- only hear them mention it during hockey highlights on TV. I never played hockey and I'm not a huge fan of the sport. But I am big fan of this book. What 40-ish guy hasn't thought that he could go out and still compete with high school athletes? One could say Ice Time is a nostalgic look at the past (Atkinson's HS memories), or a hopeful look into the future (his son's), but I say it is about being present. That is appreciating who and where you are at the moment. Slowing life down an focusing on the present. There's lots of references to memories and how things come back to us, how much happens that seems significant at the time, but we never get the satisfaction of remembering it because it gets wiped from our brains. Chapter 25 where J.A. describes a Xmas eve jog around his childhood neighborhood is a great example. This whole chapter is masterful writing. Most of the book is. He slips into vain self-indulgence as he describes all the goals he scores and cheerleaders he dates but the good parts make it well worth it. In many of the hockey game descriptions, I had to skip ahead because I couldn't wait to see if the Rangers won or lost the game. 4 3/4 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Good despite all the hockey...
Review: I enjoyed this book for the local New England flavor more than the hockey theme. My one complaint-Ozzy Osbourne's name is spelled incorrectly. Anyway, it's still an entertaining book.
Rating:
Summary: Recaptured
Review: I played hockey for 14 years in Amesbury. Infact, I was the captain of the Amesbury squad that defeats Methuen on page 214. I was a teammate of Chris Cagliuso (Methuen's star) and Jason Trovato on the Valley Junior Warriors from 1990 to 1993 (ages 9 to 11). I could not resist purchasing and reading a book "so close to home." Now in college, I have been detached from the rink since 2000. However, my spirit and the splendor of being at the rink has been recaptured because of this book. The moments that seem insignificant during a high school hockey season are acknowledged by Atkinson - moments that, in reality, are so important, and experiences that I can relate to...the atmosphere of the locker room for example. Participating in a high school sports season is a wonderful experience - one that I enjoyed as a player, and now enjoy as a fan, a reporter, and a coach. Atkinson captures the essence of a high school season, particularly a hockey season. I appreciate his work, and thank him for rekindling so many feelings of my past on the ice and at the rink through his account of the Methuen players. By the way, that Ryan Fontaine delivered a cheap shot on me when I was a junior. Also, my father is the "paunchy fellow" Atkinson describes on page 213. My father, a colonel, did not appreciate the description. However, he appreciates the book. The book touches several topics: athletics, high school life, adolescence, the value of family, youth, reflection, recapturing memories, etc. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Recaptured
Review: I played hockey for 14 years in Amesbury. Infact, I was the captain of the Amesbury squad that defeats Methuen on page 214. I was a teammate of Chris Cagliuso (Methuen's star) and Jason Trovato on the Valley Junior Warriors from 1990 to 1993 (ages 9 to 11). I could not resist purchasing and reading a book "so close to home." Now in college, I have been detached from the rink since 2000. However, my spirit and the splendor of being at the rink has been recaptured because of this book. The moments that seem insignificant during a high school hockey season are acknowledged by Atkinson - moments that, in reality, are so important, and experiences that I can relate to...the atmosphere of the locker room for example. Participating in a high school sports season is a wonderful experience - one that I enjoyed as a player, and now enjoy as a fan, a reporter, and a coach. Atkinson captures the essence of a high school season, particularly a hockey season. I appreciate his work, and thank him for rekindling so many feelings of my past on the ice and at the rink through his account of the Methuen players. By the way, that Ryan Fontaine delivered a cheap shot on me when I was a junior. Also, my father is the "paunchy fellow" Atkinson describes on page 213. My father, a colonel, did not appreciate the description. However, he appreciates the book. The book touches several topics: athletics, high school life, adolescence, the value of family, youth, reflection, recapturing memories, etc. I highly recommend it.
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