Calling the Shots: Ups, Downs and Rebounds – My Life in the Great Game of Hockey

Loved the book! A story about a no name goalie who was average at best. His work ethic got him recognized-JrA in Canada and then the NHL, and almost a Stanley Cup Championship. A remarkable story of the ups and downs of competitive sports. 5 stars!!

better than a shot to the head with a blocker

This is a very well-written behind-the-scenes hockey book. Kelly takes you through the evolution in goaltending which he adapted during his playing career (doing from stand-up to incorporating butterfly technique). He also speaks plainly about locker room issues he experienced, particularly with the coach in his last playing stop. I would recommend this for any hockey fan you may have on your Christmas gift list!

1991-1993 most under rated goalie in the league. GKG !!! Montreal should have lost, way to pull the whimp card and have a stick measured … plenty of players on both sides used (at the time) illegal curves that today isn't even recognized because was such a lame rule.

Certainly a nostalgic read for those of us who cut our teeth on NHL hockey in the late 80s or early 90s. It's an engaging memoir, not highly personal, for the most part focused on the game and it's players, coaches, and owners. Kelly was a goalie for the New York Islanders in the late 80s and Los Angles Kings and San Jose Sharks in the 90s.

As autobiographies go, Kelly Hrudey's "Calling the Shots" is an odd one. It seems to have something missing - about 19 years of his life. In other words, it stops when his playing career stopped - back in 1998. Very little is said about life after that, except in passing. Yet, Hrudey has been involved non-stop in hockey during those 19 years. He's served as a commentator on "Hockey Night in Canada." On one hand, Hrudey seems like a rather unconventional choice to have a book published. He broke in with the New York Islanders right at the end of their dynasty in the early 1980s. Hrudey got to know some of the personalities from those teams that won four straight Stanley Cups, such as Al Arbour, Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, and the Sutters. The netminder was on some decent Islander teams after that, but they never were contenders for a title then. From there Hrudey was dealt to the Kings, where he had the chance to play with Wayne Gretzky. Los Angeles had one good chance at the Cup during the goalie's time there, falling just short in a memorable series with the Canadiens in 1993. Hrudey finished 15 years in the NHL in San Jose in 1998. So we've got a good hockey player who spent his entire big-league career in the United States. After retirement, he immediately launches a career in broadcasting in Canada, and he's been good at it ever since. Hrudey is smart and articulate, and offers good opinions on the games and the game. At this point, though, he's north of the border, and it's easy to wonder if fans in the United States will still be interested in his story. Could it have been written sooner? Probably. The story that has been put on paper isn't a bad one though. Hrudey is honest and interesting throughout the book. He has nice things to say about almost all of his teammates, and doesn't hesitate to criticize some of his coaches when he thinks it is justified. Hrudey sometimes made such criticisms in public at the time, so it's no big surprise that he's not pulling any punches here. This also offers a look at the mind of a goalie. The position lends itself to unusual thinkers. After all, how would you like it if a red light came on and thousands cheered every time you made a mistake on the job? No wonder Hrudey had some confidence problems along the way that led to something close to depression at times; I would bet most goalies have similar stories. The pages go by pretty quickly, and it's a pleasant but not overly dramatic read. "Calling the Shots," therefore, is a difficult book to review. The cliche that "hockey fans ought to like it" is true, especially if they followed Hrudey's career in the United States. A more timely book on his days in broadcasting might prove to be an even better story, whenever it comes out.

Excellent book and great delivery thank you very much

My son loved it (was a birthday gift).

Kelly Hrudey is a top goaltender who describes his days, games, as well as the teams and players he played with and against. From the Islanders to the Kings with Wayne Gretzky. Kelly describes the relationships with his teammates as a rookie and a seasoned player. His descriptions of Mike Bossy are particularly interesting and gives some insight into Bossy that is particularly touching in view of his recent passing.

Great read for the avid hockey fan. If you enjoy watching Kelly on HNC every staturday you will enjoy this book. Great insider stories and insight into the professional game.

This order came so quickly. I have only just started reading the book, haven't even looked at the pictures yet, but I know, just from the little I have read so far, it is going to be interesting, a very enjoyable book. Thank you very much. G Matheson

It was interesting to read how some of the teams and players react to the different situationsthat arise.

A must read for hockey fans - a very honest humble and open insight into Kelly thru his stories - a great read, even for a Maple Leaf fan still bitter over the NHL 1993 Conference finals