Ice Time

More about the book

As kids, we all had passions—something we loved doing, shared with friends, and dreamed about. For Jay Atkinson, growing up in a small Massachusetts town, that passion was hockey. His lifelong fandom began when Bobby Orr scored the winning goal in the 1970 Stanley Cup Finals. In 1975, Atkinson joined the first Methuen Rangers varsity hockey team and has remained a rink rat ever since, still playing whenever he can. Twenty-five years later, he returns to his high school team as a volunteer assistant. The narrative follows the team, highlighting the temperamental star, the troubled winger, the lovesick goalie, and the rookie with a father battling cancer, as they make a desperate push for the state tournament. With emotionally vivid detail, the story unfolds in the rinks, schools, and homes of small-town America, showcasing friendships, loyalty, and the transformation of boys and girls into young adults. Atkinson also introduces his five-year-old son, Liam, who is just beginning to learn the game. Through scenes of kids playing under the moonlight and the trials of team tryouts, Atkinson captures the essence of adolescence, the bond between fathers and sons, and the meaning of returning home.