Ice Capades

September 25, 2017
An NHL bruiser fights for the right to be himself in this bare-knuckled memoir. Avery recounts his 12-year career with the Red Wings, L.A. Kings, Dallas Stars, and New York Rangers as an “agitator” tasked with physically and verbally goading opponents to fight so that they would draw penalties or simply get rattled. His boisterous narrative details the strategy and tactics of trash talk and fisticuffs with rival players (“I get a good right hand in... and break the orbital bone of his left eye”), obnoxious civilians (“My right hand goes from hanging beside my waist to the dead center of his face”), and Paris Hilton’s entourage (“Her assistant open-hand slapped me across the face”). His activities resulted in fines, suspensions, and anger-management rehab, and precipitated trades imposed by coaches and league brass scandalized by Avery’s mouth and irrepressible individuality. Counterpointing the mayhem is the author’s blossoming as a Manhattan metrosexual, attending Met galas, interning at Vogue magazine, supporting gay marriage, and clubbing with Scarlett Johansson. Avery has a chip on his shoulder concerning his “hate-filled” reputation, and his anecdotes often skate around aimlessly without finding a point, but his voice is energetic and offbeat and his get-real revelations about drugs, team jealousies, and the lingering damage from a violent sport will hold readers’ attentions.

October 1, 2017

Avery is never afraid to be controversial, and he brings that same no-holds-barred, in-your-face style to the writing of this, his first book. As a hockey player, he became known for his action on the ice, from breakaways to bench-clearing brawls. Here, he tells the story of his 13-year career in the NHL, in which he played for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, and Dallas Stars. He begins with his struggle to get an invitation to a major-league training camp (the route for players who are not chosen in the entry draft) and to win a place on a team. His story continues with a chronicle of on-ice action in the major games and series of his career, including numerous explosive rivalries with other players. Avery spends a significant part of the book detailing his off-ice adventures, for which he is equally notorious as for his style of play on the ice. Delivered without a filter, Avery proudly embraces all of his exploits and has few regrets. VERDICT A wild ride that will appeal to hockey fans and those who enjoy insider sports memoirs.--Sara Holder, Univ. of Illinois Libs., Champaign

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2017
Avery was a journeyman National Hockey League player who generated some off-ice interest with unique off-season jobs such as a Vogue magazine intern and a male model. Prepublication press suggests that Avery's memoir will be the book that does for hockey what Jim Bouton's Ball Four (1970) did for baseball, revealing the sometimes sordid underbelly of a game fans love. Well, sorta, but by now, we're plenty to used to sordidunderbellies in sports. We know that professional athletes have their choice of sexual partners, often drink or drug too much, and have been known to hate their coaches. There are many examples of all the above in this memoir, but, more important, Avery comes across in print, as Bouton did, as a likable guy, not too impressed with himself. Perhaps the highlight is an excellent account of the 200405 season, which was lost to a lockout as the players fought against a salary cap. So, has Avery penned the soon-to-be-classic NHL tell-all? Nope, but it's a fun read for hockey fans who like a little spice with their entrees.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)