Hockey Heat Wave

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

The sequel to Face Off finds Torontonian Mitch Stevens, 13, and his best
friend and Hillcrest Stingers teammate, Zack Andermann, at a special
two-week summer hockey camp at Camp Lone Pine. Upon arrival, Mitch
encounters his first disappointment—he and Zack are not cabin mates.
Even worse, Zack’s cabin includes Eddie Genova, star player for the
rival Rangers and Mitch’s nemesis. Mitch’s biggest surprise occurs
when he discovers that, instead of his already being part of the Ontario
“select team,” the team of 25 will be chosen from the 40 players at
Lone Pine. Mitch worries about his chances, especially when his on-ice
efforts appear on the camp’s blooper video.

It initially seems that the action will revolve around the friction
between Mitch and Eddie, but it is actually Mitch and Zack’s
friendship that provides the plot’s focus. Having severely gashed his
foot while diving into the lake, Zack hides his injury; he fears he will
be sent home, thereby forfeiting his potential place on the select team.
When Mitch discovers Zack’s injury, he agrees to keep quiet. However,
when Zack becomes delirious from the effects of the infected foot, Mitch
must weigh the possible outcomes of keeping or breaking a promise made
to a best friend.

This short book is thin in both plot and characterization. The hockey
scenes take place in a practice setting and therefore lack the
excitement of a game situation. The book’s concluding paragraph
suggests a sequel. Not a first-choice purchase.