The Hockey Book

Following is the entire text of the story. The words in red represent the personalized information. **This example shows the child playing defenseman. There are similar versions available for goalie and forward. Make your selection when you place your order.**

Tommy Smith
starring in
The Hockey Hero

This book was created
especially for

Thomas Edward Smith
at the age of 5

With all our Love,
Grandma and Grandpa

August 31, 2010

The championship game was only hours away. The Chicago Blackhawks, Tommy's favorite team, were just one game away from being the champs.
Tommy had already invited Beth, Michael, and Lisa to watch the game on television with him. All that was left to do was check the snacks and, for the fourth time today, study the team line-ups.

Unknown to Tommy, the Chicago Blackhawks were in trouble. The coach had just learned that the star defenseman had a sprained ankle and could not play tonight. No other defensemen were available. The situation seemed hopeless!

"What about that kid, Tommy so-and-so, who you just signed," the coach asked the team's general manager.
"You mean that kid who lives in Miami?" replied the G.M. "He's a little young and inexperienced!
"Call him," replied the coach, "and get him here any way you can, even if you have to rent a private jet. All we need is a back-up in case of injury. He'll just sit on the bench."

The general manager, a bit nervous about tonight's game, still couldn't remember the defenseman's last name. "Was it Leroux, Lamante, Smith? Yes, Smith, I think that was it," the G.M. said and he quickly looked through the Miami phone book for the number.

For Tommy, time was moving slowly. When the phone rang, Tommy answered.
"Hi," said the G.M. "I know this is unusual, Tommy, but we have a game tonight and we need you to play. I'm sending someone to pick you up."
"Sure," Tommy said, somewhat reluctantly, knowing he would miss the big game on television. "But I'd like to bring along Beth, Michael, and Lisa."
"No problem," replied the G.M.
Tommy quickly gathered his hockey gear and waited to be picked up.

In no time an official hockey-looking guy rang the door bell. "Is Tommy here?" he asked.
"Right here," Tommy replied.
"Where?" said the hockey guy looking around the room.
"Right here," said Tommy again.
"But! But! You look like you're only 5 years old," replied the surprised official. "Are you that good of a defenseman?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty good," Tommy replied.

"Where are we going?" Tommy asked as they jumped into a limousine.
"To the home arena of the Chicago Blackhawks," replied the hockey-type guy. "The game is sold out. There will be thousands of people at the arena and another 10 million watching on television."
"Sure, 10 million watching and me playing at the home of the Chicago Blackhawks! Does he really think I believe him?" Tommy thought to himself.

When they finally arrived at the arena, and Tommy saw all the fans rushing into the building, he didn't know what to think.
"Follow me," said the hockey-type guy. "And don't sign any autographs - we haven't got enough time."
Tommy followed, but now he was nervous. Beth, Michael, and Lisa looked nervous too.

"Here's the kid," the hockey-type guy said to the coach when they reached the dressing room.
"Where?" asked the coach.
"Right here," he replied, pointing at Tommy.
The coach looked down at Tommy. "You can't be serious?" the coach asked.

The coach looked at Tommy again. "Did the G.M. call you?" he asked.
"Yes," replied Tommy.
"You must be the best young defenseman in the whole world," the coach said in amazement.
"Yeah, I'm pretty good," Tommy replied.

Tommy quickly put on his hockey gear and went out with the team for the pregame warmup. As soon as the coach saw Tommy on the ice, he knew a mistake had been made. Tommy was pretty good, but no 5-year-old had ever played defenseman in this league. "It's lucky that I can just keep the kid on the bench," the coach thought to himself.

The game was incredibly exciting. There were hard hits, scoring chances galore, end to end action, and great saves. As the third period wound down, the score was tied 2-2.
Tommy was happy. These were the best seats he had ever had to watch his favorite team.
The game ended in a flurry with both goalies making incredible saves. Overtime was next!

In the dressing room, some of the Chicago Blackhawks started to complain about their stomachs. One by one, they went into the trainer's room. And, they didn't return. The flu bug had hit the team!
When the buzzer sounded to start overtime, the coach had only seven players still standing, four forwards and three defensemen. And Tommy was one of them.
Beth, Michael, and Lisa whispered to Tommy. "You may have to play."
"Awesome," replied Tommy.

Winning seemed impossible. With most of the players sick, the team was wearing down. And then it happened! The referee called coincidental minor penalties.
"Get another defenseman on the ice," the referee yelled to the coach.
The coach looked at the trainer. "Anyone ready yet?" he asked.
"Sorry coach - no one can even stand up," the trainer replied.
"Tommy - just how good are you?" he asked.
"I'm pretty good," Tommy replied.
"Out you go," said the coach. "Do your best."

Tommy was a pretty good defenseman, but these players were the biggest, strongest, and fastest he had ever played against. By the time Tommy skated to one end, the puck was already back in the other end.
Tommy was still struggling out of the opponent's end when one of his teammates shot the puck down the ice. The other team had forgotten about Tommy. He had a breakaway!

Tommy skated as fast as he could. A forward was breathing down his neck. As he reached the net, Tommy looked up and saw the biggest goalie he had ever seen in his life. Tommy let go with his best wrist shot.
The burly forward took Tommy into the boards with a thud. As Tommy got up, he heard the fans cheering and saw his teammates (all 6 of them) skating towards him. The game was over. Tommy had buried the shot in the top corner. They had won in overtime!
Tommy was interviewed on television. He only remembered answering one question.
"Yeah, I'm pretty good," he said.

Tommy's Hockey Statistics
for this year
________________ Team
_________________ Coach's Name
_________________ Goals scored
_________________ Assists
_________________ Penalties
_________________ Trophies won
_________________
_________________ Best play of the year

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• Quality, hard-cover personalized children's book
• Washable hard cover
• Fully illustrated color pages
• 36 pages
• Measures 6 3/4" x 8 1/4"