Conflicted Scars, Justin Davis
Conflicted Scars, Justin Davis
List: $23.99 | Sale: $16.79
Club: $11.99

Conflicted Scars
An Average Player’s Journey to the NHL

Author: Justin Davis, Brian Kilrea

Narrator: David Attar

Unabridged: 7 hr 43 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: ECW Press

Published: 11/04/2022


Synopsis

An indispensable guide to parents of hockey hopefuls At a time of great change in hockey, Justin Davis exposes the dark underbelly of the journey from the minors to the big leagues Hockey culture: it’s a commonly used phrase inside the game, glorifying sacrifice, toughness, loyalty, and a sense of identity. Justin Davis viewed this culture as something he was lucky enough to experience. After all, he’d won a Memorial Cup after leading the tournament in scoring, and he’d been drafted by the Washington Capitals. “In my mind,” he says, “I was the normal one.” Unfortunately, after stepping outside the game, he began to recognize the racism, sexual abuse and bullying that was so deeply ingrained in the sport. And then, as his own children grew into teenagers, the curtain was pulled back, the memories came rushing forward, and he was horrified: “Why was I naked in a bus bathroom for four hours with seven teammates? What happened to my brain, and why can’t I remember the simplest things? How did I end up living in a basement where the strangers upstairs were clearly engaged in domestic abuse?” As it navigates the sport’s darkest corridors, Conflicted Scars shares the story of the common Canadian player and offers a guide for parents who need to know how and why a typical teenager with NHL dreams, from a small town, now lives anxiously, introvertedly, and battling emotional detachment.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Terri on May 18, 2023

I enjoy stories and peeks into "closed communities" and I also enjoyed watched OHL hockey as a teen (in the author's current hometown no less!) so I was very interested to read this autobiography. Especially since, as an adult, I was struck by my just how young those OHL players look now. It's a trut......more

Goodreads review by Eala on October 16, 2022

This book was such an eye opener. I'm in the UK, so ice hockey isn't as popular a sport here, but it's a sport I'm involved with. Here we seem to have diversity within the sport, certainly at junior level. Although as a family we follow ice hockey, I genuinely hadn't realised how non-inclusive it is......more

Goodreads review by Carolyn on July 23, 2022

I received an advance copy of this book. Thank you. My son played hockey from 1st grade through High School, so this book grabbed my attention. Fortunately, my son was not the caliber player Justin Davis was, but early games, late games, long trips to get to games were a big part of our routine. Tow......more

Goodreads review by Chantal on May 21, 2022

I love hockey and everything related to it so I was happy to read this one. I was under the impression I would learn about the toxic culture of hockey and get some tips for parents into the world of hockey. I don’t think the author did succeed in his quest. There is nothing particular about his years......more

Goodreads review by Scott on August 21, 2023

Living in the Southern United States, hockey is not a sport I was exposed to growing up. Since then I have discovered NHL hockey and really enjoy the game. When I had the opportunity to read Justin Davis’ story of coming up through the ranks of junior hockey I was very interested. Regardless of your......more