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One Night Only: Conversations with the NHL's One-Game Wonders
Get to know the men who fulfilled their childhood dream
From the beer league to the minor league, hockey players from coast to coast often say they’d give anything to play just one game in the NHL. One Night Only brings you the stories of 39 men who lived the dream — only to see it fade away almost as quickly as it arrived. Ken Reid talks to players who had one game, and one game only, in the National Hockey League — including the most famous single-gamer of them all: the coach himself, Don Cherry.
Was it a dream come true or was it heartbreak? What did they learn from their hockey journey and how does it define them today? From the satisfied to the bitter, Ken Reid unearths the stories from hockey’s equivalent to one-hit wonders in the follow-up to his bestselling Hockey Card Stories.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 28, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 2, 2017
One man's floor is another's ceiling.
This book vacillates between heartbreak and glory, dreams ending and coming true.
The premise? Interviews with hockey players who have only played in one game, no more no less. Some got three minutes of ice time. Some had a chance to take a shot and passed it up. Some made bad decisions. Some made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals and skated with Gretzky. Some became legends like Don Cherry.
Is this a fun read? Not always. You keep rooting for these guys to do something more - but life and the book's premise preclude that.
And yet - it gives you insight into what its like to give it all, and gain a glimpse of the real stage. Many try to get to the NHL, and these are those that indeed made it. Their floor is our ceiling, and there is a tremendous amount of glory in that.
This book vacillates between heartbreak and glory, dreams ending and coming true.
The premise? Interviews with hockey players who have only played in one game, no more no less. Some got three minutes of ice time. Some had a chance to take a shot and passed it up. Some made bad decisions. Some made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals and skated with Gretzky. Some became legends like Don Cherry.
Is this a fun read? Not always. You keep rooting for these guys to do something more - but life and the book's premise preclude that.
And yet - it gives you insight into what its like to give it all, and gain a glimpse of the real stage. Many try to get to the NHL, and these are those that indeed made it. Their floor is our ceiling, and there is a tremendous amount of glory in that.
June 14, 2019
Man the concept of this is great, but in execution... turns out there are only so many ways to describe the experience of playing a single game in the NHL and the repetition got boring less than halfway through.
May 28, 2017
A light, enjoyable read. None of the players interviewed here seem to view their one game in the NHL as the apex of their career, or as a defining moment, but rather part of a longer journey. There are a few who have regrets, about a move not made or a quirk of fate, but for the most part, that game is just one step on their journey through life.
I don't think Reid needed to include Don Cherry - yes, he's probably the most famous one NHL game player, but on the other hand, he has a lot of forums to get his story out, including his own autobiography. I find it more interesting to hear about those whose story would otherwise be lost forever.
I don't think Reid needed to include Don Cherry - yes, he's probably the most famous one NHL game player, but on the other hand, he has a lot of forums to get his story out, including his own autobiography. I find it more interesting to hear about those whose story would otherwise be lost forever.
September 28, 2016
What a great read! So much to learn about the gentlemen who had their one night under the lights in an NHL arena for one night, and only one night! Great insights and heartwarming stories from these pros! As many of them say while re-telling their tales of infamy, they may have only gotten one night in the show, but they still got one more night then any of us have! Reider you continue to be the master of the feel good hockey yarn! Looking forward to hopefully more works from you in the future!
February 11, 2017
I wouldn't say this is well-written - there are grammar errors and typos throughout - however, there are a bunch of interesting stories about the briefest of NHL careers. Some are more entertaining and poignant than others, but on the whole, if you like books about hockey, you might make the time. I was also very pleasantly surprised-not surprised by a mention of my favorite hockey player (Joe Sakic) and what an upstanding guy he is.
February 21, 2020
Not terrible, not exceptional. It had its moments but most players' stories were more or less the same... Player gets shot at NHL, plays game, enjoys it and thinks he'll play more at that level, never does, learns from it, takes lesson, moves on.
July 9, 2021
In One Night Only: Conversations with the NHL’s One-Game Wonders, Ken Reid interviewed forty players whose entire NHL history could be summed up in one single regulation game. Players were on the ice for a few minutes or for the entire game, but never set their skates on NHL ice again. In spite of the similarities among player stories, Reid wrote them so that they seemed new, with often a tease of a revelation at the beginning which he only explained as the story progressed.
Almost all the players had the same story about how they found their way onto NHL ice. Due to an injury, NHL teams found themselves in desperate need of a certain player position. Associated pro leagues or farm teams would get the call to send a certain player to “the Show”, hockeyspeak for an NHL game. Players would sometimes have to race to the airport to get to the game the next day, or even later that same night.
In spite of the momentous importance of being called up to play one’s first NHL game, I noticed that for most of the players, the experience was often lacking in excitement. They were too caught up in the whirlwind of finding their way to the venue, the pregame practice and getting settled in with the team. Players had no time to be awestruck, and the majority of them revealed that now–decades later, mind–they never give their sole NHL game another thought. Some players had sleepless nights before the game. That is understandable; with the sudden opportunity to prove oneself in the biggest league of all, they didn’t want to blow their chance. While some players believed that their first game–not yet knowing that it was their only game–might be the NHL break they had long dreamed of if they played well, some of them were aware that it was likely their only shot on NHL ice and didn’t want to make a fool of themselves. So many player stories were filled with interior monologues that incorporated some version of “Just don’t screw this up!”
I was not aware of how low pro hockey salaries were in the fifties and sixties and was thus surprised to read that players such as one-game Montreal Canadiens goalie Len Broderick opted to work as a chartered accountant instead of getting “battered and banged up for $8,000 a year.”. Other pro leagues even paid more money than the NHL, thus for some guys the certainty of a hockey career in those leagues meant more to them than the uncertainty of being in (and maybe back out of) the NHL.
Reid ended his player profiles by asking them if their quest for hockey greatness was worth it if they knew they were going to play only one NHL game. All of the players Reid interviewed had retired from professional play and had years of reflection to draw upon. Only a small minority felt that they were unfairly looked over or still had voids in their life. Almost all of them were grateful to have had the chance to play their single game, especially those players who were around when the NHL was comprised of only six teams and opportunities to play were more limited. It was quite touching to read how these brief NHL appearances changed their lives. Some players were given opportunities in hockey that were far more gratifying, like playing in other pro or overseas leagues, or in coaching or management. The final profile was devoted to the most famous NHL one-gamer of all: Don Cherry. In spite of his tough-guy persona his story was rather sentimental and full of appreciation for the game and its players.
January 4, 2017
Tells the stories, alternately heartwarming and heartbreaking, of some 30-plus men whose NHL career lasted exactly one game. The players, who are all obscure (at least, as skaters) in their own way, become memorable as they talk about how they made the Show and what their experience meant to them. Players range from the Original Six era on until close to the present day. As a hockey fan dating back to the '80s, I remember a decent number of these players, whether prospects who never panned out or those who became noteworthy for other contributions to the game. While hardly a heavy read, I found the book hard to put down. Each story lasts a few pages, with players grouped into categories, such as those who eventually became lifers in the sport in other ways, or those who had a family tie to a more successful player. Each episode's length is just enough to really give you a feel for each player, and yet short enough to keep you turning pages. I will say that if the book has one notable flaw, it is that there is some archetypal repetition (the young guy who got in a game early and never made it back despite playing many more years, the player whose career was cut short by injury, etc.) by the time you reach the conclusion.
November 2, 2018
I loved this book about those who lived the dream and played one - and only one - NHL game! Each chapter was a short vignette and interview with a different player, 40 in total, and told the stories of how they made the NHL, why their stay was so short, and what life after the pros had for them.
The key chapter was on Don Cherry, but most of the fun stories had to do with junior call-ups, emergency replacements, and even a pair of brothers who both played just one game! Clearly this is a labour of love by Ken Reid, who still is chasing the NHL Dream himself (except that for him its from the broadcast booth).
A great, light read for every hockey fan who once dreamed of making the big leagues!
The key chapter was on Don Cherry, but most of the fun stories had to do with junior call-ups, emergency replacements, and even a pair of brothers who both played just one game! Clearly this is a labour of love by Ken Reid, who still is chasing the NHL Dream himself (except that for him its from the broadcast booth).
A great, light read for every hockey fan who once dreamed of making the big leagues!
February 1, 2018
|3.5 Stars|
It was interesting! Reid utilized a very engaging writing style, and the little stories of why these people didn't play more than one game--sometimes by choice, for, I found, primarily economic reasons--were super interesting. I also liked the picture at the start of each little story. Helped me picture everything a little bit better.
It was interesting! Reid utilized a very engaging writing style, and the little stories of why these people didn't play more than one game--sometimes by choice, for, I found, primarily economic reasons--were super interesting. I also liked the picture at the start of each little story. Helped me picture everything a little bit better.
April 4, 2024
This was such an interesting concept, but not the most engaging execution (at least for reading all at once). It turns out that many of the 40 players featured have very similar experiences. Still appreciate the idea and the work that went into the book, but would probably recommend reading a bit at a time.
July 4, 2019
Really interesting idea for a book. Lots of interesting stories and they were nicely researched. Not surprisingly, there did tend to be a lot of similarities between many of the players experiences and they felt a bit repetitive.
October 18, 2025
A great concept for a book. Stories from men who only played one game in the NHL. Unfortunately the research and the writing for the book is superficial and pedestrian. Some the stories still shine through but not enough .
June 7, 2019
This is a collection of short articles about a variety of one-game NHL players. Within maybe 5 pages or less per player, Reid looks at the circumstances of how each player appeared in one game, and summarizes their hockey career, and life outside of hockey. It has a focus on more recent players, as Reid interviewed nearly every player included in here, and does a good job of covering an interesting topic. While each player is united in that they only played one NHL game, their stories are varied, and this makes for a great, fun read. Between the interviews themselves and Reid's writing, it really gives you a feel for how the players felt about their lone appearance, and could have easily been larger. The only real downside is that there isn't a look at some of the older players, but that is understandable due to the personal interviews.
January 14, 2021
Amazing premise, amazing stories. If you’re a fan of the stories within the game, you will love this book.
January 9, 2022
Interesting stories but it’s a bit repetitive and there are way too many typos. Time for a new editor.
June 8, 2025
It was a fun book. It’s cool to see that even the best of the best can make mistakes that lead to a single game. I probably would have organized it differently but it was an enjoyable read.
November 7, 2016
I was given this book for free. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
It is this precarious balance between euphoric achievement and bitter regrets that Mr. Reid explores and guides his readers through in his sophomore book One Night Only.
And he does so masterfully.
Unlike his first book, which had been written in a humourous and light-hearted tone familiar to Mr. Reid, this book was written with far more gravitas. And while it was not so serious as to make one grave while reading it, there was a sincerity in how he approached each of the stories shared. But throughout it all, Mr. Reid also kept his touch in these tales subtle, far more subtle than in Hockey Card Stories. It was as if he took a step back to allow each player to share their stories as they saw fit, both in how and why they reached their dream and then the story of what came after.
Through their own words, it could be either a story of joy or one tinged in sadness. And ultimately, it was up to us to ask ourselves if these players invoke our awe or our pity for their lonely evening at the pinnacle of hockey.
This did result in a mosaic of differing voices and opinions as to these individuals qualifying their hockey careers as a fruitful one or not. That is to be expected, given the many generations and many personalities that this book touched upon. There was a measure of continuity attempted in their organization of the players by theme into chapters, but the connections were so loosely based in places that it almost needed to be underscored how each story connected to the others in its chapter.
And yet, credit to Mr. Reid, this did not make the book a confusing cacophony of thought. In fact, the whole book felt pretty harmonious. And not just because all these men had the one-game played in common.
There is a common saying: When one door closes, another opens. In so many of these stories, it is not so much about the door that was opened for only a single night in the NHL before closing for good, it is about the other doors that were opened in part because that door was closed. Even with the tragedy of only ever getting a single game played in the NHL, if tragedy is even the right word to use here, ultimately, many of these gentlemen went on to live a triumphant life, a life full of different opportunities and different roads, each as unique as the road that led them to playing that single NHL game in the first place. Ultimately, it was not so much about the one night only that dominated this book, but the journey that took place on both sides of this incredible milestone.
While many that passed through that door but once in their life would refrain from calling themselves an NHLer, they ended up gaining many other adjectives that would come to describe their life, with many of those being far more important: friend, teammate, father, husband, teacher, coach.
And to a man, every one of them were able to call themselves a 'hockey player.'
As for the last word to this review, I must follow in Mr. Reid's lead and give it to none other than the King of one-game wonders himself, Mr. Don Cherry.
But does a dream really come true when it only lasts for a few hours, or, in some cases, a few seconds?There is a quiet tragedy in the question that author Ken Reid poses to his readers, and in some ways, to himself, at the end of his introduction to this book. For many, a single game in the NHL should be a mark of triumph. And yet, a single game played in the NHL can also be a mark of one's own insignificance, even failure. It all depends on which side of the fence we choose to sit upon.
It is this precarious balance between euphoric achievement and bitter regrets that Mr. Reid explores and guides his readers through in his sophomore book One Night Only.
And he does so masterfully.
Unlike his first book, which had been written in a humourous and light-hearted tone familiar to Mr. Reid, this book was written with far more gravitas. And while it was not so serious as to make one grave while reading it, there was a sincerity in how he approached each of the stories shared. But throughout it all, Mr. Reid also kept his touch in these tales subtle, far more subtle than in Hockey Card Stories. It was as if he took a step back to allow each player to share their stories as they saw fit, both in how and why they reached their dream and then the story of what came after.
Through their own words, it could be either a story of joy or one tinged in sadness. And ultimately, it was up to us to ask ourselves if these players invoke our awe or our pity for their lonely evening at the pinnacle of hockey.
This did result in a mosaic of differing voices and opinions as to these individuals qualifying their hockey careers as a fruitful one or not. That is to be expected, given the many generations and many personalities that this book touched upon. There was a measure of continuity attempted in their organization of the players by theme into chapters, but the connections were so loosely based in places that it almost needed to be underscored how each story connected to the others in its chapter.
And yet, credit to Mr. Reid, this did not make the book a confusing cacophony of thought. In fact, the whole book felt pretty harmonious. And not just because all these men had the one-game played in common.
There is a common saying: When one door closes, another opens. In so many of these stories, it is not so much about the door that was opened for only a single night in the NHL before closing for good, it is about the other doors that were opened in part because that door was closed. Even with the tragedy of only ever getting a single game played in the NHL, if tragedy is even the right word to use here, ultimately, many of these gentlemen went on to live a triumphant life, a life full of different opportunities and different roads, each as unique as the road that led them to playing that single NHL game in the first place. Ultimately, it was not so much about the one night only that dominated this book, but the journey that took place on both sides of this incredible milestone.
While many that passed through that door but once in their life would refrain from calling themselves an NHLer, they ended up gaining many other adjectives that would come to describe their life, with many of those being far more important: friend, teammate, father, husband, teacher, coach.
And to a man, every one of them were able to call themselves a 'hockey player.'
As for the last word to this review, I must follow in Mr. Reid's lead and give it to none other than the King of one-game wonders himself, Mr. Don Cherry.
"Always remember: if a guy builds one bridge, he's a bridge builder. That's the way I saw it. At least I made the one game. People can make fun... 'Oh he only played one game in the National Hockey League.' But at least I play one game in the National Hockey League. And that's a lot more than a lot of people.
March 4, 2017
Task: A book about a topic or subject you already love - 3.5/5 stars
August 19, 2025
Neat concept, enjoyed most of the stories. Not the most engaging writing but a quick read.
August 9, 2016
Every youngster who laces up a pair of ice skates and grabs a hockey stick has the same dream – to get a chance to play just one game in the NHL. This book by Ken Reid tells the story of 39 men who lived that dream and played just one game in the NHL. From the poignant to the hilarious, there are so many different paths these men took not only to get to that one special night, but also the lives they lead after that brief moment.
All eras, from the days of the Original Six to the current league of 30 teams, are represented by these stories. The emotions of the men run the gamut as well, from very happy that there was that one game to the very frustrated, such as Ken Duggan’s not-so-kind words about Phil Esposito and his handling of the New York Rangers.
There are some similarities for most of the stories – many of these one-game wonders had to make a mad dash from their current location in the minor leagues to get to the city where the NHL team was playing that same day. There are also many of them who were able to participate in pre-game skates in other games, but were healthy scratches and then sent back to the minors. Nearly every player continued in the game in some manner after their one appearance in the NHL, either in the minor leagues or overseas.
No matter the situation or what the player did after that night, I found each story entertaining and to a man, every one of them said that they enjoyed the experience. There were two stories that I enjoyed in particular, both for very different reasons. One was the story of Dean Morton. While he appeared in only one game as an NHL player, he is now in many more games every season as a referee. That is quite an adventure how he made it back to the league in a different role. The other story that I enjoyed is that of Brad Fast, who appeared in a late season game in 2004 for the Carolina Hurricanes. He is the answer to a historical trivia question that I will not give away here – that piece of trivia is found in the book.
Overall this book is a fun, entertaining read that can be read easily in short spurts as each story is both alike and unique. Hockey fans will enjoy the ride taken with each of these men as they relive their adventures taken to enjoy that brief moment in the spotlight.
I wish to thank ECW Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
All eras, from the days of the Original Six to the current league of 30 teams, are represented by these stories. The emotions of the men run the gamut as well, from very happy that there was that one game to the very frustrated, such as Ken Duggan’s not-so-kind words about Phil Esposito and his handling of the New York Rangers.
There are some similarities for most of the stories – many of these one-game wonders had to make a mad dash from their current location in the minor leagues to get to the city where the NHL team was playing that same day. There are also many of them who were able to participate in pre-game skates in other games, but were healthy scratches and then sent back to the minors. Nearly every player continued in the game in some manner after their one appearance in the NHL, either in the minor leagues or overseas.
No matter the situation or what the player did after that night, I found each story entertaining and to a man, every one of them said that they enjoyed the experience. There were two stories that I enjoyed in particular, both for very different reasons. One was the story of Dean Morton. While he appeared in only one game as an NHL player, he is now in many more games every season as a referee. That is quite an adventure how he made it back to the league in a different role. The other story that I enjoyed is that of Brad Fast, who appeared in a late season game in 2004 for the Carolina Hurricanes. He is the answer to a historical trivia question that I will not give away here – that piece of trivia is found in the book.
Overall this book is a fun, entertaining read that can be read easily in short spurts as each story is both alike and unique. Hockey fans will enjoy the ride taken with each of these men as they relive their adventures taken to enjoy that brief moment in the spotlight.
I wish to thank ECW Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
November 19, 2016
Great collection of stories
Ken does a very good job recounting the stories of guys who had one game in the NHL for one reason or another. The reactions to their one game was fascinating.
Ken does a very good job recounting the stories of guys who had one game in the NHL for one reason or another. The reactions to their one game was fascinating.
February 19, 2025
Review for One Night Only can be found on Hockey Blog In Canada.
April 8, 2017
Nice light bedtime reading. The stories start to become a little routine after a while.
- Boy plays in minors
- Gets called up - calls family to let them know
- Next 24 hours are a blur
- Walks in locker room with childhood stars/greats
- Most wish they had more of a chance - some are fine with it.
- Repeat for each person
There are some that have hidden surprises but most don't veer from the script too much.
- Boy plays in minors
- Gets called up - calls family to let them know
- Next 24 hours are a blur
- Walks in locker room with childhood stars/greats
- Most wish they had more of a chance - some are fine with it.
- Repeat for each person
There are some that have hidden surprises but most don't veer from the script too much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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November 23, 2017I really liked the premise of discovering the stories of pros who weren't NHL stars, and the short chapters made this a great book to dip in and out of during a busy week. This one probably doesn't have much appeal for non-hockey fans, but for fans there are some cool stories.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews