Remembering Herbie: Celebrating The Life And Times Of Hockey Legend Herb Brooks

by Ross Bernstein

This moving book is a tribute to a man whose name is synonymous with hockey: the late Herb Brooks. It is a heartfelt story told through interviews with nearly 100 people. Some poured out their emotions. Others shared heartwarming or hilarious tales.

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Luke Koran · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fellow East Sider of Saint Paul, Minnesota and alumnus of the same high school (Johnson) as legendary hockey coach Herb Brooks, this book and this man’s simultaneous larger-than-life and “Joe Six-Pack” from Payne Avenue persona will always hold a special place in my heart. Fellow Minnesotan and devoted author Ross Bernstein produced a truly memorable publication in the immediate aftermath of Herbie’s untimely death in 2003. Sandwiched in-between a fantastic introduction, brief biography of Herb, and forewords/afterwords by lifelong friends, including the immortal Lou Nanne, are the interviews of nearly one hundred of Herb’s friends, teammates, colleagues, and players, along with emotional commentary from his wife, Patti, and two children, Dan and Kelly. Though ninety pages of quotes from Herb’s hockey family seemed a bit long and tiring at times, Bernstein is quite successful in communicating the incredible image of who Herbie Brooks really was and the memories and legacy he left in the minds of those who best knew him. Without this book, many - even those who also call Minnesota, and even St. Paul and Johnson High School “home” - would be hard pressed to truly understand how equally complex and genius that Herbie was, as both a hockey coach and a human being.

This book particularly means a lot to me as my Dad purchased it at a Johnson silent auction a year after Herbie passed away, and exactly a year from the previous annual pancake breakfast where I saw Herb in passing. Finding out later who that silver-haired man with glasses was, who seemed to thoroughly enjoy talking with anybody and everybody in the school cafeteria, brought joy to my soul. No matter how big Herbie became - even after his three collegiate championships, the biggest upset in sports history with Team USA’s 1980 Olympic gold medal, and NHL coaching career - he always chose to be remembered as this: “I am just a guy from the East Side.” God Bless you, Herb!