Calling the Shots: Ups, Downs and Rebounds – My Life in the Great Game of Hockey

This is a very well-written behind-the-scenes hockey book. Kelly takes you through the evolution in goaltending which he adapted during his playing career (doing from stand-up to incorporating butterfly technique). He also speaks plainly about locker room issues he experienced, particularly with the coach in his last playing stop. I would recommend this for any hockey fan you may have on your Christmas gift list!

1991-1993 most under rated goalie in the league. GKG !!! Montreal should have lost, way to pull the whimp card and have a stick measured … plenty of players on both sides used (at the time) illegal curves that today isn't even recognized because was such a lame rule.

Loved the book! A story about a no name goalie who was average at best. His work ethic got him recognized-JrA in Canada and then the NHL, and almost a Stanley Cup Championship. A remarkable story of the ups and downs of competitive sports. 5 stars!!

Great read.

great book

My son loved it (was a birthday gift).

I was never a fan of teams that Kelly played for. I have been a lifelong Habs fan, and in the last few decades have usually picked a western expansion team to cheer for out west. But I was always a fan of his play. And to be honest he is one of my favorite hockey commentators of all time. I remember watching Hrudey with the Islanders when I was in High school, and following him in LA when I was in university. He was always an entertaining goalie to watch, and on camera either in front of the interview of behind he has consistently been engaging and entertaining. But reading his book opened my eyes up to a lot that I was completely unaware of.His insight into his own struggles with depression. His openness about his personal struggles is tremendously encouraging. He tells it like it is. He speaks about his own struggles, struggles teams he was on have had. And He speaks about his forty plus years playing and commentating on the game of hockey.The sections in this book are:DedicationForewordPrologue1 Just a Warrior2 I Hate the Shake3 It’s All in the DNA4 Living Large5 Agent Orange6 In All His Naked Glory7 Character8 The Islanders Love Wayne’s Story9 It Made My Toes Curl10 Brown-Eyed Girl11 I’m Not Doing This by Myself Again12 Grace Under Fire13 Tunes14 Q-tips in His Ears15 The Worst Goalie in the League16 Right to the Point17 The Gretzky High Stick on Gilmour18 Crushed19 Delivering Newspapers20 The Adventures of Bruce McNall21 I Was Petrified22 A Fun Night Turned Ugly23 One Point24 An A-Hole Move25 It Killed Me26 Can You Read Effin’ Minds?27 Oh, Woe Is Me—Our Goaltender Isn’t Doing His Job28 An Absolute Stud29 I Knew I Was Going to Be in Trouble30 The Goalie Who Cried WolfEpilogueAcknowledgementsIndexPhoto SectionKelly speaks from the heart in this book. He defends a lot of players, coaches, and management personnel that he worked with in his career. But there are a few people he is very open about his disdain, dislike, or disgust with. Though for at least one of those, he tells a story about years later where his opinion radically changed, because of a different event. He shares a story about his family taking in a young player and having him live with them through his rookie season. He speaks about some of the true gentlemen in the sport and a few of the nobs. But for the most part he focuses on the positive in others and the negatives in his own character or personal struggles.Over the last few years I have read a few other hockey memoirs, specifically Domi and Clark. And though I enjoyed both of those books, I really believe this is by far a better read. Kelly’s being open about his struggles in many ways makes this book more real, more touching. I Appreciate Hrudey even more than I did before reading this book. This book is an excellent read, for fans of Kelly’s or just people who grew up watching Hockey in that era. Or fr fans of him as a commentator on hockey Night in Canada!

Certainly a nostalgic read for those of us who cut our teeth on NHL hockey in the late 80s or early 90s. It's an engaging memoir, not highly personal, for the most part focused on the game and it's players, coaches, and owners. Kelly was a goalie for the New York Islanders in the late 80s and Los Angles Kings and San Jose Sharks in the 90s.

As an ardent hockey fan with grandsons who play, I always enjoy the inside story. Hrudey's book is an excellent read, telling stories about players and events that took place during his own career from a goal tender's perspective. Interesting.

One of the most honest player written books I've ever read. Great insights. An enjoyable read.

Great insight to a fabulous career in the NHL. Loved the stories of all the terrific players he played with. Gives you a feel for what life in The Show was like!

Fantastic! This book not only talks about Kelly's time in the NHL but it gives a great insight into the dynamics between a coach and the players.

This was a gift, and the recipient really liked the book.