Shut OutShut Out

"Shut Out is a hockey love story. But it was a love that was unrequited. Born in Montreal, Bernie Saunders had a passion for playing hockey in his boyhood, teens and into his twenties. And yet, stymied at every turn, he faced a malevolence that had nothing to do with his prodigious talent, which he showed at every level. Instead he heard only taunts from opponents, spectators, coaches, and even his own teammates. The problem was that he was Black. He continued to play nonetheless, adopting a style akin to the historic house slave, meant to serve but remain invisible. He was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques and played for them for two years, but spent most his years in the Junior leagues in Canada and the USA. This is a memoir about being Black while playing professional hockey, by someone who was not a star, but who had the potential to become one, and who was blocked at almost every turn simply because of the colour of his skin. Woven throughout his memoir is his love of family and especially for his brother John, also a hockey player and broadcaster, who tragically died too young, In the end, it was all too much for Bernie. Dogged and overwhelmed by racism, he finally quit hockey for a successful career in the corporate sector. For many years, Bernie buried his bad experiences in organized hockey, but with the murder of George Floyd, he felt the need to as he says: '…open a door into a world few know about, to inspire others to persevere, and to help young people today who are being introduced to the pain of blind ignorance. I have often sought to understand my story, not just tell it.' Now retired, Bernie Saunders is still sought out by the NHL and various media including ESPN for his observations and advice. A dual citizen of Canada and the USA, he now lives in South Carolina. Shut Out is a hopeful and uplifting memoir about facing adversity, overcoming it, and moving ahead."--