Behind "The Code"

[VodkaFish]

Behind "The Code"
An interview with Ross Bernstein, author of The Code: The Unwritten Rules of Fighting and Retaliation in the NHL.

You can win a copy of the book: Rules | Entries

[Captain Crunch28]

Good read, keep up the good work David!!

[Smerri1029]

But there was a great story too. I love this story, about Neal Broten and Gretzky getting in that fight. And you know, they were both lightweights so they let them go. But Neal said he was in the penalty box and ten guys skated by and looked at him and scowled and said 'You're dead!' And he looked up and realized that half of those guys were his own teammates.

Because now they realized that they were going to have to face Semenko and McSorley and all these other tough guys from Edmonton . Because that's how it worked – you touched Gretzky and there was hell to pay.

That was great. Got a kick out of reading that.

They're the most real, down-to-earth guys. When hockey players get rich, they buy new SUVs and fishing boats. They don't live the lifestyle of basketball players or football players. They're a totally different animal. I've written all different sports books for different sports. I've written biographies on everyone from Barry Bonds to Kevin Garnett.

And hockey players don't let guys get too big for their britches. They'll just get beat up or abused by their teammates. They don't drive fancy cars. And you know what? Most of them come from pretty modest, humble places. That's just not their nature.

Unless they move to New York and 'live the life', a lot of them just don't live that way. They're pretty quiet guys.

Something I have known for a while, but nice to see someone who has been involved in all sports come out and say it. Shean Donovan, while not an all-star drives an Ford F250 Pick-Up truck with no bed liner. It looks like is just came from a long day on a construction site.

And you look at playoff hockey and the injuries and you learn in talking to team doctors how part of the code says, you get stitched up between shifts, not periods. You play hurt.

Hockey players are ****ing warriors man. No way some baseball player would play hurt. Hell, he could break a nail and want to go on the 15 Day DL. Hockey players want to, and will play through anything. Especially in the playoffs!

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Excellent interview VF. Hopefully Bernstein will come out with some more books.

Thanks to the both of you for taking the time to do the interview, and to VF for putting it all together for the site.

[TheBoogeyman]

Quote:
But there was a great story too. I love this story, about Neal Broten and Gretzky getting in that fight. And you know, they were both lightweights so they let them go. But Neal said he was in the penalty box and ten guys skated by and looked at him and scowled and said 'You're dead!' And he looked up and realized that half of those guys were his own teammates.

Because now they realized that they were going to have to face Semenko and McSorley and all these other tough guys from Edmonton . Because that's how it worked – you touched Gretzky and there was hell to


-That is some of the best stuff I have read in a while. Awesome read, Thanks.

[FreakNasty]

I bought this book for myself at christmas, and it did not disappoint. Great quotes and insight into the fighting world of hockey. Perhaps even more surprising were the candid quotes from referees like Paul Stewart, who talks of enjoying watching the fights. If you are a true fight fan, you need this book. It was awesome.

[Strife]

Nice interview! Very good read.

[Humpzilla]

Very good book. An even better interview.

Awesome work VF!

[hatandm]

This is a very good book. It can be a little repetative at times, but it is very enjoyable with many good stories.

[Lead]

Great interview.
Cant wait till I get my hands on this book. I belive this is a must have book for every hockey fight fan outhere.

[TheBoogeyman]

Is their a specific spot to get this book, or is it selling at regular book stores?

[jayc948]

Originally Posted by TheBoogeyman

Is their a specific spot to get this book, or is it selling at regular book stores?

You should be able to find it at your regular book store...

[TheBoogeyman]

Originally Posted by jayc948

You should be able to find it at your regular book store...

Alright Ill have to check it out, thanks.

Sounds like a good read.

[DICE]

Here in Minnesota i got it at Barnes and Noble. It was out right by the checkout cue. I loved the story in the book about the North Stars/Philly brawl at the old Met Center. I was there as an 8 year old and thought it one of the coolest things I'd ever seen! This book is a must for EVERY hockey fan!!!

[south-paw]

I got this book at Christmas from my wife.......she probably didn't think i'd be burried in it for the rest of the break. I didn't even want to open anymore gifts, I was sneaking pages in while she was opening her gifts.
Great book , Great interview!

[lampington]

how can you write about the rules of fighting and retaliation and then name the book:

The "Unwritten Rules" of Fighting and Retaliation in the NHL.

doesn't that then make them "the written rules"?

i'm so confused...