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That’s Not Hockey!
That’s Not Hockey!
Written by Andrée Poulin, Illustrated by Félix Girard
Young Jacques Plante’s way of playing hockey may look different from everyone else’s. Instead of a puck, he uses a tennis ball, and his shin pads are made out of potato sacks and wooden slats. But that’s not going to stop him. He loves the game.
Jacques is drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in his mid-twenties. Fans love the unstoppable goalie as he leads his team to one victory after another. But there’s a price to pay: pucks to the face result in a broken jaw, broken cheekbones, multiple stitches, and even a skull fracture.
One day, Jacques has had enough. He goes on the ice wearing a fiberglass mask. The coach orders him to take it off.
Finally, at a game against the Rangers, when yet another puck hits Jacques square in the face, he puts his foot down. He will not continue to play unless he’s allowed to wear a mask.
Discussion Questions:
- When Jacques is young, he does not have proper hockey equipment. How does he find ways to keep playing his favourite game?
- Jacques plays hockey from an early age and continues to play into adulthood. Can you think of any hobbies or sports that you enjoy as much as Jacques loves hockey?
- In what ways does Jacques Plante’s courage and determination change the way that hockey is played?
- In the story, we learn that wearing his mask makes Jacques feel more confident, daring and safer. Why do you think wearing his mask helps Jacques to feel that way?
- What are some lessons we can learn from this story?
Maker Connection:
1) Using the skate template make your own skate.
Accommodation: I didn't have the kindergartens use the straw they just glued the sheet together and if they wanted to try and cut it out they could. Tim Hortons stir sticks are also a great alternative
Extension: adding laces if time
2) Students could design their own face mask using paper plates and hole punch the sides and attach string.
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