Today, I'm reviewing Unmasked, by Bernie Parent, with Stan Hochman.

Bernie Parent played goalie for Philadelphia in the late 1960s and the mid to late 1970s, winning two Stanley Cup titles, in 1974 and 1975. He also won the Conn Smythe trophy both years as the playoff MVP.

The book has a nice, almost low-key style to it. Unlike some books where a player will focus heavily on his childhood, due to key issues growing up or stressing a particular method of upbringing, Bernie's book moves quickly into hockey career in the junior ranks, and then up to the minor pros.

Along the way, he talks about his teammates in Philly, being traded to Toronto, leaving the NHL for the rival, rebel WHA, and then returning to Philadelphia and leading the Flyers to the promised land, not once but twice.

I found one moment to be particularly poignant; the moment where, during a game against the Rangers, the end of a hockey stick was somehow, accidentally, pushed through the eyehole of Bernie's goalie mask. See, back then, the goalies wore masks that resembled the “Jason Voorhees/Friday the 13th” mask.

Players tried multiple times, but no one was able to recreate just how it happened. All Bernie knew was that he was blind in one eye. His career was over, just like that. There is, however, ultimately a positive to this particular story. Sixteen years after that freak accident, the one that took his eyesight, Bernie met a doctor that would change his life. This doctor, through a long surgical procedure, restored Bernie's vision to 20/15.

As the book closes, Bernie reflects on the state of today's hockey game, for better or worse. He also looks back on playing in the Winter Classic Alumni Game, with the Flyers Alums.

All in all, it's a wonderful book, by a Hall of Fame goalie. You don't have to be a Flyers fan to really get behind Bernie and his jovial outlook on life. I'm sure anyone who saw me reading probably wondered why I kept smiling. Read the book and you will find out as well.

Special thanks to Triumph Books for making this title available for reviewing purposes

Link to Triumph Books: http://www.triumphbooks.com/products/unmasked_/1572436509.php

Link to Powell's City of Books: http://www.powells.com/biblio/61-9781600787614-0

Link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Unmasked-Bernie-Parent-Street-Bullies/dp/1600787614/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385765763&sr=1-1&keywords=Unmasked%3A+Bernie+Parent+and+the+Broad+Street+Bullies

Link to Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unmasked-bernie-parent/1111318001?ean=9781600787614