Jack Falla

Jack Falla (1944-2008) was an American sportswriter and journalism professor known for his hockey writing and books that captured the culture and spirit of the sport. His most acclaimed works include "Home Ice: Reflections on Backyard Rinks and Frozen Ponds" and "Open Ice: Reflections and Confessions of a Hockey Lifer." As a journalist, Falla wrote for publications including Sports Illustrated and The Boston Globe, covering professional and amateur hockey at all levels. He taught sports journalism at Boston University for over two decades, influencing a generation of sportswriters while continuing to write books and articles. His particular focus on backyard rinks and hockey culture earned him recognition as one of the sport's most insightful chroniclers. Falla's personal experiences maintaining his own backyard rink in Natick, Massachusetts, informed much of his writing about hockey's community aspects and family traditions. Falla's work extended beyond just game coverage, delving into the social and cultural significance of hockey in North America. His final book, "Open Ice," was published shortly before his death while jogging near his home in 2008.

Hockey fans praise Falla's authentic voice and deep understanding of the sport's culture, particularly in "Home Ice." Readers connect with his personal stories about backyard rinks and family traditions. What readers liked: - Detailed, practical advice for building and maintaining backyard rinks - Balance of technical knowledge with emotional storytelling - Captures the community spirit of hockey - Clear, unpretentious writing style What readers disliked: - Some essays feel repetitive across books - Technical sections too detailed for casual readers - Limited appeal outside hockey community Ratings across platforms: Amazon: 4.7/5 (Home Ice), 4.6/5 (Open Ice) Goodreads: 4.2/5 average across all works Reader quote from Amazon: "Falla writes about hockey the way others write about religion - with reverence, passion and deep understanding of its role in people's lives." Library Journal noted his ability to "transform mundane maintenance tasks into meaningful reflections on family and community."

Home Ice - Essays and reflections on building and maintaining a backyard ice rink, interweaving themes of hockey, family, and community.

Open Ice - A collection of essays exploring hockey culture through personal experiences at various rinks across North America.

Saved - A novel following a former NHL goalie who becomes involved in investigating suspicious circumstances at a private school.

Snow Ice - Personal essays examining winter sports and the cultural significance of cold-weather activities in New England.

The Names of Games - Journalistic stories and profiles focusing on sports legends and their impact on American culture.

Dan Barry writes about sports, small towns, and human connections in non-fiction books and newspaper columns. His storytelling style and focus on community parallels Falla's backyard rink narratives and sports culture observations.

Roy MacGregor covers hockey culture and Canadian life through both fiction and non-fiction works. His books examine the intersection of sport and community, similar to Falla's exploration of how hockey binds people together.

Fred Waitzkin chronicles personal sports obsessions and family relationships in his memoirs and non-fiction. His writing reveals the deep connections between sports participation and family life, a central theme in Falla's work.

W.P. Kinsella combines sports with elements of nostalgia and human relationships in his baseball fiction. His focus on how sports create connections between people and places mirrors Falla's hockey-centered narratives.

Bill Reynolds writes about basketball and New England sports culture through a personal lens. His combination of memoir and sports journalism reflects Falla's approach to storytelling about athletics and community.