TBC: Breakaway

If there's one thing that's true about the intersection where hockey meets published writing, it's that there simply aren't a lot of great books about women's hockey. The ones that have been written are good, but they're mostly biographical and historical looks at the game that don't really give you an up-to-date sense on where women's hockey has been, the fight to get where they are today, and what may come next. Today, however, we have a book that gets us pretty close to that moment as Teebz's Book Club is proud to review Breakaway: The PWHL and the Women Who Changed the Game, written by Karissa Donkin and published by Goose Lane Editions. Karissa opens the door to one team's ups and downs through the first season of the PWHL, and she looks at some of the bigger moments and personal stories from that season in her new book that's due out on September 23, 2025.

From her biography, "Karissa Donkin writes about women's hockey and the PWHL for CBC Sports and has worked in newspapers and broadcasting for more than a decade. Since 2016, she has been working with CBC's Atlantic investigative unit, covering stories that regularly air on national programs across all of CBC's platforms. Her recent work on New Brunswick's Child Protective Services was profiled on The Current. She has won a National Newspaper Award and several Atlantic Journalism Awards for her investigative work. Her journalism was also nominated for the prestigious Michener Award. Breakaway is her first book." Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Donkin's also a St. Thomas University graduate where she worked for The Aquinian, STU's student newspaper while earning her degree.

be funded. For those thinking that Donkin wrote Breakaway: The PWHL and the Women Who Changed the Game from an investigative journalism perspective, I'll kill that suspense by saying that this book is not some sort of exposé on the game. Instead, Donkin blends women's hockey history, the efforts that led to the PWHL being created, the Montreal Victoire's first season, and a number of personal stories from the players into one great book that should allow any hockey fan to get up to speed with the women's hockey movement in North America. I'll add that you don't need intimate knowledge of women's hockey to enjoy this book.

Admittedly, the entire historical look at women's hockey isn't contained in the first few chapters nor is there any examination outside of the leagues outside of North America, but this might be better since it keeps the writing focused on the eventual goal of the PWHL. Donkin spends time talking about the NWHL, the CWHL, the second NWHL, the PWHPA, and the PHF in the first few chapters to give us a framework from where the push for the PWHL started. She explains how Billie Jean King, Stan Kasten, and the Walter Group got involved in the rise of women's hockey, and how their efforts with a few key players allowed the PWHL to be realized and founded.

The portion of Breakaway that I found most interesting was Donkin's look at some of the bigger things that happened in the league in that first season of play while following the Montreal Victoire, then known as PWHL Montreal. As you may know, I appreciate the player's stories about their individual journeys and some of the struggles they've faced, and Donkin does an excellent job in highlighting a number of players whose stories should be told. Among these players are Erin Ambrose, Catherine Dubois, Laura Stacey, and Marie-Philip Poulin, and each of them have their own unique path in reaching the PWHL.

Perhaps one of the best stories was about Montreal defender Maureen Murphy. She won the PWHL's inaugural Hockey for All Award for her humanitarian work. In Breakaway, Donkin writes,

"While adjusting to pro hockey and doing law classes on the side, Murphy and her dog, Bean, had managed to fit in more than two hundred hours of volunteer work. 'We had some ups and downs this year,' Murphy told reporters after the ceremony. 'I think it's a great reminderfor all athletes that you're a person first.... I'd love to play hockey forever, but that's not realistic. So I think [I'm] kind of doing the best of both worlds.'"

Imagine how much time a law degree takes to get. Add on professional hockey games, road trips, and practices. Now add on two hundred more hours of volunteer work with several organizations while doing both of those already time-consuming endeavours, and you can see why Murphy might have been a runaway choice for the Hockey for All Award. That's simply incredible when it comes to her selflessness, and it gave me a whole new respect for Maureen because I had no idea she was doing this before reading Breakaway.

Overall, Breakaway: The PWHL and the Women Who Changed the Game is a good read from start to finish as it gives readers some solid insight into the PWHL and allows readers to learn a little more about their women's hockey heroes. Donkin doesn't write the book where you need to know a pile of women's hockey facts prior to starting the book, but you will know a lot about the PWHL once you're done. The book reads fairly easily as Donkin's writing style doesn't get too wordy, but she still accomplishes the goal of giving us a fantastic book that will please women's hockey fans. Because of the information presented and the easy-to-read presentation, Breakaway: The PWHL and the Women Who Changed the Game is certainly deserving of the Teebz's Book Club Seal of Approval!

You'll need to circle the date on the calendar as Breakaway: The PWHL and the Women Who Changed the Game won't hit bookstores until September 23, 2025. The 244-page book contains some amazing stories from the PWHL's first season and a lot of good history about women's hockey including a whole chapter on inclusion, and it should be an addition to your library. As such, I recommend When the Rangers Were Young for all readers, especially women's hockey fans!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!