Lou Vairo - (Hardcover)

About the Book

The remarkable autobiography of Lou Vairo, the "Godfather of Hockey," who propelled the game to unprecedented heights in the United States. Vairo has been involved in the sport for over six decades, from coaching youth hockey to scouting for the gold medal 1980 Miracle on Ice Olympic team, coaching the 1984 Olympic team, and coaching in the NHL.

Book Synopsis

The remarkable autobiography of Lou Vairo, the "Godfather of Hockey," who propelled the game to unprecedented heights in the United States. Vairo has been involved in the sport for over six decades, from coaching youth hockey to scouting for the gold medal 1980 Miracle on Ice Olympic team, coaching the 1984 Olympic team, and coaching in the NHL.

Review Quotes

I have met many people in my long ice hockey career. A few people stick in your mind. Lou Vairo is perhaps the one who has stuck in my mind the most. What a fantastic person. A heart of gold and a knowledge of our beloved sport like no other. Many people owe a lot to his tireless efforts and dedication to promoting ice hockey worldwide. A brilliant motivator and lifelong friend. Lou has a special place in my heart forever.

I met Lou the Summer of 1979 at a tryout camp for the USA World Junior Team in Austin, MN. Coach Vairo was there to pick the top 20 players while spreading the word to all 60 participants of how the sport could be played, hoping each of us would return to our teams to carry the message.

Each day was filled with on- and off-ice drills never before seen in North America; drills that opened my eyes to a new, more exciting way of playing the game.

More importantly, he emphasized the highest level of compete while respecting the game and all involved, from opponents, referees, parents, fans, rink operators, you name it. Treat others as you would like to be treated, which is something he still lives by today.

Along with his love for our country, Lou Vairo was instrumental in introducing the way the game is played today and why he is in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame!

I am forever grateful for his coaching, mentorship, and most of all, friendship!

Lou Vairo had a huge impact on my life and as a hockey player! I was just 17 years old when he chose me to play for Team USA WJC hockey team and I could tell he was way ahead of his time. That was a big reason I could make the jump from high school to the NHL. He is one of the Godfathers of USA hockey and a big reason USA hockey is where it is today!

Lou Vairo is a visionary and pioneer in the world of hockey, demonstrating an unwavering love and dedication to the sport. With a curious mind and a passion for learning, he has immersed himself in studying the finest players and coaches from diverse backgrounds, integrating their strategies to enhance the game globally. His invaluable contributions have impacted multiple generations, showcasing his ageless and selfless commitment to nurturing talent and fostering development in others. Beyond his profound influence on hockey, Lou's versatility shines through his capacity to bridge cultural gaps, endearing himself to the entirety of European hockey while successfully adapting and enriching the sport in the United States. In every interaction, Lou remains a beacon of wisdom and encouragement, empowering others to excel and contribute to the sport. His enduring legacy is a testament to his remarkable character and unwavering dedication to the growth and evolution of hockey.

Lou Vairo was ahead of his time when it came to training and on-ice systems. When I played for him in the 1984 Olympics, those six months that we trained before the games, his methods brought my game to a different level and helped me transition to the player I became. I was honored to have played for him. He was truly one of the best USA coaches for development of players, and still is.

One of the innovators of modern hockey. His knowledge, commitment and dedication made this wonderful game the best game on earth. Over 40 years I've known Lou as an educator for young players around the globe.

There is no living American who has done more for USA Hockey than Lou Vairo. Lou went from playing roller hockey in Brooklyn to coaching the US Olympic Hockey Team. Lou has seen and done it all for USA Hockey. This book is a must read for any hockey fan.

About the Author

Lou Vairo has coached hockey players at every level in the game and was instrumental in the development of hockey in the United States for parts of the past six decades. Vairo has served as head coach of the US National Junior Team, head coach of the US Men's National Team, scout to the gold medal-winning 1980 US Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, head coach of the 1984 US Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, and assistant coach for the 2002 US Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team. Vairo was also an assistant coach for the NHL's New Jersey Devils. Vairo was USA Hockey's director of special projects and was the driving voice in the formation of the Diversity Task Force. He was honored twice for his lifetime commitment to hockey, receiving both the John "Snooks" Kelley Founders Award from the American Hockey Coaches Association and the Walter Yaciuk Award from USA Hockey's Coaching Education Program. Vairo received the NHL's Lester Patrick Trophy in 2000 and in 2010 was named the recipient of the International Ice Hockey Federation's Paul Loicq Award. In May of 2022, he was inducted into the New York State Hockey Hall of Fame.

Michael McKinley is a journalist, author, screenwriter, and filmmaker. The author of more than a dozen books, his most recent book, Willie: The Game Changing Story of the NHL's First Black Player, was named to the Top 20 Books of 2020 by the CBC and nominated for a 2021 NAACP Image Award as best biography. His most recent projects for TV and film include works for NBC Peacock, Nightfox Entertainment, and CNN. He created, cowrote, and produced The Two Marys for CNN, winner of the Gracie Award for Best Hour-long Documentary. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. See more at www.libertayo.com.