The door to hockey is opening more and more to girls and women, and author Maureen Ulrich is helping push it open just a bit more with her new series.
鈥淧ower Playsis the first book in my Young Adult girl鈥檚 hockey series,鈥� explained the Lampman area author.
Coteau Books of Regina published the series between 2007 and 2012. When Coteau ceased operations in February 2020, 鈥淚 revised and relaunched the series with Wood Dragon Books of Mossbank, SK.,鈥� she said, adding 鈥渁ll three books (Power Plays, Face Off, andBreakaway) are currently available in print and eBook formats.鈥�
And more is coming from the former teacher, who said she has been writing since age 11.
鈥淚 am nearly finished my first draft of Book Four (Shoot Out) 鈥� a brand new release 鈥� and it should be available in September,鈥� said Ulrich, a former teacher.
And her older books will get a new platform too if all goes according to plan.
鈥淛eanne Martinson, my publisher, and I hope to release Power Plays as an audiobook in 2021,鈥� she said.
The books are very much about Saskatchewan and the favoured sport of hockey.
鈥淧ower Plays is contemporary fiction,鈥� explains Ulrich, who admitted she has never been much of an athlete, but loves going to baseball, football, and hockey games. 鈥淚t takes place in Estevan. Jessie McIntyre, 14, has recently moved there from Saskatoon, and she鈥檚 having trouble fitting in. She鈥檚 bullied at school by a popular girl named Kim. Jessie鈥檚 parents encourage Jessie to join the local girls鈥� hockey team so she can make some new friends. But bullies can be found everywhere鈥攅ven the dressing room.鈥�
For the series Ulrich found inspiration close to home.
鈥淚 was inspired mainly by the Estevan Xtreme, the high school team my oldest daughter played for,鈥� she explained. 鈥淎s a teacher, I鈥檝e also seen my fair share of bullying, and teens struggling to make the right decisions.
鈥淎lthough Power Plays is not my first manuscript, it鈥檚 the first one I published.鈥�
For Ulrich the story was one well-worth penning.
鈥淧ower Plays was not only worth writing, it was also worth re-writing,鈥� she said. 鈥淎lthough I didn鈥檛 eliminate any scenes in the 2020 Power Plays, I tightened it by cutting 6000 words. I updated the language, technology, and hockey rules -- even added a hockey glossary -- to make it more relatable for today鈥檚 teens.鈥�
As for as writing goes, Ulrich said she just goes where the story leads.
鈥淚 am a pantser, meaning I write by 鈥榯he seat of my pants鈥�,鈥� she said. 鈥淏efore I start a manuscript, I have notions of what I want to happen, but I let the characters鈥� interactions lead the way. This means I have to do a great deal of revision, but it鈥檚 the way that works best for me. I like writing to be organic -- like life -- not prescriptive.鈥�
So what does the author think is the best aspect of the聽book?聽
鈥淲hen I set out to write Power Plays, I wanted to create characters who could be role models for young people鈥� said Ulrich. 鈥淲hen Tara tells Jessie, 鈥楧on鈥檛 bash your teammates,鈥� she is giving profound advice.
鈥淲e need to accept each other, in spite of our differences, and understand that no one 鈥� least of all ourselves 鈥� are perfect.鈥�
While the book is about girl鈥檚 hockey, Ulrich said she does hope for a larger audience.
The books are generally targeted at teens 12-17, 鈥渂ut my books are also appreciated by adults,鈥� she said. 鈥淔or children younger than 12, I recommend that they read the book with their parents. I bet they have some interesting conversations, based on Jessie鈥檚 experiences鈥�
Ulrich added it has been a challenge 鈥済etting the word out that a girl鈥檚 hockey book is a worthwhile read for anyone.
鈥淧ower Plays and the other books in the series are not just about hockey - they鈥檙e about life.鈥�
The author is pleased with her effort, noting an update is a nice bonus for a writer.
鈥淚 had the chance for a do-over, and I didn鈥檛 change much,鈥� said Ulrich. 鈥淚 eliminated some superfluous words and characters, which I doubt anyone will miss. I retained some iconic buildings that no longer exist 鈥� Estevan Junior High and the Estevan Civic Auditorium. I think the books are funny, gritty, and full of heart 鈥� just like most hockey players I know.鈥�
The series is available through Sask Books (Regina), McNally Robinson (Saskatoon) and Penny University Bookstore (Regina), Amazon.ca (search Maureen Ulrich), and from the author who noted, 鈥淚鈥檝e signed and mailed a number of copies to people across the country and the USA.鈥�
