In a sport where legends are forged on ice and tales of grit echo through arenas, The Original: Living Life Through Hockey by Norm Beaudin and Kim Passante skates onto the scene as a standout memoir that’s as much about life as it is about the game. Published by Briley & Baxter Publications, this 136-page treasure doesn’t just recount the career of Norm Beaudin—known as “The Original Jet” for being the first to sign with the Winnipeg Jets in 1972—it captures the soul of hockey through a lens of humor, humility, and hard-won wisdom. Co-authored with Kim Passante, a lifelong sports enthusiast with a knack for storytelling, this book is a love letter to the rink and a roadmap for navigating life’s chaos. The Original shines as a testament to passion and perseverance that every hockey fan—and every human—needs to read.

A Life on Ice, A Story for All

Norm Beaudin’s journey is the beating heart of The Original. Born into a large Francophone family in Saskatchewan, he laced up his skates with a dream that took him from a $2 makeshift Zamboni gig as a boy to the bright lights of professional hockey. With 25 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) and 335 in the World Hockey Association (WHA), Beaudin’s career spanned the Minnesota North Stars, St. Louis Blues, and, most famously, the Winnipeg Jets, where he etched his name in history as the franchise’s first signee. But this isn’t just a stat sheet memoir—it’s a chaotic, colorful ride through over five decades of triumphs and tumbles, told with the kind of candor that makes you feel like Norm’s sharing a beer with you at the bar.

Kim Passante, Beaudin’s co-author and longtime friend, brings his story to life with a warmth and clarity that’s irresistible. A Scottsdale, Arizona resident with roots in a motorsports family, Passante dove into Norm’s hockey world with the zeal of a true fan. Together, they’ve crafted a narrative that’s less about goals scored and more about lessons learned—on the ice and off.

Hockey History with a Human Touch

For puckheads, The Original is a goldmine of NHL and WHA lore. Beaudin’s insider perspective on the rough-and-tumble 1970s hockey scene—complete with the Winnipeg Jets’ Avco Cup win and the gritty realities of pro leagues—offers a front-row seat to a bygone era. Stacy Padula, the book’s editor and CEO of Briley & Baxter, nails it: “The Original is rich in NHL history and quite entertaining. Norm’s sense of humor comes through clearly in the personal stories he shares. Hockey fans throughout the world will enjoy reading this one without a doubt!” From tales of locker-room antics to the thrill of hoisting a trophy, Beaudin delivers the goods with a wry grin.

Yet what elevates this book beyond a sports chronicle is its human core. Readers don’t need to know a slap shot from a wrist shot to connect with Norm’s journey. “This very personal memoir touched me much more than I could have realized,” one reviewer admitted. “I’m not a huge hockey fan, but I love human interest stories.” Another called it “a humble hero’s tale in the rough and tumble world of professional hockey,” praising Beaudin’s “salt of the earth” roots and devotion to family and friends. It’s that blend of rink-side grit and fireside warmth that makes The Original a universal read.

Lessons That Stick Like Ice

At 80 years old, Beaudin still laces up his skates and coaches young players, a living testament to the passion that fuels this book. The Original isn’t just a look back—it’s a hand extended to the next generation. Readers rave about its life lessons, delivered with a simplicity that hits home. “Very compelling story of Norm Beaudin’s life; the challenges; how NHL teams treated their players and more,” one wrote. “Well written. A worthwhile read.” Another shared, “When I started playing hockey in 2000, Norm was the Hockey Director at TBSA… After reading his book, I learned so much more about him that I didn’t know.”

From resilience in the face of setbacks to the value of hard work, Beaudin’s insights resonate far beyond the boards. Passante’s seamless prose ties hockey to life’s broader game, showing how the sport’s chaos mirrors our own. “It was amazing how the author seamlessly wrote how hockey and life are intertwined,” a reader marveled. Whether you’re a kid dreaming of the pros or an adult navigating your own hurdles, The Original offers a playbook for pushing through with grace and grit.

A Team Effort That Wins

The partnership between Beaudin and Passante is the book’s secret sauce. Norm’s voice—earthy, funny, unflinchingly honest—pairs perfectly with Kim’s knack for turning memories into magic. Her sports-loving background and varied writing experience (poetry, marketing, legal briefs) shine through in a narrative that’s both polished and personal. Add Briley & Baxter’s commitment to meaningful stories—complete with a portion of proceeds supporting animal rescues—and you’ve got a winning team. “A great read,” one reviewer summed up. “Norm’s passion for hockey is evident… What shines through, though, is his humility.”

Since its release, The Original has earned five-star reviews and a loyal following. “Delight and amaze readers,” one said of its insights into hockey’s “rough and dangerous” world. Another passed it along to friends, calling it “a wonderful book simply written by a former player.” Its 2025 spotlight on Briley & Baxter’s blog—“Experience the raw, unfiltered journey of hockey from the ice up”—only confirms its staying power.

Why It’s a Must-Read

The Original: Living Life Through Hockey stands as a champion in its own right. It’s a book for the die-hard fan craving a slice of history, the casual reader seeking a good yarn, and anyone who’s ever faced life’s slap shots and kept skating. Norm Beaudin and Kim Passante have given us more than a memoir—they’ve gifted us a mirror to our own resilience, a celebration of passion, and a reminder that the best stories are the ones lived with heart.

So grab a copy, settle in, and let The Original take you on a ride from Saskatchewan rinks to WHA glory—and beyond. It’s not just a hockey book; it’s a life lesson in overtime, and it’s one you won’t want to miss.

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