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What I liked most about this book was the honest and open way the authors described the fears and insecurities of Rob Ray, not just as he was on his way to the NHL, but once he got there, as well. We all think of professional athletes as pampered stars who believe that the world revolves around them. Rayzor's Edge shows what it is really like for a kid growing up in a small town in Canada, working his way through junior hockey, dreaming to one day play in the NHL. From his first day at junior hockey to his last day on the ice as a Buffalo Sabre, authors Ray and Bailey expose the human side of the ups and downs of a professional athlete - what scares them and what drives them - first, as a green rookie putting on a team sweater for the first time and later, as a seasoned veteran. The book is engaging, thoughtful and very well-written and I highly recommend it to all sports fans.
Rob Ray and Budd Bailey have given us a great real life story. This book is great. As far as I can tell, it's the best thing to come out of the Sabres this season. This is a book for fans and players. Gene F.
As a former Buffalo area resident and Sabres fan who has been somewhat distant from the team for quite awhile, I found a couple of sections of Rob Ray's book particularly interesting. First, he discusses the controversy surrounding star goalie Dominik Hasek's injury during the 1996 - 1997 playoffs. Later in the book, Ray offers some new (to this reader, at least) thoughts regarding the mysterious departure of Buffalo Sabres Coach Ted Nolan. If you are a Sabres and/or Rob Ray fan, you will undoubtedly enjoy this book.
Sports superstars write books all the time, often after only one good season. It is refreshing to see a sports biography written by a role player, by someone who watched many of his team's greatest moments from the bench or even in street clothes. Mostly it's the same story: How I overcame (insert minor setback here) by being blessed with incredible talent to become rich and famous.Rob Ray's story is a bit different. Ray had to struggle his whole life to make it in hockey. And it is also refreshing to read the story of a player who made it by being the ultimate team player, a guy who had to struggle through the minors to make it.The book's main weakness is the Ray may be too nice a guy. While he would happily deck anyone on the ice, he seems to hesitate to say anything that might offend anyone he played with (with the notable exception of a certain Czech goalie), or even fought against.Enjoy this book for the story of a player who did his job as best he could, and still can't seem to believe he got to play in the the bigtime.
How about some stories from the lockeroom. When I found out that Rayzor had the book coming out, I was quick to order it. He was always fun to watch, and a smart player. I wanted to know more about the off-the-ice antics; who were the best/worst fighters in the league, and why. Similar to Keith Jones' book, there are multiple errors in text that should have been caught. (I don't know if there ever was an enforcer better at goading his opponent into a penalty).The book left me wanting something different.
Overzealous fans. I'm a life-long Sabres fan, and enjoyed watching him contribute to the team over the years. Nights on the town in Buffalo. Rob tells about the history of the Sabres, from his perspective. He tells some interesting stories, but I was left wanting more. I must also note that the copy editing in the book was not great.
(Although there were many more in the Jones book).
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