Q&A with The Longest Shot authors Chad Soon and George Chiang - The Orca Blog

What main takeaways do you hope for readers after they finish your book?

GC: Our aim was to tell Larry’s story and shed light on a period when racism pervaded not only the realm of hockey but also society at large. We hope that readers will learn that by doing your best, through unwavering determination and hard work, you can overcome anything to realize your dreams.

CS: In his review, Daniel Gawthrop writes, “By the time they finish this book, young readers of The Longest Shot will be left wondering: Why on earth has Larry Kwong been excluded from the Hockey Hall of Fame?” I’m pretty sure I squealed when I read that. Larry has not got the recognition he deserves. Not even close. But there’s a growing campaign to change that. My friend Chris Woo started a petition that has almost 12,000 people calling for Larry’s induction into the Hall of Fame.

My hope is that readers find a hero in Larry, too. We could certainly use more changemakers like him today.

What still needs to happen to make hockey a more welcoming and diverse sport?

GC: Promoting diversity in hockey would include empowering people of color in pivotal roles, including coaches, scouts, general managers and other team and league officials at all levels.

CS: Larry’s story can help! Larry was told he didn’t look like a hockey player. But he was one of the best. It’s important to show that diverse people have been contributing to the game for a long, long time. Larry made every team he was on better. He helped to grow the sport in Europe. One of the ways his legacy lives on is in the Larry Kwong Memorial Hockey 4 Youth program. Started by Moezine Hasham, Hockey 4 Youth is working across the country to remove the financial and cultural barriers that keep young people out of the sport. In Vernon, our group is made up of mostly new Canadian students, including refugees, but also Indigenous kids and others born here who were previously sidelined by the cost. We speak nine different languages, but all smile the same while playing this great game. Moezine’s motto is “The only barrier should be the boards.” I know Larry would have agreed with that!…

for the full interview, click here.