“Reading One Game at a Time was powerfully nostalgic as it reminded me of the power of hockey to connect. Harnarayan’s words transported me into his living room with his family to watch Hockey Night in Canada; it was on nights just like those, between periods, that I would lace up and jump on our backyard rink to take shots on our net. Meanwhile, on those very same evenings, a young Harnarayan was perfecting his craft practicing goal calls, in a small town hundreds of kilometres away. Hockey unites us and I appreciate Harnarayan’s remarkable ability to draw us into his gratitude for the game throughout this career, because I too know that gratitude.”
— Hayley Wickenheiser, 4-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Women's Hockey
“Whenever I hear Harnarayan call hockey I think to myself, ‘He’s singing the game.’ It’s exciting, lyrical, and beautiful. His story is one of dreams, passion, sacrifice, and dedication; his lesson is about unity and respect—all while creating a new language for hockey.”
— Jeff Marek, NHL host on Sportsnet
“Come for the story of what Harnarayan Singh says to people who tell him to ‘go back where he came from’; stay for BoninoBoninoBonino and the hard-working kid from ‘the only Sikh family in Brooks’ living out his dreams on Hockey Night in Canada.”
— Bob McKenzie, TSN Hockey Insider and author of Hockey Confidential
“One Game at a Time is a work that should be read by everybody, not just those in the hockey world. Harnarayan takes the reader on a journey across the globe and back in time, relating his experiences of balancing his own faith and culture with Canada’s favourite sport. His work ethic and commitment to be an amazing broadcaster, as well as a strong advocate for social and racial equality is truly inspiring. I’m so happy for all of his success and I urge everyone to read and learn from his story, as I have.”
— Nick Bonino, NHL player
“Harnarayan has to be one of the hardest-working people I know. He was given an opportunity and didn’t only just take advantage of that opportunity, but he crushed it out of the park. He will always be someone I value not only as a hockey broadcaster, but as a person. I have known him a long time, well before he became this amazing broadcaster, and he is just as humble and genuine today as he was the day I first met him.”
— Cassie Campbell-Pascal, Olympian and hockey broadcaster
“Being a trailblazer is never easy but with steadfast perseverance, Harnarayan Singh overcame challenges most people would have found insurmountable. Harnarayan is a true Canadian success story.”
— Kelly Hrudey, analyst, Hockey Night in Canada and Sportsnet, and author of Calling the Shots
“So many people told Harnarayan that his dream to be a hockey commentator was ‘impossible.’ The fact that he is now living his dream speaks to the opportunities and values that define our country. What a story”
— Brian Williams, O.C. Legendary Olympic Broadcaster
“One Game at a Time is the hockey story that Canada needs right now. Singh offers us a unique narrative, but one that is also extremely recognizable to those of us who have never quite fit into the commonly told stories about hockey in Canada. It is a beautiful story about determination and resilience in the face of discrimination, while also highlighting the power that allies have in creating space for new people and diverse perspectives.”
— Courtney Szto, Assistant Professor, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University
“Give Harnarayan Singh the Masterton. His is a story of perseverance and dedication to hockey—a small-town kid from Brooks, Alberta who wouldn’t say no to any of the obstacles in his path.”
— Eric Duhatschek, senior writer, The Athletic
“There is freedom and power and, most importantly, healing in these pages.”
— Ron MacLean, from the Foreword
This is everyone's game.
This is everyone's game.
Hockey is the fabric of Canadian culture. There is no better way to bridge the gap between diverse communities, than through the power and universality of sport. Through the efforts of Harnarayan Singh and his team, the tradition of multiple generations of one family watching hockey together, has continued onwards in the multi-cultural living rooms of today's Canadian house-holds. Ethnically diverse Canadians are discovering camaraderie amongst colleagues, through a mutual passion for the game of hockey.
The face of the country has changed drastically since the days when the Canada Cups were played for. The sport of hockey is finally becoming more diverse, something which was desperately needed, given stagnant numbers in enrolment in minor hockey. It has become commonplace for Harnarayan to hear from parents across the country, that their children are playing minor hockey because his influence. This is evident through the increasing diversity in minor hockey associations throughout Canada.
A small town, southern Alberta boy, had a dream to one day become a hockey commentator, but along the way, many told him his goal was impossible. This is the story of Harnarayan Singh. One of his passions, is to share his journey to success. Despite differences in his appearance and cultural background from mainstream society, he often speaks about how North America is a place where dreams can come true. Persevering through challenges and keeping hopes alive through obstacles are the keys that lead Harnarayan onward.