The Longest Shot: How Larry Kwong Changed the Face of Hockey

The Longest Shot: How Larry Kwong Changed the Face of Hockey is a children's non-fiction chapter book by teacher/historian Chad Soon and George Chiang. It is illustrated by Chinese Canadian artist Amy Qi. The book follows the life and ice hockey career of Larry Kwong, who overcame enormous obstacles to become the first player of Asian descent to play in the National Hockey League (NHL), when he played for the New York Rangers against the Montreal Canadiens on March 13, 1948. The book was first published in 2024.

Origins
In 2007, Chad Soon forged a lasting friendship with Kwong, extending over a decade. Their bond flourished through regular phone calls and frequent face-to-face encounters, during which Soon gleaned insights into Kwong's life journey and hockey career. Soon began a campaign to honor Kwong's hockey career with inductions into the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame Pioneer Award and induction into the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame, British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame, and Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame before Kwong passed away in 2018.

Upon finding inspiration in George Chiang's book, The Railroad Adventures of Chen Sing, Soon collaborated with Chiang to write a children's book about Kwong. The project gained traction when Orca Book Publishers became involved, with editor Kirstie Hudson suggesting it be transformed into a middle-grade biography.

Plot
The narrative commences by delving into Kwong's formative years in Vernon, British Columbia, where he honed his hockey skills alongside his older siblings and local peers on frozen ponds. Rising to prominence, Kwong emerged as the standout player for his hometown team, the Vernon Hydrophones, guiding them to three consecutive appearances in the British Columbia provincial hockey championships, clinching victory twice. He earned the moniker "China Clipper," propelling him to join the esteemed Trail Smoke Eaters during 1941–42, where he ascended to their top line until the team disbanded due to World War 2.

Drafted into the Canadian military, Kwong showcased his talents in the Canadian military league for the Red Deer Army Wheelers, pitting his skills against NHL stars. Kwong then caught the eye of the New York Rangers, who extended an invitation to join their farm team, the New York Rovers. Kwong's electrifying presence on the ice captivated Chinese American fans, significantly boosting the Rovers' attendance from 2500 to 15000 per game at Madison Square Garden. Despite his stellar play, Kwong's debut in the NHL was long overdue. Finally, on March 13, 1948, against the Montreal Canadiens, Kwong made his NHL debut, albeit with a brief appearance late in the third period. Regrettably, that single one minute shift marked the zenith of his NHL career, as he was promptly reassigned to the Rovers following the game.

Kwong moved on and emerged as the linchpin for the Valleyfield Braves in the Quebec Senior Hockey League, where he showcased his prowess for numerous seasons. His illustrious career culminated in Europe, where he not only excelled as a player but also assumed coaching responsibilities in the Swiss league. The narrative extensively examines the pervasive racism that Larry Kwong confronted, both in his personal life and professional hockey career, which tragically thwarted his prospects of a sustained NHL tenure. It contextualizes Kwong's experiences within the broader historical backdrop of systemic discrimination against Chinese Canadians and Chinese Americans, exemplified by legislative measures such as the Chinese Head Tax and Chinese Exclusion Act. This examination sheds light on the enduring challenges faced by marginalized communities in overcoming barriers to inclusion and equality within society and sports.

Awards

 * 2024 Junior Library Guild Gold Standards Selection