Was It Worth It: One Game. One Dream. One Broken Family.

Was It Worth It: One Game. One Dream. One Broken Family.

Was It Worth It is a raw, unflinching look at the price some families pay in pursuit of the pro athlete dream. This gripping sports fiction novel follows Henry, a father who uproots his family from England to Canada in a relentless pursuit to give his son, Noah, every chance to reach the NHL. Before Noah could even walk, Henry had already mapped out the first 18 years of his life, planning every step, every sacrifice, all leading to the NHL Draft. Fueled by his own shattered dream of playing professional hockey, Henry pours everything into his son’s journey, vowing to stop at nothing to make him the best. What begins as love and dedication slowly turns into obsession, blurring the line between support and control. This novel will hit home for moms, dads, former players, current athletes, and anyone navigating the high-stakes world of youth sports. The question lingers until the very end: Was it worth it? "Pleased to support Nick Orlando's Was It Worth It and the message it aims to share with the hockey community." Larry Robinson - 10× Stanley Cup Champion / Hockey Hall of Famer "Happy to endorse Nick Orlando's book Was It Worth It. A must read for all families with children in youth sports" Alex Anthopoulos - 2021 World Series Champion / MLB Executive of the Year "Was It Worth It is a powerful and compelling book far beyond sports. A must-read that forces parents to reflect on family balance, perspective and encouragement over criticism." Vincent Damphousse - Former NHL Captain / Stanley Cup Champion / Olympic Gold Medalist "Nick has written a fantastic book that every hockey parent should read. Whether your child is just starting or has been involved for years, this is a book that has great lessons and insight that parents need to learn and share. I highly recommend it and remind parents that a healthy family life is more important than anything that goes on at the rink." Craig Hartsburg - Former NHL Captain / Team Canada Gold Medalist / NHL Coach Nick Orlando is a highly respected hockey trainer based in Montreal, with over 20 years of experience developing elite athletes. Renowned for his unmatched intensity, innovative programming, and relentless focus on player growth, he has become a trusted leader in the hockey training world.Certified at the HP1 Level through Hockey Canada, Nick has spent two decades sharpening the skills of players at every stage-from rising minor hockey stars to more than fifty current and former NHL players. His training philosophy blends precision execution, speed, and game-specific scenarios, creating an environment where athletes are consistently pushed to-and beyond-their limits.As Director of Hockey at Hockey Etcetera, one of Canada's premier training facilities, Nick oversees programs that draw top-tier talent from across Quebec and beyond. His clientele spans the full spectrum of elite hockey: draft-eligible AAA standouts, Prep School prospects, USHL and Jr. A leaders, QMJHL and CHL stars, NCAA athletes, and professionals from the AHL, KHL, and NHL.Nick is also the creator of the Hockey Etcetera Mentorship Camp, widely regarded as one of the most prestigious hockey camps in the world. Designed for the best of the best, it brings together elite talent from across North America and beyond, fostering an atmosphere of competition, development, and leadership. In just a few years, MENTORSHIP CAMP has become a proven launching pad for the next generation of hockey stars.During the COVID-19 pandemic, when traditional gameplay was halted, Nick pioneered Ironman Hockey, a unique concept for Novice-level players. The program was an instant success and remains a staple in early player development today.More than a coach, Nick Orlando is a builder of talent, a mentor to the next generation, and a name synonymous with high-performance hockey development across Canada and the United States.