Between the Pipes A YA hockey novel about fear, focus, and belonging. Seventeen-year-old Cole Ducharme was born to guard the net. But after one mistake cost his team the championship, his shaking hands made him a viral joke and a ghost in his own crease. Now, on a tense road-trip season with the Norcrest Wolves , every shot tests more than his reflexes—it tests his mind. As pressure builds, Cole must learn that control isn’t perfection—it’s trust , and that courage means breathing through the noise , not erasing it. With the help of a hard-edged coach, a too-honest teammate, and the quiet rhythm of skates on ice, he discovers that sometimes the hardest save isn’t the puck—it’s himself. A powerful coming-of-age story for fans of Beartown , Check, Please! and Friday Night Lights , this novel blends sports realism, mental-health insight, and lyrical YA storytelling . Includes: Glossary of hockey terms for new readers - Teacher & coach discussion guide with reflection questions - Author’s note on real breath-control techniques used by goalies