Chad Soon nearly fell out of his chair when he saw his book on the computer screen.
Soon, from Vernon, a Grade 5 teacher at Mission Hill Elementary, was watching the live streaming of the Canadian Children's Book Centre's seven major awards for 2025, celebrating Canadian books for young people.
When it came time to announce the finalists for the Sharon Fitzhenry Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction, Soon's book The Longest Shot – How Larry Kwong Changed the Face of Hockey – was among those read out by the narrator.
The book was published by Orca Book Publishers.
"It's super exciting," said Soon of the nomination. He co-authored the book with Stouffville, Ont.'s George Chiang while Amy Qi of Markham, Ont. provided the illustrations.
"It's Larry's book. It's Larry's story. His daughter said he would have been thrilled and happy with the way his story is told."
The Longest Shot is the story of Vernon's Larry Kwong, who left the family home in downtown Vernon to become the first player of Asian descent to play in the National Hockey League when he took a one-minute shift for the New York Rangers in the third period of a game in March 1948 at the old Forum against the Montreal Canadiens.
Soon's book impressed the nomination panel, who wrote of the book:
“With a wonderful narrative style and a mix of bright illustrations and photographs, this is an incredibly compelling and enlightening story of the amazing Larry Kwong — the first NHLer of Asian descent… Larry's story is important in making young readers aware of the shameful history of racism that the NHL is only slowly beginning to redress… Despite the racism and discrimination that he had to fight every step of his career, Larry Kwong never gave up and was an amazing hockey superstar… This is a story of resilience and an important chapter in Canadian hockey history; Larry Kwong's story will educate and warm hearts of readers young and old.”
The book is among five finalists for the Fitzhenry award, which carries with it a $10,000 first prize. The award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction is new in 2025, with the Fitzhenry Family Foundation providing the award prize.
The winner will be announced Monday, Oct. 27, in Toronto.
The nominated titles in all seven categories "represent exceptional quality of work by Canadian book creators from across the country," said CCBC. "Each nominated title captures the imaginations of young readers and was chosen by our juries to represent the best in their category."
Soon's book is also a non-fiction finalist for the 2025-2026 Red Cedar Book Awards, which "encourages kids, families, and educators from across B.C. to read the nominated non-fiction and fiction books, talk about, and vote for their favourite titles.
The Longest Shot is up against 12 other non-fiction works.
Kwong, who died in 2018 at the age of 94, was inducted this past summer into the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame in Penticton. Soon has been championing for Kwong's induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
"I feel hockey fans should know more about Larry, and I think the league (NHL) could do more to highlight his impact," said Soon. "Not just beyond that one-minute shift, but what a big deal it was for Chinese-Canadians.
"I just hope Larry gets the recognition he deserves."
Kwong was a star in senior hockey leagues after his lone NHL shift, and finished his playing career in Europe.
