Tyler Hellard’s debut novel, “Searching for Terry Punchout,” has made it to the longlist of this year’s Canada Reads competition. A central theme among all the books on the longlist is the idea of fostering connections and relationships.
According to Hellard, “Searching for Terry Punchout” goes beyond just a hockey story, focusing on the strained relationship between a father and son who have been distant for many years. As the main character, Adam, returns home, he begins to rebuild connections with his friends, family, and the wider community, highlighting the importance of personal bridges within family and friendships.
Originally published in 2018, “Searching for Terry Punchout” was a finalist for the 2019 Amazon Canada First Novel Award and the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize. Hellard drew inspiration from his upbringing in Summerside, where hockey played a significant role in shaping his narrative. The small-town hockey dynamics depicted in the novel resonate with his own experiences of unity through sports.
While still maintaining a love for sports, Hellard noted a shift in his perspective towards them as he has grown older. Excited about upcoming sporting events like the Olympics, World Baseball Classic, and World Cup, he acknowledged the flaws within sports organizations but emphasized the enjoyment of the games themselves.
Being included on this year’s Canada Reads longlist has reignited interest in his book and motivated Hellard to resume writing after a six-year hiatus. He expressed plans to venture into non-fiction writing, particularly focusing on a book about wrestling. With a newfound momentum, he aims to complete both projects by the year’s end.
Despite the competition aspect of Canada Reads, Hellard appreciates the platform for its promotion of reading culture. Grateful for the recognition, he intends to savor the experience, acknowledging the value of the competition beyond just the winning title.