What has nearly 9,000 members and continues to get even bigger? If you guessed Wedge’s Book Wall, an online book club created by Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood, then you’d be correct.
It was an idea Wedgewood, now playing in his ninth NHL season and third with Colorado, had been thinking about for a while. Specifically, starting an online book club as a way to further highlight his passion for reading and desire to share that interest with a broader audience.
Officially launching this past September on Fable, an app designed to bring readers together, Wedge’s Book Wall has since become a big hit.
With approximately 8,700 members on Fable (his related TikTok and Instagram pages have another 47,000 followers combined), the group has attracted readers from Australia, New Zealand and across Asia. Along with fans of various NHL teams and supporters who have followed Wedgewood throughout his career.
For the 34-year-old backstopper, the idea was simple – keep reading the books he already enjoyed, while creating a forum to connect with other like-minded people.
“My wife and I were talking one night, spit-balling the idea of whether I should do it or not,” Wedgewood told NHLPA.com. “I was reading the books anyway, and it’s kind of a fun way to share something I enjoy and that many others also do.”
What began as the possibility of sharing a monthly reading recommendation with a small group of people has blossomed into something much bigger.
“We have people from so many different places who have joined in, and we also have Avalanche fans, Red Wings fans, Stars fans – you get those people in a room and they’re not going at one another. I think that’s a great thing to see. It’s been really cool.”
The book club's first selection was “Dark Matter”. The group has since moved on to “Bodies of Magic” by Freya Marske.
The club follows a book-per-month schedule. Members can participate at their own pace, with chats organized to avoid spoilers.
Members have also added their own personal touch, posting photos of their bookshelves, favourite reading spots, pets keeping them company and the places where they watch Avalanche games.
“It’s a conversation starter and there are meet-ups,” Wedgewood said. “There is stuff people have already organized within the group, people making bracelets, sharing photos of where they read, what they like to read or, ‘This is my cat while I read.’ It’s been a spot where people can feel free to share some insight into themselves.”
For Wedgewood, the appeal goes far beyond discussing a book.
“It’s about shared experiences. The good thing about books is that you don’t have to be an outgoing person. You’ve read the book, I’ve read the book and others have, too, so now we can talk about it.”
He has received some moving messages along the way.
“Whether it’s someone sharing that their son is a goalie, but doesn’t like to read, and then showing them there is a goalie who does like to read, I have got a ton of those, which has been really nice.”
Those types of responses have motivated Wedgewood to think about the potential reach of the project beyond its original goal.
“For now, we want to help libraries and literacy programs and really encourage young kids to read and how life-changing that can be,” he said. “It seems like this will be something that follows me for a very long time.”
The hockey connection remains an important part of the club's identity. Wedgewood has been working with the Avalanche on theme nights that could give members an opportunity to meet in person at games.
Wedgewood is also taking to Instagram Live at the end of each month to discuss the most recently read book.
“I have a lot of content to create, which is not my forte, so it has been a new experience, but it has not been overwhelming,” he said.
Wedgewood has even managed to go top shelf.
A downtown bookstore, Little Blue Pigeon, in Colorado has created a dedicated Wedgewood shelf, featuring titles he has recommended. Following a recent Avalanche game, some fans even stopped by to purchase books from his curated selection.
“The community here and the Avs fans have been awesome,” Wedgewood said.
And while Wedgewood has toyed with the possibility of writing a book of his own one day, his immediate focus remains on growing the community and encouraging others to discover the joy of reading.
With two young children at home, he has also found inspiration in the books they enjoy, including the interactive pull-tab stories that have become household staples.
For now, Wedgewood is happy to share his love of reading and books with fellow literary enthusiasts.
“Whether it’s video games, music or books, rock concerts – everyone has their own hobbies and interests. I think reading, as I have learned more along this journey, has declined for a lot of us. It’s nice to see the space pick up and bring together a new realm of readers. I enjoy the community aspect of it.”
