Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy is a 2023 YA romance graphic novel by Faith Erin Hicks, published by First Second (a Macmillan imprint). This marks Hicks’ sixteenth graphic novel, following acclaimed works like The Nameless City series and Avatar: The Last Airbender adaptations.
The story follows Alix, our titular hockey girl, who’s thrilled to earn a spot at an elite recommendation-only hockey camp — until a fistfight with her team captain, Lindsay, jeopardizes everything. When Lindsay’s “jokes” cross the line into bullying and Alix retaliates physically, their coach threatens to withdraw Alix’s camp recommendation. Desperate to control her anger, Alix turns to an unlikely mentor: Ezra, the drama boy whose calm under pressure she secretly admired.
Their worlds couldn’t be more different. While Alix lives for early morning practices, Ezra is immersed in rehearsals for the spring musical. Yet when Alix asks for help managing her temper, Ezra agrees — not out of friendship (they’re practically strangers), but because he recognizes her struggle. He’s been there too.
But Ezra has his own unresolved anger, simmering beneath the surface toward someone from his past. Despite his doubts about being the right teacher, their unlikely mentorship begins. Neither anticipates how their collision of worlds will complicate everything — from Ezra’s friend group to Alix’s hockey team dynamics — or how profoundly they’ll impact each other.
The graphic novel excels in exploring interpersonal relationships through its dual perspectives. Hicks examines the challenges of communication across different social spheres — friendships, teams, families, and fledgling romances — with nuance. A sprawling supporting cast (Ezra’s theater friends, both characters’ families, Alix’s teammates) adds depth to these explorations.
While not central to the plot, Ezra’s sexuality forms an important backdrop. Openly queer but resistant to labels, he casually states he likes “Girls, guys, all genders!”—a stance reminiscent of Ruby in Jennifer Dugan’s Some Girls Do. His comfort with fluidity contrasts meaningfully with other characters’ struggles.
Critics praised Hockey Girl for its “compelling characters presented through captivating, expressive illustrations” (Kirkus Reviews), though some
noted the ending felt rushed — a rare critique of Hicks’ typically polished storytelling. Despite this, the novel’s authentic portrayal of teenage relationships and self-discovery makes it a standout in contemporary YA graphic fiction.