Hockey Book Reviews.com: 2007 Hockey DVDs

By now fans know me now as The Hockey History Blogger. But my long time readers know me as a big fan of international hockey as well. There's two DVD releases just in time for Christmas 2007 that will have international hockey fans stoked.

The first is '72 Complete gift set is the second major dvd set about the 1972 Summit Series. The first, Canada's Team of the Century: The Best of '72, was a huge success. '72 Complete will cater more to the hard core fans, as the 8 games in the series have already been released and are already in many people's collection. '72 Complete does feature a bonus exhibition game against the Swedes, as well as many new features such as interviews, Hall of Fame coverage, an original documentary, reunion dinner coverage and a feature called Where Were You in '72?. Judging by early results, '72 Complete is going to be another unqualified success. The 1972 Summit Series will never die.

Another favorite international tournament is the World Junior Hockey Championships. Well in Canada's Juniors: The Gold Standard. The WJC's have become a holiday season ritual in Canada and is symbolic of our country’s hockey well-being. 2007 marks the 25th anniversary of Canada's Program of Excellence whereby we sent a national team of our best junior players to dominate tournament history: 13 gold medals thirteen gold medals and ten more medals overall than the nearest rival, Russia. The DVD set includes 6 complete games: Canada vs USSR 1982, Canada vs. Czechoslovakia 1985, Canada vs. USSR 1988, Canada vs. USSR 1991, Canada vs. Sweden 1993 and Canada vs. Russia 2005.

Don Cherry returns with his rock 'em, sock 'em series. We're on Don Cherry 19 now folks! And of course the NHL has to put out their Stanley Cup champions DVD. You can relive all the action of the 2007 Stanley Cup finals in NHL Stanley Cup Champions 2006-2007: Anaheim Ducks. What more could a Ducks fan wish for this holiday season, besides the return of Scott Niedermayer of course!

Speaking of playoffs, who doesn't love game seven? Well, thanks to the NHL, one of the most common stocking stuffers for hockey fans every where will be NHL: Greatest Moments in Stanley Cup History: Game 7 Collection. You can relive six classic game 7's from the Stanley Cup finals. The 6 matches include Edmonton vs Philadelphia in 1987, Vancouver vs. New York Rangers in 1994, Colorado vs. New Jersey in 2001, Anaheim vs. New Jersey in 2003, Tampa Bay vs. Calgary in 2004 and Carolina vs. Edmonton in 2006.

Perhaps you're just looking to relive some classic moments of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Perhaps you're specifically looking to re-experience the magnificence of Mario Lemieux. Well the, The Ten Greatest Games in Pittsburgh Penguins History is definitely for you. The 10 disc collection includes the following games in their entirety:

May 25, 1991 - Penguins vs. North Stars: Penguins claim their first Stanley Cup®
April 25, 1989 - Penguins vs. Flyers: Mario explodes for 5 goals and 8 points in epic playoff battle--Pittsburgh's first playoff berth since Mario Lemieux's arrival
April 9, 1993 - Penguins vs. Rangers: Penguins set NHL® record with 16th consecutive win as Lemieux erupts for 5 goals
June 1, 1992 - Penguins vs. Blackhawks: Penguins clinch back-to-back Stanley Cups® sweeping the series in 4 games
April 24, 1996 - Penguins vs. Capitals: The Penguins and Capitals take four overtimes to decide Game Four of the 1996 conference quarterfinals as the Pens come out on top 3-2
April 13, 1991 - Penguins vs. Devils: Frank Pietrangelo makes what is simply known as 'The Save' in a 4-3 win in Game Six of the Patrick Division semifinals
May 10, 2001 - Penguins vs. Sabres: Darius Kasparaitis joins the rush and scores the OT winner in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals
December 27, 2000 - Penguins vs. Maple Leafs: Lemieux emerges from retirement in dramatic fashion with a goal and 2 assists
December 13, 2006 - Penguins vs. Flyers: Sidney Crosby has a 6 point night to take over the NHL® scoring lead in only his sophomore season
October 24, 2006 - Penguins vs. Devils: The 18, 19 and 20-year-old trio of Jordan Staal, Sidney Crobsy, and Evgeni Malkin each score a goal; Malkin's being a highlight for the ages, in a 4-2 win over Martin Brodeur and the Devils

The Penguins DVD follows in the footsteps of Philadelphia Flyers 10 Greatest Games, Nhl (National Hockey League): Detroit Red Wings and NHL Original Six Series: NY Rangers 1994 Stanley Cup Champions.

Long suffering Chicago Blackhawks fans have been waiting for the Stanley Cup in 1961. Not too many people remember that championship nowadays, so I'm really excited about The Forgotten Champs. This DVD is the story of the 1961 Stanley Cup Playoffs saw the Chicago Blackhawks battle the Detroit Red Wings for six hard fought games before winning the Stanley Cup for the first time in 23 years.

And finally, Peter Puck is making a comeback. You have to wait until December 4th, 2007, but the complete original series will be available in Peter Puck How to Play the Game. Best of all, it looks quite inexpensive.

There's a whole generation or two that don't really know who Peter Puck is. He was "an overnight success" after his television debut in 1974. Starring on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada and NBC's Hockey Game of the Week, the lovable Peter Puck explained the rules and how to play the game in a comical fashion. Produced by Hanna-Barbera (known for cartoons like The Flintstones and Scooby Doo), Peter Puck is a true classic. Here's hoping he has a bigger comeback than Gordie Howe or Mario Lemieux!

Here's a little snippet of Peter Puck, just for old time's sake.