The Winnipeg Jets - A Celebration Of Hockey In Winnipeg

There is a book out there this Christmas called The Star Wars Vault. For any fan of Star Wars movies (I hear there's a few out there), this is the ultimate book. It covers the history, the hidden stories, the quirky facts, and is loaded with memorabilia (much of it removable) and two audio CDs. I'm not even a huge fan of Star Wars, but I thoroughly enjoyed flipping through this title. It is the must have Star Wars item for Christmas 2007.

Why am I telling you this here at Hockey Book Reviews.com? Because I've found the hockey equivalent!

Studio Publications has produced The Winnipeg Jets - A Celebration Of Hockey In Winnipeg. I call it The Winnipeg Jets Vault.

Everything and anything Jets is inside this HUGE and beautiful book. So huge that it is almost cumbersome, and so beautiful that any fan of the Jets or of WHA hockey or hockey in the 1980s will want this book on their coffee tables.

When I say everything I mean everything. From Bobby Hull to Swedish imports to Avco Cups to Dale Hawerchuk to White Outs to Goals For Kids to the great farewell, all the great memories are covered. So are the odd moments, such as the infamous hairpiece incident, hockey's only deaf hockey player, blue pucks, Gretzky's near arrivals, Pokey and the Bandit, Benny the mascot, and the Queen's portrait. The stats are here, the collectibles are documented, the photographs...

I must say I am continually totally blown away by this book. It really is too bad that Studio Publications is a Manitoba based publishing house, because every team in pro sports deserves too have a book this good available for their fans. Amazing job!

By the way, if you're looking for a book on Winnipeg's other extinct hockey team, check out Eric Zweig's Long Shot: How the Winnipeg Falcons won the first Olympic hockey gold.

Black And Gold: Four Decades Of The Boston Bruins In Photographs

Black and Gold: Four Decades of the Boston Bruins in Photographs is a stunning collection of photographs of Steve Babineau, the Boston Bruins official team photographer since 1973. "Babs," as he affectionately is known, has seen a lot of hockey history through his lens in that time. Now, with writer Rob Simpson, Babineau shares his memories of one of hockey's most storied teams.

Buy at | Amazon.ca - chapters.indigo.ca - Amazon.com|
He has seen so many of the Bruins greats and greatest moments: Johnny Bucyk, Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Gerry Cheevers and cover boys Ray Bourque and Cam Neely. And don't forget about the Bruins beloved tough guys and grinder: Terry O'Reilly, Stan Jonathan, Jay Miller, Al Secord and Wayne Cashman.
There are over 300 colour and black-and-white photographs featured in the book. Many of the photos have never been published before. There are some great action shots and unique vantage points, but, from an outsiders viewpoint, there are not a whole lot of must see images. Bobby Orr in action in a Boston Braves (AHL) jersey tops the list. Terry O'Reilly clocking Steve Jensen, rookie Ray Bourque in a #29 jersey, Phil Esposito trying to score on brother Tony and a few behind-the-scenes shots of Don Cherry really stand out.
The book, published by Wiley, is well done. It is far from your normal picture/coffee table book. While Babineau's photography is the star of the show, it is the writing that really completes this book and makes it special.
Veteran journalist and broadcaster Rob Simpson provides perspective for so many of Babineau's shots. He features profiles and interviews with many former Bruins players, coaches and managers, offering first hand stories and anecdotes. The great tradition of the Bruins franchise is very evident in the text as well as the photos.
Simpson also writes from Babineau's perspective, which is often the best writing in the book. He looks at life growing up a Bruins fan, his own hockey playing days, his love of photography and working with the Bruins. I especially enjoyed Babineau's stories of his high school hockey career.
The back of the book lists all the players that wore the spoked-B in Babineau's time. Divided into categories of coaches, masked men, blueliners, scorers, enforcers and grinders, the compendium offers player names, years, stats and jersey numbers, as well as the briefest of comments. It's a neat little encyclopedic entry making this coffee table book even that much more special.
This book will be a must have this Christmas for all Bruins fans. They will learn some of the best shots in team history were not taken by names like Esposito or Neely, but by team photographer Steve "Babs" Babineau.

Canucks At 40 by Greg Douglas and Grant Kerr

Calling all Canucks fans! If there was ever a must have book for Canucks fans, this is it. Celebrate the team's 40th anniversary with this new book from veteran sports writers Greg Douglas and Grant Kerr - Canucks at 40: Our Game, Our Stories, Our Passion

Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com

There really has not been a lot of books about the Canucks in the past 40 years. So when they say this particular book has been 40 years in the making, it is almost worth the wait. From the very first game back on October 9th, 1970 to the Henrik Sedin's Art Ross and Hart trophies in 2010, the beloved team's history is relived throug the stories of our favorite personalities.

The history of the franchise is relived brilliantly, thanks to in large part to over 250 lavish photographs, many of which have never been published before. The photos that fill the glossy pages of this coffee table book capture any Canucks fan's attention upon the first cracking of the spine.

The books is so much more than just a collection of photographs. The franchise's most treasured moments are brought back to life by veteran sports journalists Greg Douglas and Grant Kerr. Many others, including Jim Hughson, Iain MacIntyre, Don Taylor, Elliott Pap and Norm Jewison, make their own contributions.

What I like best about this book is that it commemorates the franchise's history through the stories of the players. In a blue collar hockey town like Vancouver, the players - both the superstars and the characters (of which the Canucks have had many!) - are very much the heart and soul of our memories. They are without doubt the reason why we love the Canucks so much.

The authors brilliantly tell the story of the Canucks - which has not always been a great one, by any means - in chronological order of the team's stars and fan favorites. Starting with the likes of Dale Tallon, Orland Kurtenbach and "Cracklin' Rosie" Paiement of the 1970s, through to the likes of Harold Snepsts, Stan Smyl, Tiger Williams and "King Richard" Brodeur of the 1980s, through to Kirk McLean, Pavel Bure and Trevor Linden of the 1990s to more recent years of excellence starring Markus Naslund, Roberto Luongo and Sedin Twins.

Local legends like Babe Pratt, Larry Ashley and Jim Robson join fan favorites like Suitcase Smith, Ron Delorme and Gino Odjick also getting full features.

The photos wow, but it is these players profiles that are best part of this text. They offer first hand accounts, with some interesting insider stories. Reading the back-stage stories about Trevor Linden's mindset on the day of his final game or of Harold Snepsts memories of 1982 or of Kirk McLean playing down his heroics in 1994 or getting inside Roberto Luongo's head in the hometown Olympics of 2010 are the real gems that make this book great.

Conspicuous by their featured absence are Cliff Ronning, Tony Tanti, Mattias Ohlund and especially Brian Burke (he does get some space in the story of the drafting of the Sedins). I also would have liked to have seen more memoribilia featured, and maybe a side-bar countdown of the top games in team history.

All in all Canucks at 40: Our Game, Our Stories, Our Passion is good book and certainly a must have for all Canucks fans. Canucks at 40: Our Game, Our Stories, Our Passion would be the obvious Christmas gift for any Canucks fan this year.

From Orland Kurtenbach to Roberto Luongo; from the grit of Stan Smyl and Trevor Linden to the amazing skill of Pavel Bure and the Sedin Twins; from the Towel Power '82 to the magic of the 1994 playoffs, relive all of the Canucks greatest moments and players with Canucks at 40: Our Game, Our Stories, Our Passion

Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com


Here's the specs:

• August 2010
• ISBN: 978-0-470-67916-6
• Hardcover
• 224 pages
• Cover Price: $39.95

Here's more from Wiley:

An intimate look, with rare photos and exciting anecdotes, at the Vancouver Canucks' first four colorful decades

Few hockey teams have fans as loyal as the Vancouver Canucks, an expansion team that made it's debut in 1970. With unprecedented access to the team's photo archives and commentary from players and coaches, this one-of-a-kind commemorative album, authorized by the Canucks and licensed by the NHL, gives fans an intimate look at Vancouver's favorite sons.

Written by two veteran sports writers with contributions from hockey insiders, this book documents much of the team's rich history, including magic moments from the past, star players and coaches, and the club's biggest goals.

• Includes more than 250 full-color photos, some never before seen
• Reveals the history of the franchise with a look at luminaries such as Roberto Luongo and Trevor Linden and great goal scorers from Stan Smyl to Markus Naslund

Offering a candid and behind-the-scenes look at one of hockey's most popular franchises, Canucks at 40 is a treasured keepsake that devoted fans will love.

Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com

And if you are interested in this title, I'd also recommend:

• Canucks Legends: Vancouver's Hockey Heroes by Jeff Rud 
• The Vancouver Canucks Quizbook

Canuck Captains by Jason Farris

While much of British Columbia is oohing and awing over the beautiful new book Canucks At 40, there is another hockey book out there that will interest Vancouver Canucks fans.

Presented by Budget Brake and Muffler and sold exclusively at London Drugs stores in BC  (also get copies at Canuck Captains.com), author Jason Farris is back along with Jim Robson celebrating Canuck Captains. $4 of each book sale is donated to Canuck Place.

Orland Kurtenbach, Stan Smyl, Trevor Linden, Markus Naslund, Roberto Luongo, they are all here. Even Mark Messier - boo!!! hiss!!!

Decorated with action photography, memorabilia, and the game notes of Jim Robson and John Shorthouse, the book is wonderfully presented (although the text is hard to read on a couple of pages). The beautiful layout will come as no surprise to those who are familiar with Jason Farris' previous titles, Hail Cesare (about Cesare Maniago) and Hockey Play By Play: Around The  NHL With Jim Robson.

Farris calls the Canuck Captains book a supplement to Hockey Play by Play, as this is a chance to reveal more out of Robson's amazing vault of notes and memorabilia. Robson's artifacts really steal the show in both books.

That being said, the book really could have used a different cover image. Supplementary book yes, but an all new, eye catching cover could have really made this book stand out.

Inside the book the author takes a look at one special game for each of Vancouver's 10 captains. Along with adjoining commentary from Canucks players and managers and Robson and Shorthouse, this makes for an interesting read.

The unfortunate thing about this book is that is all there is to it. The book is thin and by the time you get through it, you wish there was more than 32 pages. The book could easily have been doubled by including career biographies of each captain. An extended look back at the tenure of each captain and his lasting legacy would also be nice touches. More text also means more opportunities to display the memories visually displayed throughout the book that really steal the show.

That being said, the glossy book is well priced at $14.99, with $4 going to charity. Bulking it up would only increase the production costs, and without a major publisher or distributor behind the book, too thick of a book would quickly raise the price too high.

This is a good book, a must look for all Canucks fans. Ideally it needs to be beefed up, but makes for a good Christmas gift for the Canucks fan on your shopping list. Be sure to look for it the next time you are in London Drugs, or order it online at CanuckCaptains.com.

Canucks Legends: Vancouver's Hockey Heroes

Jeff Rud stole my idea.

Okay, he didn't really, he just beat me to it, and I'm glad he wrote Canucks Legends: Vancouver's Hockey Heroes. He did a far better job than I ever could have.

After penning the books World Cup of Hockey and Legends of Team Canada, I had two new ideas for books I wanted to write, one of them being Canucks Legends. And even though I approached every publisher in Canada about my idea, realistically I only wanted to work with one publisher: Raincoast Books.

Raincoast produces some of the highest quality books on the market, in many genres including hockey. Two of their earlier releases were the first two installments of the hockey legends series, Canadiens Legends: Montreal's Hockey Heroes and Maple Leaf Legends: 75 Years of Toronto's Hockey Heroes, both written by Mike Leonetti.

Unbeknownst to me, by the time I received Raincoast's form letter rejection about my Canucks Legends idea they had already had Canucks Legends in the works. And they wisely opted to break away from Leonetti and go with a more local scribe, selecting Jeff Rud.

Leonetti is a prolific writer and I've enjoyed most of his works, but Jeff Rud takes the Legends series to a new high. With the rich history of the Montreal and Toronto franchises, I felt Leonetti too often resorted to regurgitating stories that avid readers like myself had heard a few times before. Rud, with very few true legends to write about, had to dig deeper. So while many of the featured players are questionable legends outside of BC's Lower Mainland, Rud makes the book tremendously interesting with his great research. As a life long Canucks fan, I found myself learning quite a bit out the team and the players who wore all those ugly uniforms.

There have not been a lot of books about the Canucks over the years, and certainly none that have truly captured the heart of this team. The Canucks traditionally have been sad sacks, making any historical book on the team almost unwarranted. The story of the Canucks doesn't lie within on ice success, but rather with the heroes and characters who skated for the team and with the fans who loved them through thick and thin, and thinner.

Therefore, Canucks Legends is, in my opinion, the best book on the Canucks yet.

Overall Book Rating: 3/5 = Second Liner

Ben And Lucy Play Pond Hockey

Author Andrew Sherburne sent me a copy of his new children's book Ben and Lucy Play Pond Hockey. Illustrated wonderfully by Kevin Cannon, this is a charming book that should be in every kid's library.

Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com 

The story is about a brother and sister enjoying a great day of skating and playing hockey on frozen pond. With their boots acting as nets and the friendly animals of the forest acting as fans, Ben and Lucy and their friends play nicely together and have a lot fun.

The writing is fun and easy. New readers will enjoy the rhyming verse, while those who are still a little too young will love having this book read to them as they explore the illustrations. The author was very smart to include both a boy and a girl as the lead characters, allowing boys and girls to enjoy the book equally.

The illustrations and the colours really steal the show. They offer a level of interactivity that you hope for in such books. Kids eyes will sparkle as they explore the forests to find all of the animals, or trace the fun hockey action on the pond, or maybe even daydream of their own great day of outdoor hockey followed by hot cocoa!

I highly recommend this book to anyone with young kids in their lives. But don't take my word for it. The book is nicely endorsed on the back cover by the noted Sports Illustrated writer E.M. Swift, Team Canada captain Hayley Wickenheiser, former NHLers Tom Kurvers and Bret Hedican and Olympic figure skating gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi.

Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com - or, check out the author's great website, http://www.pondhockeybook.com/

By the way, author Andrew Sherburne and co-creator Tommy Haines are also behind the 2008 DVD release Pond Hockey which features Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane and others.