Official Guide to the Players of Hockey Hall of Fame

Official Guide to the Players of the Hockey Hall of Fame is one of two new hockey books from the Hockey Hall of Fame for the 2010 season. The others is The Hockey Hall of Fame Book of Goalies.

This book definitely surprised me. The Hall of Fame has put out several books about it's honoured members over the years. They tend to be quite similar - beautiful coffee table sized books blessed with photos right out of the Hall of Fame vaults.

This new release is almost better categorized as a pocket book. I was almost shocked! After years of bigger books I'm still trying to get used to the new format.

This book is a whopper at 544 pages. Included are point by point profiles on every inductee and more than 400 photos! And it's cover price is just $19.99 which means you should be able to get this book under $15 most places. Just look at the beautiful production value in this featured profile below:

After seeing these beautiful pages, you'll definitely be looking to add this to your collection. Here's how:

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

Here's the specs:

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (August 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554076625
• ISBN-13: 978-1554076628

And here's more information from the publisher, Firefly Books:

Detailed profiles of every player in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame is the greatest individual honor that can be bestowed upon a professional hockey player. Since the first class in 1945, the Hockey Hall of Fame has inducted 244 players to its hallowed halls -- recent inductees include Brett Hull, Brian Leetch, Luc Robitaille and Steve Yzerman.

Here are just a few of the Hockey Hall of Fame's most famous inductees:

• Wayne Gretzky
  
• Bobby Orr
  
• Maurice Richard
  
• Guy Lafleur
  
• Patrick Roy
  
• Tim Horton
  
• Johnny Bower
  
• Ken Dryden
  
• Mark Messier
  
• Frank Mahovlich

Official Guide to the Players of the Hockey Hall of Fame features every player that has been honored with induction into the hall. The book profiles each Hall of Famer in a two-page hockey card-style spread, complete with stats, facts, quotes and other interesting snapshots from the star's career.

The book also includes first-person accounts of what it means to be a member of the Hall, as well as artifacts and memorabilia from the Hockey Hall of Fame's extensive archive. Complete with more than 400 photos and illustrations, Official Guide to the Players of the Hockey Hall of Fame is an essential reference for any hockey fan.

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

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.

Hockey Superstitions by Andrew Podnieks

Andrew Podnieks is back with a look at the weird, wild and wacky with Hockey Superstitions: From Playoff Beards to Crossed Sticks and Lucky Socks.

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


Hey, we all have crazy superstitions, especially when it comes to hockey. During the 2010 Olympics I discovered a winning combination I stuck with to help both the mens and women's Canadian teams win gold. I had to sit in the same spot, with the remote control facing a certain direction. Most importantly, I had lucky Canadian flag socks that I did not wear but rather kept folded to the right of me. During moments of the game I deemed to be the most crucial, I would then hold the socks.

Hey, it worked! Twice, even. Double gold medals!

So what are some of the more crazy superstitions in hockey history? Here's a top ten list of crazy superstitions and good luck symbols as per Andrew  Podnieks new book, Hockey Superstitions: From Playoff Beards to Crossed Sticks and Lucky Socks.

• Stan Mikita, one of the greatest players of all time, smoked a cigarette and tossed the butt over his left shoulder before returning to the ice after an intermission.
  
  
• Glenn Hall, Mr. Goalie, famously played 502 consecutive games. Before most games he had a strange habit of puking. He said the vomiting helped him calm his nerves.
  
  
• Between the pre-game warm up and first period of the game, Wayne Gretzky had four beverages in this particular order: Diet Coke, ice water, Gatorade and a second Diet Coke.
  
  
• Little known Red Goupille played in the years before World War II, but his strange superstition also revolved around Coke. During the game he kept a bottle of Coca Cola in his street shoes, believing it would guarantee a goal. It was not an overly successful superstition, however. He only scored 12 goals between 1935 and 1943.
  
  
• Bruce Gardiner would dunk the blade of his game stick in toilet water prior to the game.
  
  
• Ray Bourque would change his skate laces before every game and during every intermission. He would never use those laces ever again. Bourque played in 1826 games (including playoffs). That's nearly 5500 sets of laces used in his career.
  
  
• A Los Angeles radio DJ believed his butt was lucky. He helped the Kings win their 1989 playoff series over the Oilers by sitting bare-assed on the ice to urge LA to a come from behind series win. A year earlier the DJ sat on the pitcher's mound to help the LA Dodgers capture the 1988 World Series.
  
  
• Gavin Kirk and the Ottawa Nationals of the World Hockey Association believed a rotting cob of corn brought the team good luck. With the half-eaten cob's help the Nats won 12 of their final 13 contests to qualify for the playoffs.
  
  
• In the 1975 NHL playoffs the New York Islanders pulled off the near-impossible comeback against the Pittsburgh Penguins, winning the best of seven series despite losing the first three games. Their secret? A large bag of elephant dung. The Islanders first discovered the lucky charm in the previous series against their arch rivals, the New York Rangers. They shared Madison Square Gardens with the circus at that time. A friend of Billy Harris gifted the elephant poo and the team stuck with it!
  
  
• The anthem-warbling ways of Kate Smith continues to be a legendary good luck charm. When Kate or the video of the deceased singer sings God Bless America, the Flyers are 87-23-4.

All these and many, many more can be found in Andrew Podniek's fun new book  Hockey Superstitions: From Playoff Beards to Crossed Sticks and Lucky Socks.

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

Here's the specs:

• November 2010
• ISBN 978-0-7710-7108-9
• Trade Paperback
• 224 pages
• $19.99 CAD

Here's more from McClelland.com:

"One of North America's best-known hockey writers examines the strangest rituals and superstitions within the NHL.

"Why did Wayne Gretzky start every pre-game warm-up by shooting wide to the right of the net (a rather funny habit, given that he scored more goals than anyone in the game's history)? Why do many hockey players seem to believe performance is tied directly to facial hair? Why does Geoff Sanderson use a different length stick for every period? And why did Petr Klima break his stick after every goal he scored? Hockey Superstitions, by one of Canada's best-known hockey writers, Andrew Podnieks, explores the fascinating and fun world of hockey superstitions: their origins, their quirks, and the mythology around them. Along the way, it gives us an original look into the minds of the players and coaches behind them."

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

The Hockey Book by Sports Illustrated

In previous years Sports Illustrated has put together beautiful coffee table books on football, basketball, college football, and golf, not to mention multiple swimsuit titles. In 2010 they're finally coming out with Sports Illustrated The Hockey Book.

Buy the book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com

Packed in the 256 pages are amazing photographs, tons of history and of course a collection of Sports Illustrated's best writing. George Plimpton, Michael Farber, Mark Mulvoy, Allan Abel and Ed Swift amongst others. Farber also provides plenty of fresh words, as well.

Brought back to life are the game's greatest moments, from the days of the Original Six to the Miracle on Ice to the days of Gretzky and Lemieux.

Also prominently featured are the games other greats, including Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, Jacques Plante, Rocket Richard, Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby.

But this book's three stars are simple: photos, photos, photos. I dare you to flip through this book at the bookstore and not immediately be mesmerized by the imagery. It really is an amazing collection of hockey history, with it's essence brilliantly captured by the camera's lens.

It is so good that the Vancouver Sun newspaper review wrote "Whatever the greatest coffee table book on hockey used to be, it now shifts one seat down the bench to make room for the new boss of the gloss." I do not disagree with that assessment in the least.

Check out Sports Illustrated The Hockey Book today. You will not be disappointed.

Buy the book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com

Here's the specs:

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Sports Illustrated (September 28, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1603201513
• ISBN-13: 978-1603201513
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 11.2 x 1 inches

Here's more from the publisher, HB Fenn:

Sports Illustrated The Hockey Book - Following in the tradition of Sports Illustrated’s gorgeous, best-selling coffee-table books, The Hockey Book is destined to captivate not only hockey mavens but also all sports fans.

No sport has produced more astounding photography, and this hardbound 256-page volume brings readers into the guts of the game, chronicling the careers of immortals such as Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, and Wayne Gretzky.

The book dips into hockey’s hardscrabble roots, long before goalies wore masks or skaters wore helmets and when ungentle teams such as Philadelphia’s Broad Street Bullies battled their way to the Stanley Cup. It also brings to life what is perhaps the most memorable sporting event of the 20th century: Team USA upsetting Russia and winning gold at the1980 Olympics in Lake Placid.  

The Hockey Book’s oversized photos are accompanied by an extraordinary collection of stories, from a stable of writers that includes William Faulkner, George Plimpton, four-time National Magazine Award-winner Gary Smith, and longtime Sports Illustrated pucks writer Michael Farber, himself a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee. Sports Illustrated shoots and scores with this collection.

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

Also coming in October 2010 - Sports Illustrated: The Covers

The Greatest Game by Todd Denault

It is simply known as "The New Year's Eve Classic." Any good hockey fan knows exactly what game that refers to - the 3-3 tie between the famed Montreal Canadiens and famed Soviet Red Army on December 31st, 1975. So many people also refer to it as the greatest hockey game ever played.

What made this mid-season exhibition game so important? Why has it remained such a touchstone for so many people? What effect did have on the future course of the sport?

That is the focus of Todd Denault's new book  The Greatest Game: The Montreal Canadiens, the Red Army, and the Night That Saved Hockey.

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

This is Denault's follow up title to his inaugural book/instant classic Jacques Plante: Man Who Changed Face of Hockey. Denault returns with his trademark exhaustive research and presents one of the most important hockey books ever written.

In order to answer the aforementioned questions, Denault first sets the stage for that game.That meant going back a full two decades to 1954 when the awesome strength of Soviet hockey was first introduced to Canada, and the idea of a game between the Soviets best and a NHL team was born.

From there the book tells the parallel story of the Soviet Union in international hockey and of the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL. This is done by using Anatoly Tarasov, the father of Russian hockey, as the conduit for the Soviets and Sam Pollock, arguably the greatest general manager in NHL history, for the Canadiens.

Then the reader is introduced to Vladislav Tretiak and Ken Dryden. It is through these two goalies that story flows. Other players certainly are given the spotlight, but it is the intertwined story of the top two goalies in the world in the 1970s that is the constant throughout the book, especially after both Tarasov and to a lesser extent Pollock fade into the background.

The backstory is long but necessary in order to build up the game so when it finally happens you know it's going to be big. Everything in the backstory leads to that game, brilliantly building a much anticipated crescendo. That's a hard thing to do when writing about an event where we all know the result and happened 35 years ago.

While building that crescendo, Denault's amazing research creates a real gem of a text as he looks at the state of hockey at that time. From Canada's external and internal challenges on the international stage to the deteriorating state of the National Hockey League, where only violence seemed to be escalating.

The New Year's Eve game helps to set the table for the golden age of international hockey competition and the Habs subsequent sweep of the Flyers helps sound the death knell for "the goon age" in hockey. Hence the subtitle of the book ... The Montreal Canadiens, the Red Army, and the Night that Saved Hockey.

This is a great history text that offers so much more than just a look at a single match of hockey. Any historical text that offers a look at Soviet hockey gets big kudos from me. As a big student of Soviet hockey history, I have voraciously read anything I can on the subject, and I can tell you Denault's offering is right up there with Lawrence Martin's The Red Machine as the top text book on the subject. And Denault's look back at the Canadian and professional game is every bit as important.

This is a great book for the hardcore hockey fan on your Christmas shopping list. 

Here's the specs:

• October 2010
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: McClelland & Stewart
• ISBN-10: 077102634X
• ISBN-13: 978-0771026348
• Price: $32.99

Here's more from McLelland & Stewart:

"This game wasn't about money, points, or trophies. Instead it was played for pride, both personal and national. It was a confrontation twenty years in the making and it marked a turning point in the history of hockey.

"On December 31, 1975, the Montreal Canadiens, the most successful franchise in the NHL, hosted the touring Central Red Army, the dominant team in the Soviet Union. For three hours millions of people in both Canada and the Soviet Union were glued to their television sets. What transpired that evening was a game that surpassed all the hype and was subsequently referred to as "the greatest game ever played." Held at the height of the Cold War, this remarkable contest transcended sports and took on serious cultural, sociological, and political overtones. And while the final result was a 3-3 tie, no one who saw the game was left disappointed. This exhibition of skill was hockey at its finest, and it set the bar for what was to follow as the sport began its global expansion."
Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com - E-Book
And if you're interested in this title, I also recommend:

• The Red Machine by Lawrence Martin
• Cold War by  Roy MacSkimming
• Jacques Plante: The Man Who Changed the Face of Hockey also by Todd Denault

2010 Hockey Books

Here's look at the class of 2010 hockey books:

100 Things Bruins Fans Should Know by Matt Kalman
100 Things Flyers Fans Should Know by Adam Kimelman
A Passion To Win by Lou Nanne
A to Z Guide To Hockey Terms 2nd Edition
Battle of Alberta Trivia Book by Mike Leonetti
Behind The Bench by Jeff Marcus
Best of the Best by Scott Morrison/Hockey Night In Canada
Blood Feuds by The Hockey News
Canada's Top 100 Greatest Athletes by Maggie Mooney
Canuck Captains by Jason Farris
Canucks At 40 by Greg Douglas, Grant Kerr
The Day I (Almost) Killed Two Gretzkys by James Duthie
The Diary of a Dynasty by Kevin Shea, Paul Patskou
Discrimination in the NHL by Bob Sirois
Don Cherry's Hockey Stories Part 2 by Don Cherry
Eddie Shore And That Old Time Hockey by C. Michael Hiam
Final Call by Kerry Fraser
The Glory Of Our Game by Richard Buell
The Golden Jet by Bobby Hull with Bob Verdi
Gold Medal Diary by Hayley Wickenheiser
The Greatest Game by Todd Denault
Hawkeytown by Chicago Tribune
He Shoots . . . He Skewers by Roger Duncan
The Hockey Book by Sports Illustrated
Hockey Greats: Awesome Centres by Mike Leonetti
Hockey's Historic Highlights by Glen Goodhand
Hockey Is A Funny Game by Merv Magus
Hockey Hall of Fame Book of Goalies by HHOF
Hockey Now! (Sixth Edition) by Mike Leonetti
Hockey's Top 100: Game's Greatest Goals by Weekes and Banks
Hockey Superstitions by Andrew Podnieks
I Am Not Making This Up by Al Strachan
Junior Hockey's Royal Franchise - The Regina Pats
The Making Of Slap Shot by Jonathon Jackson
Michigan Ice Hockey by Greg Nelson
The Mighty Blackhawks by Chicago Sun-Times
Next Ones: Hockey's Future Superstars by Lorna Shultz-Nicholson
Official Guide To Players of HHOF by HHOF
The Ovechkin Project by Damien Cox and Gare Joyce
Play Better Hockey by Ron Davidson
Pucklore: A Hockey Research Anthology by SIHR
Raising Stanley by Ross Bernstein
Red, White and Blue on Ice by Roger Godin
Reflections: Best of the Decade by NHL
Retired Numbers by Andrew Podnieks
They Call Me Killer by Brian Kilrea/James Duthie
Tim Horton: Stanley Cups to Coffee Cups by Don Quinlan
Total Penguins by Rick Buker
Tough Guy by Bob Probert with Kirstie McLellan Day
Twenty Greatest Hockey Goals by Eric Zweig
We Are The Champions by The Hockey News
The Year Of The Blackhawks by Andrew Podnieks

New to Paperback
Gretzky's Tears - Stephen Brunt
I'd Trade Him Again - Peter Pocklington
Jacques Plante - Todd Denault
Playing With Fire - Theoren Fleury

Fiction/Other
Becoming Canada by Ken Dryden
Dragons, Donkey and Dust by Rudy Kong 
The Hanging Tree by Bryan Gruley
The Hockey News All New Top 100 (commemorative magazine)
The Penalty Killing by Michael McKinley

Kids Books

Advice For A Young Hockey Player
Brady Brady and the Missed Hatrick by Mary Shaw
Freddy's Hockey Hero by Susan Chalker Browne
Hockey 123 - My First Hockey Book by Christopher Jordan
Hockey ABC - My First Hockey Book by Christopher Jordan
Hockey Colours - My First Hockey Book by Christopher Jordan
Hockey Shapes - My First Hockey Book by Christopher Jordan
Hockey Opposites by Per Henrik Gurth
One Hockey Night by David Ward with Brian Deines
Thanks To My Hockey Coach 

Young Adult
Delaying The Game by Lorna Schultz-Nicholson
Getting The Edge by Gabrielle Vanderhoof
The Hat Trick by Tom Earle
Hockey Superstars by Paul Romanuk
Hockey Talk by John Goldner
Jarome Iginla by Nicole Martillaro
Jordin Tootoo by Melanie Florence
Something To Prove: Bobby Clarke by Nicole Martillaro
The Mighty Tim Horton by Mike Leonetti
Peter Puck's Big Book of Hockey by Brian McFarlane
Rink Rivals by Jacqueline Guest
Roughing by Lorna Schultz-Nicholson

Hockey Hall of Fame Book Of Goalies

The Hockey Hall of Fame has six books coming out in the next three years, including two in 2010. One of those titles is the very promising title Hockey Hall of Fame Book of Goalies

Buy the book - Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com

This beautiful hardcover title looks at every goalie who is enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Profiles, memorabilia, essays, statistics and of course an endless collection of photographs that Hockey Hall of Fame books are famous for make this book a must see.

All 33 goalies inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. From pioneer puckstoppers like Georges Vezina, Hap Holmes and Clint Benedict, to Original Six stars like Jacques Plante, Terry Sawchuk and Johnny Bower to modern greats like Ken Dryden, Patrick Roy and Vladislav Tretiak.


Steve Cameron is the editor. Working with him are Michael Farber (Sports Illustrated), Bob Duff (historian), Chris McDonell (author), Brian Costello (The Hockey News), Matthew Manor (photographer) and Brian Hayward (former NHL goalie turned broadcaster).

This is a very interesting book, a perfect Christmas gift for the goalie afficionado on your shopping list. It is a strong contender as the top hockey coffee table book of 2010!

Buy the book - Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com

Here's the specs:

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (Sep 1 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554076447
• ISBN-13: 978-1554076444

Here's more from Firefly, the publisher:

A celebration of the players who have excelled in the most demanding position in all of sports.

Hockey Hall of Fame Book of Goalies features the most distinguished and influential men and women who ever patrolled the crease, exploring the careers of such stars as George Hainsworth, Georges Vezina, Johnny Bower, Jacques Plante, Ken Dryden, Tony Esposito and Patrick Roy.

In this comprehensive illustrated reference:

• Chris McDonell profiles all 33 goaltenders enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
  
• Bob Duff explores the pioneers and trailblazers of goaltending, including the stars of international and women's hockey.
  
• Michael Farber of Sports Illustrated analyzes the goaltender from the other players' perspective.
  
• Brian Costello of The Hockey News chronicles the history of the NHL's two goaltending-specific trophies (the Vezina and William Jennings), as well as the goaltenders who have taken home other significant NHL awards, such as the Conn Smyth MVP trophy for the Stanley Cup playoffs and the Hart trophy for MVP of the league.
  
• The Hockey Hall of Fame's impressive goaltending artifacts are presented in a photo collection of stunning memorabilia.
  
• Bob Duff uncovers the history, lore and evolution of goalie equipment, including gloves, chest protectors, pads and, most significantly, the mask.
  
• Former NHL goaltender Brian Hayward opines on what makes hockey goaltenders so unique.

The Hockey Hall of Fame Book of Goalies is the official Hockey Hall of Fame book on goalies and will be the definitive book on the topic.

Buy the book - Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com

Also watch for the Hall's other book, Official Guide to the Players of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Twenty Greatest Hockey Goals by Eric Zweig

Earlier I mentioned the new book Game's Greatest Goals where authors Don Weekes and Kerry Banks look at the top 100 goals in hockey history

In similar fashion, author Eric Zweig's new book is Twenty Greatest Hockey Goals where he, rather obviously, looks at the top twenty goals in hockey history.

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

Needless to say these two books directly compete against each other. If pressed, I would have to declare Zweig's title as the winner.

Zweig is does not rank his top 20 goals like Weekes and Banks did, and I'm quite fine with that. I found ranking the top 100 goals to be an exhausting and almost silly exercise. Granted ranking the top 20 is far more manageable but I am quite satisfied with Zweig's chronological listing.

Instead of spending time trying to rank these goals Zweig instead focuses on offering the most research possible on each of his top 20. Weekes and Banks went for quick capsules, while Zweig offers a more satisfying read thanks to full background stories, quotes and fascinating tidbits, not to mention 70 photos.

For example, did you know:

• Bobby Baun's famous goal score with a broken leg was not the final game of that playoff series. In fact, he refused to have his ankle x-rayed after the game so that doctors could not declare him medically unfit to play.
• When Bobby Hull scored his record breaking 51st goal of the season, he was given 51 gifts including a hockey stick studded with 51 diamonds, 51 jars of pickles, 51 weeks' supply of tobacco, and 51 tubes of suntan oil? His wife was given gifts including 51 floor mops, while Brett and the other kids were each given 51 clusters of candy bars!
• That Wayne Gretzky's famous slap shot goal against Calgary's Mike Vernon in 1988 was described by The Great One as his "greatest thrill."
• After scoring 3 goals in 21 seconds, Bill Mosienko hit the goal post 45 seconds later. Also, Gus Bodnar assisted on all three of Mosienko's goals.

Also, reading the commentary of Sidney Crosby and Ryan Miller regarding 2010's famous "Golden Goal" from the Olympics is fascinating.

All in all Eric Zweig and Dundurn Press expertly present the Twenty Greatest Hockey Goals. It is an enjoyable read in which I guarantee you will learn something about each of the famous moments in hockey history.

Here's the specs:

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Dundurn (Oct 18 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554887895
• ISBN-13: 978-1554887897

Here's more from the publisher:

Every hockey fan remembers certain goals scored that stand out from all others. But if one had to name just 20 as the greatest ever accomplished, what would they be?

There's Paul Henderson's third game-winning goal in 1972, the one that clinched the Summit Series for Canada against the Soviet Union. Also Mike Eruzione's upset "Miracle on Ice" winner for the United States against the Soviets at Lake Placid in 1980. And don't forget the famous Stanley Cup winners by the Toronto Maple Leafs' Bill Barilko in 1951 and the Boston Bruins' Bobby Orr in 1970.


From the goal by the Montreal Victorias against the Winnipeg Victorias in the 1896 Stanley Cup rematch that truly made hockey's most famous hardware a national event, to Wayne Gretzky's 77th goal in 1982 that beat Phil Esposito's single-season record for goals, to Sidney Crosby's "golden goal" in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, Zweig serves up a slice of exceptional hockey moments that's sure to provoke heated discussion.

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Pucklore: The Hockey Research Anthology: Volume 1

The Society for International Hockey Research is proud to announce the release of Pucklore: The Hockey Research Anthology Volume 1 published by Quarry Heritage Books of Kingston, Ontario. The book is the first publicly available publication from SIHR and features selected articles taken from the annual Hockey Research Journal first published in 1993.

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Compiled by James Milks, the collection features articles from twenty-two authors from Canada, the United States, Sweden and England and includes noted hockey writers J.W. (Bill) Fitsell, Kevin Shea, Eric Zweig, Paul Kitchen and Jim Mancuso.

Pucklore authors celebrate the founder of the game, James Creighton, reveal the first 1,000 goal scorer, trace the evolution of the hockey net, recreate the trial of Allan Loney for murder on the ice, and present more fascinating stats and stories than you can shake a (hockey) stick at.

The 268 book has never before seen photos and illustrations laid out in an attractive 10'' x 8'' portrait format.
No hockey fan should be without this book. A perfect special occasion gift.

Buy The Book:  Amazon.ca - Chapters

Don Cherry's Hockey Stories: Part 2

A couple of years ago Don Cherry released a new book called Hockey Stories And Stuff. English teachers everywhere shuddered, but publishers and bookstores celebrated as it was an incredible seller.

That should come as no surprise. Neither should the news that Cherry and Random House have teamed up again to produce Don Cherry's Hockey Stories, Part 2

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Cherry is back with more rollicking stories and controversial thoughts that make for entertaining book. Whether it be tales of Eddie Shore or Montreal Canadiens training camp or of Darryl Sly snoring through a coach's speech, this book is a lot of fun.

But what I like best about Part 2 is that the better part of the second half of the book is told by daughter Cindy and son Tim. To have these two tell stories of their dad allows us an intimate look into the man who is really behind the flamboyant suits and big mouth.

That alone makes me recommend Don Cherry's Hockey Stories, Part 2. It is a fun, entertaining book that you can read cover to cover or just pick up and read a few passages at a time.

The bottom line is this - either you love Don Cherry or you hate him. If you love him, treat yourself to this book. You won't regret it.

Also, keep your eyes open for a couple of Cherry DVD releases. Don Cherry's Rock Em Sock Em 22 and the highly acclaimed CBC mini-series Keep Your Head Up, Kid: The Don Cherry Story.

Here's the specs:

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday Canada (Oct 26 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385670036
• ISBN-13: 978-0385670036

Here's more from the publisher, Random House:

You thought you'd read them all, did you? Well, you haven't.

Simultaneously loved and loathed, Don Cherry is one of the most talkative and talked-about personalities in hockey today. His more than twenty-five years as a player and coach have informed his popular Hockey Night in Canada commentary segment, "Coach's Corner." And now he's got more stories to share.

In Don Cherry's Hockey Stories, Part 2, Grapes tells us about the 2010 Stanley Cup, relays the lessons he's learned both on and off the ice, and takes us inside hockey's mythical players' "code." You'll encounter familiar names from the game and find out who this idol looks up to. You'll travel back in time to Cherry's days playing in the minor leagues. You'll share his experiences of being named Coach of the Year in the NHL and in the AHL. And you'll hear from his kids about what it was like growing up with a dad like Don..

Don Cherry tells it like it is, for better or for worse. You won't be disappointed.

P.S. Don wants you to know it's a book the whole family can enjoy.

Next Ones: Hockey's Future Stars

Lorna Schultz Nicholson's The Next Ones: Hockey's Future Stars is a glossy, colorful, photo-laden look at the top players in junior hockey, specifically those who have had some connection with the Canadian national team at some level.

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The book is somewhat geared towards younger readers, as that is Schultz-Nicholson's area of expertise. But that should not discourage interested older readers. This book should be considered by junior hockey fans of all ages; Canadian hockey fans looking for more information on players soon to be named for the popular World Junior Championships; and NHL fans looking to learn more about their favorite team's top draft choices.

One of my favorite parts of this book is the Q&A inserts for each player. These rapid fire fun questions about favorite superheroes and rock bands somehow humanizes these hockey players that we will undoubtedly end up treating as bigger than life all too soon.

The book is written in cooperation with Hockey Canada, which should be no surprise as Lorna Schultz Nicholson is married to Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson.

Here's the specs:

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Key Porter Books (October 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551683636
• ISBN-13: 978-1551683638

Here's more from the publisher, Key Porter Books:

Ever wondered who the next big hockey star was going to be? With Hockey Canada’s annual comprehensive guide to the best of the best in the junior hockey world, you can find out. Not only for hockey fans, but for coaches and scouts alike, this guide includes photos, stats, personal information, players’ ambitions, plans, and dreams. Based on junior hockey performance and expected success in the pros, The Next Ones presents the top twenty-five Canadian prospects as decided by Hockey Canada. This book will give readers the whole picture and maybe even a glimpse into those who might become the next Great One.

About the Author

Lorna Schultz Nicholson is a hockey insider, from minor hockey to the Olympic games. She travels extensively to cheer on Canada, whenever and wherever our men and women compete, including the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics. She has been at the juniors and the worlds, and enjoys the friendships she has made with the players and their families. Lorna and her husband Bob live in Calgary, Alberta. They have three wonderful children together, Mandi, Marijean, and Grant.


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Gold Medal Diary by Hayley Wickenheiser

Hayley Wickenheiser has a new book for 2010. In Gold Medal Diary: Inside the World's Greatest Sports Event the Canadian Olympic veteran offers a behind-the-scenes view of the world’s most exciting sporting spectacle.

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Wickenheiser recently gave a great interview with the Canadian Press concerning the book. Here's a few highlights from that interview about life with the Canadian women's hockey team:

"There's a lot of ups and downs emotionally, both personally and from a team perspective. I tried to convey that as best I could and not just the good things, but the frustrations that come with it. I tried to make it as real a story as possible."

Wickenheiser goes on to describe the book as "a book about hockey and the Olympic experience and life as an athlete versus my life. The focus of the book was to keep it on the team and the process."

It is an interesting backstage look that Wick tries to keep very real for the reader. "Besides taking out the profanity, we tried to keep the emotion in it about how the day was going. It's pretty raw."

The book is interesting in that it chronicles Team Canada's captain throughout the season as the players are pushed to achieve a golden standard at the home Olympics. The training sessions and practices are every bit as intense as any NHL practice. These girls work hard, and all for the love of the game, not a million dollar pay check.

"I wanted to convey that to people and for them to get a little bit of an insider's view of what it looks like, which may not be as glamorous or as exciting as people think," she said.

The book is not an autobiography, rather just a snapshot of her life during this amazing time. It makes for a unique book that all hockey fans should read.

"It was an idea I liked and it really hadn't been done before," she said. "I thought it would be important for people to understand what a team or an athlete goes through in the lead up to the Olympics and then actually at the Olympics.

A free excerpt of the book is available at the publisher's website.

Here's the specs:

• October 2010
• ISBN 978-1-55365-580-0
• Hardcover
• 6" x 9"
• 256 pages
• 25 b&w photographs
• Sports & Recreation
• $29.95 CAD

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Here's more from the publisher, Greystone Books:

"Hayley Wickenheiser is unarguably the best women’s hockey player in the world. With four Olympic medals (three gold and one silver) she is the heart and soul of the Canadian team. Now thirty-one, Wickenheiser has been on the national team since she was fifteen and has played more games in international competition and has more goals, assists, and penalties than any other woman in the game. She’s also held her own while playing professional hockey on men’s teams in Sweden and Finland. In 2008 Sports Illustrated ranked Wickenheiser as Number 20 on a list of the Top 25 Toughest Athletes in the World.

"In Gold Medal Diary, Wickenheiser reveals her day-to-day experience of the 2010 Games, including the six-month lead-up of intensive training and pre-Olympic tournaments. The heart of this book, though, is what Wickenheiser reveals about the life of an Olympian—the behind-thescenes stories, the highs and lows, physical and emotional challenges, struggles and triumphs of an elite athlete in a hyper-intense environment, including details of the public ceremonies and private moments, friendships and rivalries, community and isolation, media presence and security.

"For the first time ever, non-Olympic athletes can be on the ground inside the storied Athletes’ Village and understand what it’s like to live through the most high-pressure, high-profile sporting event in the world."

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If you are interested in this title, you may also be interested in these titles:

• Hayley Wickenheiser: Born to Play  
• Canada's Olympic Diary: A Day-by-Day Account of the 2010 Winter Games 
• Women on Ice 
• Too many men on the ice: Women's hockey in North America 
• She Shoots...She Scores: A Complete Guide To Women's Hockey

Retired Numbers by Andrew Podnieks

2010 features yet another Andrew Podnieks offering with Retired Numbers: A Celebration of NHL Excellence. In this book he looks at all the players who have had the highest team honour possible - the retiring of their jersey number.

This big book lists all 116 retired honourees in chronological order in terms of the dates of the number retirement. Each player is profiled with a two page spread. Two photos and a very brief career synopsis are included, as is a look at the result of the game played on the jersey retirement night.

Most interestingly, and too often too short, is a section reserved for each player talking about the actual retirement ceremony. What special moments were featured, who were the special guests, what was the honouree's response. It is interesting to contrast such ceremonies by era and by franchise.

Otherwise the book is a bit of a generic briefing of great players from yesterday, presented in a nice but formulaic format. The book could use some more colour, as there is far too much unused white space for my liking.

A small statistical appendix accompanies the text at the back of the book. Interestingly here is where you will find the 15 Toronto Maple Leafs players who have had their number "honoured" rather than out-right retired. The author made the careful decision to make a distinct separation here, although he does not go into any details on these players.

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

Here's the specs:
October 2010
Hardcover
256 Pages
ISBN-13 - 9781551683478
ISBN-10 - 1551683474
Price - $40.00


Here's more from HB Fenn:

"In the storied history of the NHL, many players stand out, and a few become synonymous with their numbers. There are some whose skates are so hard to fill and whose stars shine so bright that their numbers are retired to annals of legend.

"In Retired Numbers bestselling hockey author Andrew Podnieks documents 116 players whose numbers have been raised to great heights in arenas across the league. From Toronto Maple Leaf Ace Baily (1934) to New York Ranger Andy Bathgate (2009), Retired Numbers spans the league’s history. From players who made their mark with one team (Paul Coffey with the Edmonton Oilers) to those who starred in many (Wayne Gretzky with the Edmonton Oilers, the New York Rangers, and the Los Angeles Kings), fans will learn just what made these players so memorable.

"Packed with photos, stats, stories, and lists, Retired Numbers will delight fans young and old, sparking nostalgia about games gone by and speculation about who will the NHL’s next honoured legends."

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

If you are interested in this title I'd also recommend:

• By the Numbers: From 00 to 99 by Hockey Night In Canada