Fast Ice Superstars of the New NHL by Andrew Podnieks

Andrew Podnieks is back, with an impressive lineup of research and writing help, to give us Fast Ice Superstars of the New NHL.

At first glance I was really excited about this title. Wonderfully presented throughout it's glossy and colourful pages, this book profiles more than 60 of the top young players in the National Hockey League today.

Since I'm known much more for hockey history, I have to admit to not knowing as much about the up and coming stars as I would like. Cam Atkinson was an All Star last season, and I knew nothing of him. Vincent Trochek isn't from Eastern Europe?! Sam Reinhart - now which of Paul Reinhart's kids is this?

And with Lucas Aykroyd, Rob Del Mundo and Carol Schram helping to put these biographies together, I was certain this was my chance to learn some fascinating things about today's young stars just as the 2017-18 season gets underway.

Unfortunately I found the brief biographies to be very pedestrian. Given the talent crew working on this book I hate to say that, and keep re-reading it to see if I'm being too harsh. But the profiles tend to blandly state what each player did each season. So many goals, this many points, while playing for this team that year. A quick glance at the player's stats lines can tell any educated fan this much. But the book fails to tell us more interesting stories that hockeydb.com can not.

Perhaps this book is aimed at younger fans or new fans, and it would make a good Christmas gift for them. But if you are looking for more in depth journalism about today's young players, you will have to look elsewhere.

The Best, Worst And Biggest NHL Trades Of All Time

Veteran hockey writer Andrew Podnieks has teamed up with up-and-rising Rob Del Mundo (of TMLFans.ca fame) to give us the new book "The Best, Worst, and Biggest NHL Trades of All Time." At $12.99 this 240 page book is going to be a hit.

Buy The Book - The book is available exclusively at Chapters/Indigos stores in Canada and websites. Shipping is available throughout Canada and the United States.

What a great trip down memory lane. For me, and many fans of my generation, the trades that rocked my world the most were the Gretzky to LA and Lindros to Philadelphia trades. To the authors credit, they didn't get too crazy re-hashing these two trades. Yes, they are among the most important moments in the history of the game, but their coverage has been largely exhausted. The authors don't allow any trades to dominate the book.

While the Gretzky and Lindros trades jump to mind immediately, the authors certainly do not forget about Brett Hull or Doug Gilmour leaving Calgary, Rod Langway going to Washington, Boston fleecing Vancouver with Cam Neely or Patrick Roy's hasty exit from Montreal.

Though the book is heavy on trades in the 1990s, and with proper merit, the authors do an excellent job digging through history. The trades of King Clancy, Howie Morenz, Teeder Kennedy, Ted Lindsay, Phil Esposito (twice) and Lanny McDonald, amongst others, shaped hockey history.

While the authors do not allow any one trade to dominate the entire book, perhaps the authors do not dig deeply enough in some cases. I was hoping to learn what really prompted Boston and Montreal's swap of unknown prospects to land 16 year old Ken Dryden. Or what the real story was behind New York Islanders fans discontent towards Kirk Muller. The did do an excellent job digging, for example, to explain why Eddie Shore left Boston, so it is there, just not consistently.

This book is sure to be a hit. It is a perfect Christmas gift idea for the hockey fan on your shopping list. It is well priced and nicely produced, and is sure to bring back memories and renew a few debates.

The book is available exclusively at Chapters/Indigos stores in Canada and websites. Shipping is available throughout Canada and the United States.

Sneak Peek At 2013 Hockey Books: Where Countries Come To Play

Where Countries Come to Play: Celebrating the World of Olympic Hockey and the Triple Gold Club by Andrew Podnieks.

Preview: Where Countries Come to Play chronicles each Olympic tournament, from the 1920 Antwerp games to Vancouver in 2010. Illustrated with photographs from the IIHF archives, the book features rare pictures of games and players, as well as memorabilia and artifacts. Each event is retold through a detailed narrative that will offer fans a complete history of Olympic hockey, including amazing stories from both on and off the ice, organizational challenges, bitter battles, player's tales, and spectacular hockey action. The book also contains a prelude to 2014 Sochi and a detailed appendix of Olympic hockey stats.

As well, Where Countries Come to Play celebrates the IIHF's Triple Gold Club, whose members have each won an Olympic Gold Medal, a Stanley Cup, and a World Championship. For the first time in book form, the elite club's twenty-five members are profiled and the story of their accomplishments told.

The book will be publsihed in advance of the Sochi Winter Games and is the must-have hockey book for all fans of the game and for anyone that has ever cheered for their nation as they skated out onto the ice.

Pre-Order The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com

The Year of the Chicago Blackhawks

Andrew Podnieks and the NHL have teamed up again for their annual summer release honouring the Stanley Cup champions. Of course that means The Year of the Chicago Blackhawks: Celebrating the 2013 Stanley Cup Champions is an absolute must-have for all Chicago fans.

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

Now I know in the past I've been a little bit critical of this series. It is rushed out just a few weeks after the hockey season has ended and as a result follows a rigid template year after year. I would like to see the NHL take a little more time and come up with something a little more unique from year to year. The Stanley Cup champion and their fans deserve that.

But the 2013 release, published by Fenn/McClelland and Stewart, is a gem as is. The Blackhawks season, which started with an unprecedented winning streak and ended with Lord Stanley's mug, is brilliantly captured by Podnieks' writing and by the beautiful photography that fills the 144 pages of this paperback. My mom always told me presentation is very important, and these guys delivered.

Just like the Blackhawks did. A deserving keepsake for a deserving champion. Hawks fans will love reliving such an amazing season with each turn of the page.

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

If you are interested in this title, you my also like Unstoppable!: The Chicago Blackhawks' Dominant 2013 Championship Season by the Chicago Daily Herald.

Team Canada 1972: The Official 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Summit Series

Andrew Podnieks has put together the new commemorative book Team Canada 1972: The Official 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Summit Series

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

Podnieks, who has put together over 50 hockey books now, offers a comprehensive text complete with in-depth interviews of every surviving player and a large collection colour photographs.

Team Canada 1972 is the definitive look at the Summit Series 40 years later, still powerful, still resonating, still remarkable. With every living player contributing to the book with personal memories and thoughts of the series, this official publication provides fans with the most detailed and exciting look at the series.

Brian McFarlane put out a similar book for the 30th anniversary. At 293 pages, Podnieks' version is more in depth. He retells the familiar story of the 1972 Summit Series events by letting the players' memories take center stage.

All in all, if you are a well studied 1972 Summit Series fanthe narratives in this book are all a little too familiar. There are a lot of books on the 1972 Summit Series over the years, and with this being the 40th anniversary of the Super Series there is a whole slew more hitting bookshelves this fall. Podnieks new book does not offer a lot of new light on the series. The real value lies within some of the players' direct interviews.

If you are looking for a nice combination of coffee table photo book with detailed written history of the 1972 Summit Series, Team Canada 1972 is a fine choice. 

NHL Records Forever

With it's fiery cover and colorful, action packed, photo intense content, the NHL and author Andrew Podnieks  had those popular Guinness Record and Ripley's Believe It or Not books in mind when they put out NHL Records Forever: Hockey's Unbeatable Achievements.

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

This book celebrates many of the NHL''s most amazing stats, records and achievements. Think Hockey Guide and Record Book (though less comprehensive) with a much more contemporary design and loads of incredible hockey photographs.

In many ways Records Forever is very much a tribute to the game and to the all time greats. Every vibrant page enthusiastically covers each achievement and explaining why it will never be equalled. In total 50 of hockey's greatest achievements are celebrated.

Though perhaps aimed for a bit of a younger audience, the content can be enjoyed by any hockey fan. It is a great way to reminisce or learn about the great game of hockey!

Sid vs. Ovi by Andrew Podnieks

Yet another Andrew Podnieks offering in 2011 is Sid vs. Ovi: Crosby and Ovechkin - Natural Born Rivals. The book is published by Fenn/McClelland and Stewart.

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

Here's more from the publishers:

Even before Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin began their NHL careers in 2005, the two players were rivals. They first met at the World U20 (Junior) Championship, playing for the gold medal, and ever since they have been opponents in the NHL and international arenas. No two star players could be so different. Crosby is the consummate captain and team player, the responsible face of the NHL. Ovechkin is the loose cannon on ice and off, capable of a great play or a cocky comment.

Sid vs. Ovi traces this intense rivalry game by game, year by year, from 2005 to 2011 and beyond. Their biographies are given consideration alongside their in-game performance and career development to present a clear picture of their lives, their careers, their league, and their countries. Hockey fans can well be divided into those who prefer one or the other of this pair of scintillating talents. But one thing is certain – the presence of one inspires the other to greater heights.

Here's the specs:

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: McClelland and Stewart (Oct 25 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0771071167
• ISBN-13: 978-0771071164

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

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

The Year of the Blackhawks

Andrew Podnieks and Fenn Publishing have already released the 2010 Stanley Cup championship commemorative book The Year of the Blackhawks. The book offers few surprises in that it uses the same layout and approaches as it does every year. Hence the fast publishing date.What you get it is a glossy, photo-filled celebration of the Chicago Blackhawks 2009-10 Stanley Cup title. It is simply a must have for any Blackhawks fan.

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

Here's the specs:

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Fenn Publishing Company Ltd. (Jun 18 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551683350
• ISBN-13: 978-1551683355

Here's more from the publisher, Fenn:

After a 49 year drought, Chicago has again claimed hockey’s greatest prize – winning Lord Stanley’s Cup.

It is the ultimate goal. It is the most recognized and sought-after trophy in sport and winning hockey’s greatest prize and hoisting the Stanley Cup in celebration is the dream of every player to ever lace up skates.  In The Year of the Blackhawks, the NHL’s officially licensed Stanley Cup publication, hockey fans of all ages will enjoy an all access pass to Chicago’s Championship season. Going to press within hours of the Cup presentation, this celebratory publication features an in-depth analysis of the Blackhawks 2009-10 season.

Beginning with a history of the team and a look at the Blackhawks early days, this all encompassing book is more than just a post season celebratory publication. It includes details of previous Playoff appearances, award winners, inducted Hall of Famers, retired numbers, individual trophy winners and recaps al-time drafts. It recaps the 2009-2010 regular season and provides detailed biographies of each player, as well as recounts each post season match-up and the road to the team’s ultimate Championship win. The Year of the Blackhawks contains all the stats a fan will ever want and all the game action is vividly displayed through a stunning collection of over 200 colour photographs.

This book is the ultimate Chicago Blackhawk publication and the ultimate 2010 Stanley Cup Championship keepsake!

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

If you are interested in The Year of the Blackhawks I would also recommend Hawkeytown:Chicago Blackhawks' Run for the 2010 Stanley Cup by the Chicago Tribune.

Canadian Gold by Andrew Podnieks

Coming March 15th, Andrew Podnieks is churning out a must have 2010 Olympics keepsake for Canadian hockey fans.

Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters

Also, keep your eye out for commemorative magazines issued, including this one by Sports Illustrated:


And this one by Sports Illustrated Canada


And of course The Hockey News:

Canada's Olympic Hockey History, 1920-2010 by Andrew Podnieks

This is one of my most favorite hockey books in my extensive collection: Andrew Podnieks' Canada's Olympic Hockey Teams: The Complete History 1920-1998.

I bought before Christmas 1997 and a year later I bought another copy as a back up because I referred to it so often that it was breaking down.

It is also a book that people constantly asked me how they could get a copy. The book surprisingly disappeared pretty quickly as the publisher remaindered the book and offered it for as little as $3.99 before everyone could get a copy.

Enter the year 2009, and we have excellent news to report. Podnieks is back with a beautiful updated book called Canada's Olympic Hockey History, 1920-2010.

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

Produced by HB Fenn and The Hockey Hall of Fame and endorsed by Hockey Canada, this beautiful 256 page book is every bit the must have book as the original. Only this time, it will not be nearly the secret.

The book is full of some of the most amazing historical photos found anywhere. The old black and whites of Olympics from decades ago are the most interesting, as they document just how far the great game has come.

You likely will not realize how special the photo collection is until after you buy the book though, since the book is sitting on store shelves in shrink wrap. Fortunately Lisa at HB Fenn allowed HockeyBookReviews.com to display exclusive sneak peeks inside the book:


Many of these photos are not found in the original book, by the way.

I could rave on forever about the imagery in the book, but the written information is equally as amazing too. Andrew Podnieks is a masterful researcher who likes to share unique stories and accounts. This book is full of just such special moments. Many of the stories are carry overs from the original text, although when possible Podnieks added new material.

Of course there is also a statistical compendium here as well, recording the statistics of every man and woman to ever play an Olympic game for Canada.

With the Olympics coming up on us quickly, Canada's Olympic Hockey History, 1920-2010 is a very special coffee table book that is the perfect Christmas gift for the Canadian hockey fan.

IIHF Top 100 Hockey Stories Of All Time by Szymon Szemberg and Andrew Podnieks

Oh there is just something absolutely wonderful about flipping through a book. As amazing as the internet's potential is, and despite all of the challenges facing the publishing industry, I do not think that will ever change.

Take for example IIHF Top 100 Hockey Stories of All-Time, a joint project of the International Ice Hockey Federation and HB Fenn.

As part of the IIHF's 100th anniversary celebrations, IIHF.com counted down the 100 top international hockey stories from their past century, 1908-2008. Every day for over three months they slowly revealed their choices. It was a taxing read, at times boring, easy to forget and painstakingly drawn out.

Now they put the exact same text and many of the same photos into a 180 page book, and voila, a whole new, and much improved, experience is born.

The book is well laid out and attractive. It is a little small to be termed a coffee table book, but it is an enjoyable and fun book to pick up and flip through. The mix of black and white and color photos and range of stories from many countries will ensure everyone will find something interesting. And the more curious reader has a splendid opportunity to learn lots about hockey history.

Of course, plenty of hockey arguments will arise as you and your pals debate the top 100. What is the greatest story in international hockey history? The Miracle On Ice in 1980? Henderson's heroics in 1972? The Soviet domination of the World Championships? One of many Olympic games?

While you can get the list and the stories online, the book does offer 50 pages of additional material. Specifically they offer a look at the 2008 World Championships, held in Canada for the first time ever, the 2008 IIHF Hall of Fame inductees, various centennial celebrations, the birth of the Victoria Cup, and a look at vintage sweaters.

The Unbeatable Martin Brodeur by Andrew Podnieks

The 2008-09 season was setting up nicely for Martin Brodeur. He was likely to set all time NHL records for wins and shutouts by a goaltender, all but crowning him as the greatest goalie of all time.

After a strong start, a torn bicep shelved the New Jersey Devils great for four months, and certainly putting any coronation on indefinite hold.

So what is Marty doing for four months?

Perhaps he has spent some time reading Andrew Podnieks new book The Unbeatable Martin Brodeur.

Actually, it is more likely that he has spent time promoting the title. That is because he is well aware of the juvenile title, cooperating fully with Podnieks. Brodeur wrote the introduction himself, and had his father supply all the color photos in the book.

Published by HB Fenn, the 96 page paperback is an easy read. Podnieks nicely chronicles Brodeur's childhood right through to his Stanley Cup and Olympic glory. The book is a fast, action-packed look at one of hockey's extraordinary nice guys.

After looking at his youth and junior hockey days, the book turns to Brodeur's meteoric rise into hockey's top goaltender. From his rise to the top to his three Stanley Cup championships, from his Olympic and World Cup gold medals to his chase of once-untouchable NHL records, Brodeur's biography is a very convincing argument that he really is the greatest goaltender of all time.

The photos nicely contribute to the exciting feeling about the book. For those of you who do not know, Martin's father, Denis, is one of the most famous hockey photographers of all time. He supplies some rare and interesting photos of son, such as Martin as a child playing road hockey, watching the Montreal Canadiens practice from the player's bench, and receiving one one one instruction from the great Vladislav Tretiak. Later we get to see Brodeur as a Devil wearing the unfamiliar #29.

This book follows other Hockey Canada-related youth books published by H.B. Fenn and Company Ltd. such as, The Sensational Jarome Iginla, The Spectacular Sidney Crosby, and H.E.A.R.T. (Cassie Campbell). Watch for Dominate Dany Heatley later in November, as well.

If you have a young hockey fan or a goaltender on your Christmas list, Andrew Podnieks' The Unbeatable Martin Brodeur would make for an affordable gift to place under the tree.

2008 Hockey Book Preview: Honoured Canadiens

The book: Honoured Canadiens, hardcover, 256 pages
The Author: Andrew Podnieks
The Publisher: HB Fenn
Release Date: October 1st, 2008
Pre-order: Amazon - Chapters

Book Description
The beginning of the 2008/2009 NHL season marks a significant date in hockey history, for it celebrates the centenary of one of the leagues most storied franchises the Montreal Canadiens.

Through their hundred years, the Montreal Canadiens have demonstrated their will to succeed by capturing more Stanley Cups than any other team in hockey history (24) . The Stanley Cup is the most recognized trophy in sport and the most coveted trophy in the hockey world. Montreal's ability to win as many times as their history shows would not have been possible without the contributions made by their many talented members and this book is dedicated to them.

The Montreal Canadiens have sent 62 Players and Builders on to the Hockey Hall of Fame. From coaching and managerial legends including Sam Pollock and Scotty Bowman to the extraordinary roster of players, the Habs have made enormous contributions to the games popularity and success during the teams hundred years of existence. Honoured Canadiens profiles each and every one of the 62 inductees, providing riveting biographical information and spectacular photographs from the collections of the Hockey Hall of Fame itself. From early stars like Howie Morenz and Aurele Joliat to Original Six stars such as Maurice Rocket Richard and Jacques Plante, to modern legends including Guy Lafleur and Larry Robinson, Honoured Canadiens provides the complete roster of Canadiens greats in detail never before experienced.

Joe's Note
Another book churned out about the Montreal Canadiens great players. Being a big advocate of hockey history I fully support such an endeavor. I just hope Honoured Canadiens has something different to offer than Canadiens Legends: Montreal's Hockey Heroes or The Habs: An Oral History of the Montreal Canadiens, 1940-1980. The good news is author Andrew Podnieks is the man for the job.

World Of Hockey

In 2008 the International Ice Hockey Federation is holding the world championships in Canada for the very first time. Obviously the worlds clash with the NHL playoffs from a timing stand point, and traditionally the worlds aren't as overly accepted in Canada as they are over in Europe, but somehow it seems odd that hockey's world championships have never been held in the sport's motherland.

What makes it even weirder is 2008 marks the 100th anniversary of the IIHF, a fact I don't think a lot of North American fans realized until recent marketing campaigns.

With the games coming to Quebec City and to Halifax, the IIHF has many commemorative projects in the works, including special events, ceremonies, and interactive exhibits both in person and online. A full list of events can be seen here.

For hockey book lovers, the IIHF has just released a beautiful 228 page coffee table book, World of Hockey: Celebrating a Century of the IIHF. The project was closely directed by Szymon Szemberg and largely written by veteran power writer Andrew Podnieks. The project also had special contributions from some of international hockey's foremost experts, including my buddies Lucas Aykroyd and Patrick Houda.

The book chronicles the worldwide growth of the game hockey, concentrating most of its attention outside of North America. It examines how hockey developed in Europe and elsewhere from an aristocratic game into a 65 member nations that comprise the IIHF today. Every nation, even Argentina, India and South Africa, are given time in this undertaking.

The book is incredibly readable, and highly educational. It opens with a look at the birth of hockey in Montreal, and moves to the birth of what became the IIHF.

Houda writes chapter 2, "Canada shows Europe how to play the game." It is simply eloquent writing, smooth and flowing, but with typical Houda trivia facts thrown in. As with anything Houda contributes, you will find yourself learning the most interesting of facts, such as the story of Romania's Prince "Bazu" Cantacuzino, decorated athlete and war hero.

The book moves on through the decades, looking at the rise and collapse of an early Czechoslovakian powerhouse and then the sheer dominance of the Soviets. The modern era featuring the end of hockey's power balance is perfectly featured, with looks at recent successes by Czech Republic, Slovakia, Canada and Sweden.

The book is laid out beautifully, with a great selection of photos. The opening collage of all the various national team jerseys captures your interest immediately, but my favorite image has to be that of the Hungarian hockey fan on page 176.

The book includes an extensive statistics section, as well as in depth looks at key international hockey legends such Paul Loicq, Harry Watson, Jaroslav Drobny, Harry Sinden, Viktor Tikhonov, Borje Salming, Vladislav Tretiak, Dominik Hasek, Jari Kurri, Ryan Smyth and Peter Bondra. The women's game also is given great coverage.

The IIHF's greatest moments are all featured, including Peter Forsberg’s 1994 Olympic-winning shootout goal, Poland’s shocking 6-4 win over the Soviet Union at the 1976 IIHF World Championship, America's Miracle On Ice in 1980, and, even though it wasn't an IIHF event, the 1972 Summit Series.

All in all World of Hockey a beautiful book and an educational joy for any hockey fan. I highly recommend this book.

Hockey Book Review: A Canadian Saturday Night

The hockey book writing machine better known as Andrew Podnieks churned out another gem with the 2006 Greystone Books release A Canadian Saturday Night: Hockey and the Culture of a Country.

The author of nearly 50 titles takes a look at how tightly connected hockey is with all aspects of Canadian culture. He examines how hockey, which began as "a geographic and meteorological fact," developed into such a significant part of our everyday lives. Even those Canadians who do not enjoy the sport can not escape it. Hockey is the quintessential Canadian experience.

Podnieks does not approach this book with any grand thesis or encyclopedic chronicling. Instead he provides an admittedly subjective history of random things that have transcended the game itself to shape us culturally, socially, politically and mythologically.

Podnieks goes on to dedicate a full page of text and unique and beautiful color photos of great Canadian experiences such as yelling "car," humming the Hockey Night In Canada theme song, collecting hockey cards, and driving by piles of Zamboni-left snow on the hottest day of summer while munching on a donut from Tim Hortons.

Other subjects include the game's language (hat trick, chiclets,) the game's celebrities (Stompin' Tom, Peter Puck, Don Cherry and the Hanson brothers), the game's defining moments of different generations (1972, the Richard riot, Gretzky's wedding) and the game in its simplest form (puck, stick, skate, outdoor ice).

The book can be read from cover to cover but it is best served as a brilliant though small coffee table book. With the museum-like archiving of how the game has become part of the fabric of daily life in Canada, the book is just dying to be flipped through.

It is written with obvious personal reflection, attempting to be at times heart-tugging and at times funny. Once or twice that humour fails as Podnieks jabs at American hockey fans, many of whom would love to read this book to better understand how the game can be a nation's unofficial religion.

As a coffee table book, I really liked this offering. The pictures are intoxicating while the subjects will touch various readers on an individual basis. That being said the coffee table book also begs to be expanded into a literary masterpiece that it is not.

Perhaps that is another project for the extremely busy Mr. Podnieks.

Overall Book Rating: 2/5 Role Player