Leave No Doubt by Mike Babcock

Mike Babcock, head coach of the Detroit Red Wings and Team Canada's gold medal winning 2010 Olympic team, has penned his own book called Leave No Doubt: A Credo for Chasing Your Dreams

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

Mike Babcock is a fascinating individual, in my opinion. Anyone who has followed his career knows that he has a certain set of values that govern not only his hockey team, but his life. Babcock now shares his credo, using the much celebrated 2010 Olympics as his storyline.

The book does not quite know what it wants to be. It's partly and Olympic diary, but it only hints at what could have been a truly fascinating inside look for hockey fans. It's part self-help book, like something Jack Canfield or Stephen Convey would write. But the delivery style lacks polish and focus. Babcock would have been better advised to emphasize his major themes of his philosophies and present the book under those headings.

Ultimately what this book lacks is a major publisher behind it. Babcock chose to support his Alma Mater by having the University of McGill publish the book. As a result the book is oddly presented, from weird use of spacing and margins to the ill-advised presentation of content.

I hate to be critical of this book, because there are some very good teachings to be learned, whether you are an aspiring hockey player or coach, an enthusiastic fan who wants to implement Babcock's teachings into their athletic, business, academic, or personal life.

Leave No Doubt was Team Canada's Olympic credo in 2010 and have always Mike Babcock's outlook on life. These words - leave no doubt, every day counts, our determination will define us - inspired not only 23 hockey players, but a nation. Reading Babcock's approach to succeeding in life is relevant to people of all interests and ambitions.

This book may not be the blockbuster that it could have been. But it remains an intriguing option for hockey fans everywhere.

Pucks On The 'Net: The eBook

Coming in October 2011: GreatestHockeyLegends.com presents Pucks on the 'Net, an e-book by Joe Pelletier. Foreword by Kirstie McLellan Day

This is Joe Pelletier's third book release. He has previously released The World Cup of Hockey (co-authored with Patrick Houda) and The Legends of Team Canada. This is his first e-book release.


Kirstie McLellan Day is Canada's best selling hockey author. She has released Theo Fleury's autobiography Playing With Fire, and Bob Probert's autobiography Tough Guy. In 2011 she is releasing Ron MacLean's autobiography, Cornered.

Praise for Pucks On The 'Net:

Amongst hockey historians Joe Pelletier takes a back seat to no one. His unparalleled ability to unearth a bountiful of great stories has helped illuminate the continuing story of our country's national obsession - the great sport of hockey. Speaking for his countless followers, I can testify that this book is not only as entertaining as it is informative, but is also as enlightening as it educational. In other words, it is the best of the best of Joe Pelletier - researcher, historian, writer and one of the most unique voices in the world of hockey literature.

Todd Denault – author of Jacques Plante: The Man Who Changed The Face of Hockey and The Greatest Game

Accidentally On Purpose by Louise Waronek

A revealing look at the issues and controversies of grassroots level hockey, including everything from children developing life skills to the thrill of playing for the love of the game to high financial obligations, the dangers of hazing rituals, "crazy" hockey parents, and the sometimes too-strong desire for kids to play in the NHL.

It features one Saskatchewan hockey family's experience, and the growth that the father undergoes as he learns from his mistakes from being a too-involved hockey parent to understanding that hockey is a game that should be enjoyed not pursued as a career by pre-teen children, a message that parents of all athletes can understand.

This fictional account is an interesting take on minor hockey and minor sports in general. Every parent is guilty, to some degree, of taking their child's athletics too seriously. Some are involved way too much, others lapse in the heat of a big play. So most adults will likely find a little of themselves in this book. Hopefully just enough to remind them of what really is important in kids sports - that the kids are having fun, not that they make it to the big leagues.

Here is an in-depth interview with author Louise Waronek courtesy "Down From The Peak."

To purchase your copy of Accidentally on Purpose, contact Louise Waronek by phone at (306) 584-9706 or by email at l.waronek@sasktel.net.

Bernie Parent: Unmasked

Philadelphia fans will definitely be interested in Unmasked: Bernie Parent and the Broad Street Bullies

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

In a city known as home to some of the sporting world’s biggest stars, few have ever shined as brightly as the Philadelphia Flyers’ Bernie Parent, and this autobiography shares how he became one of the most sensational goalies in NHL history.

The catchphrase “Only the Lord saves more than Bernie Parent” became ubiquitous in Philadelphia as Parent won two Vezina Trophies as the league’s top goaltender, two Conn Smythe Trophies as playoff MVP, and two Stanley Cup championships, but this work shows how his on-the-ice exploits were only a part of his amazing story.

After suffering a career-ending eye injury in 1979, Parent’s life took a turn for the worse, a time during which he battled alcoholism and watched his marriage end in divorce. In the end, however, facing the fears that had plagued him all his life led Parent to find solace and happiness once again.

In Unmasked, Parent traces his life and career from his days as a youngster learning to skate to his current role as a Flyers ambassador and public speaker.

Featuring rare photos from his personal archive and accompanying text from legendary Philadelphia sports columnist Stan Hochman, this life story gives Parent’s millions of fans a never-before-seen glimpse into the life of a hockey icon.

Hockey Book Shortage in New York City

From Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun:

Walked in to a giant Barnes and Noble book store in Manhattan Saturday, where there were 12 large shelves just for sports books. Looked hard but couldn’t find a single hockey book in the bunch

See To Play: The Eyes Of Elite Athletes

Discover Your Elite Athlete Eyes

As kids, many of us dreamed of being a pro athlete. We played out those dreams in backyards, school yards and outdoor skating rinks. The problem becomes, we don’t have the elite skill set to make these dreams come true. See to Play: The Eyes of Elite Athletes gives average Joes that chance.

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

The athletes that make it to the top of their sport do so because of superior visual traits. Written by Michael Peters, O.D., eye doctor for the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, See To Play examines through an expert’s eyes the vital role vision plays in the development of athletes and breaks down the visual system into its basic components. Readers will learn why elite athletes are able to perform at that high level and they’ll be given exercises to help them reach their genetic potential.

“See to Play is a must-read for athletes and athletic trainers worldwide; Peters has helped many minor league players reach the big leagues with these techniques . . . A home run!” —Sandy Krum, Trainer, The Biggest Loser

“Dr. Mike Peters has been one of the best eye doctors that I’ve worked with and probably the best in the business. When I had my concussion in Carolina, he had to adjust my contact lens prescription several times while my vision was changing. He also helped me by giving me eye exercises which even included him coming to the arena for some of the drills.” — Matt Cullen, Minnesota Wild

Dr. Michael Peters has been the Team Optometrist for the Carolina Hurricanes since 1997. Currently, he also assists in optometrics for the Tampa Rays, Durham Bulls, and Carolina Rail Hawks.

Review - Okay, so this is not a hockey book per se, and maybe I found it easy to invest myself in. Maybe that's because I have my own degenerative eye disease. I can definitely see how aspiring athletes with vision problems would want to consider reading this book though. The book reads really easily. Dr. Peters establishes himself early as open and trustworthy and comes across as really likeable guy who truly understands a) vision issues and b) athletes of every level, from amateur to elite to professional.. That is because he was once a promising football player himself.

Peters is able to help the reader better understand his or her challenges and recommend exercises and courses of action to improve their vision specifically for the athlete (though I think I might try incorporating a couple into my own sedentary life).

If you are an athlete who is affected from anything as simple as near-sightedness or serious as injury or disease, this book is definitely worth a look. It might just give you the edge you need to enjoy your sport that much more.

Tales From The Locker Room: Leafs, Habs, Hawks

Sports Publishing LLC always put out new releases in their series Tales From The Locker Room.

I've never been a huge fan of the series, but if you are a fan of a particular team the books are worth taking a look at.

 New for hockey fans in 2012 are:

• Toronto Maple Leafs
• Montreal Canadiens
• Chicago Blackhawks

Previous releases included the Boston Bruins, the New Jersey Devils, and the New York Rangers

They also offer plenty of other sports, too, including Major League Baseball, National Football League, National Basketball Association and college sports teams.