Product Description
Carve out a spot on your bench, and in your library, for hockey's most comprehensive playbook.

Hockey Plays and Strategies presents all of the popular offensive, defensive, and special teams systems used in today's game, as well as tactical advice on making in-game adjustments and player match-ups at every level of play.

Veteran coaches Ryan Walter and Mike Johnston share more than 160 plays, systems, and strategies to control the ice and light up the net. In this one-of-a-kind guide, you'll learn these skills:

• Puck movement within the neutral zone to set up for attack zone entry and scoring chances on the rush
• Capitalizing on all odd-man rush scoring chances and shutting down the opposition's opportunities
• Executing lock-down defensive play in all zones to eliminate good scoring chances and shots on goal
• More than 25 power play systems for both the one-man and two-man advantage to keep the defense off balance and produce more scoring chances
• Penalty kill strategies that will stymie any attack and routinely clear the zone
• Controlling the puck and breaking up the opposition's play with aggressive forechecking and backchecking strategies
• Controlling the game with top-notch game management tips on line pairings and changes, key momentum changers, and many more in-game adjustments to keep your opponents on their heels throughout the game

Customer Reviews (3)

Best hockey book available
I have to agree with the other 2 reviewers.I have read practically every hockey coaching/drill book and watched nearly every video out there, and this one is in a class all by itself.This book has plenty of diagrams, but also the detailed explanation that is lacking in drill books.Other books tell you how to run the drill.This book does that too, but also focuses on the subtler teaching points.This book explains what you are trying to do (e.g. having the second forward drive in hard splitting the defenders and isolating one to create a 2-on-1) and why it works.I wish I would have had this book 10 years ago.

Nothing else like it
For years I have been searching for a book that goes beyond simple charts; arrows directing players without much explanation on why?Most books will describe the general concept of the play but provide little insight for each individual position.Being a right winger,I always found myself asking how would I read the play and choose the right course of action; read and react.Hockey plays and strategies is the first book I have found that effectively combines play diagrams with reading and reacting for each individual position.As a beer leaguer, I just wanted a book that could help me understand the subtle nuances of the game so I am grateful that Ryan Walter and mike johnstone decided to write this book and hope that there will be more in the future.

Another great book for technique is power skating by Laura stamm...

Hockey Plays and Strategies
This is an awsome book: it explains all aspects (from plays to bench managing) of hockey in a very simple and clear way. No "water", right to the point! Hockey theory and practice live together in this book. It's definitly great for both coaches and people (like me) who want to improve their skills on their own. ... Read more

Product Description
A perennial favorite now in its third edition, Ice Hockey Made Simple: A Spectator's Guide helps guide viewers through the rules of the fast-moving and often confusing sport of ice hockey. This book helps answer the questions the growing number of people who would like to learn about hockey are afraid to ask!!

This soft-covered handbook covers everything a new fan needs to know to understand and appreciate hockey. Short, easy-to-understand chapters along with diagrams and action photographs explain:*The object of hockey
*The simplified rules of the game
*Strategy
*What viewers should look for during the game
*Biographies of famous hockey personalities, past and present

The book also helps guide the reader through the confusing jumble of numbers and statistics published in the sports page every day.

The existing hockey fan will also be attracted to this book for its coverage of the lates t National Hockey League (NHL) rule changes and updated statistics.With the growing popu larity of this sport all over the United States, especially in California, Florida, Texas and Colorado where newly established teams are flourishing, this book is a must.

Follow the action with this handy reference guide.

A complete glossary and index makes finding information a snap Makes a great gift Pocket-sized - take it to the game ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Buy this if you like hockey.
I love to watch the Sharks, but I don't always know what the heck is going on.This will help you understand the rules and then you'll be a hockey fan too.Way better than football and basketball.Enjoy!

JUNIPER
The service was great. And I really like the book. A lot of good info that I can understand.

Ice Hockey
I found the book to be everything i had hoped for.Being a new fan to the sport of ice hockey i loved watching, but knew i would enjoy it much more if i knew the rules.This book supplied all the knowledge you need to know about what is going on out there on the ice.It truly enhanced my appreciation of the sport.

Just what I needed
As a brand new Ontario Reign fan (ECHL) I've been enjoying the games, but realized I don't know what's going on 1/2 the time (not that I REALLY minded). But now I feel I have a good idea why some of the 'strange' stuff I've seen is being done. Makes more sense to me now. I can't wait for the next game, and I'll start to see how much more of it I will catch now. It's such a fast game, it still make take me a bit, but at least I have a head start now.
Not for anyone who has a clue, but perfect for those of us itching to get one.

Good book for an introduction to hockey
Needs to be updated to reflect significant rule changes in NHL in last 3 years, but otherwise it is a good introduction to hockey.Has lots of good, clearillustrations.The greatest value of this book is the illustrations of referee signals since when watching amateur hockey or league hockey the ref's signal is not announced over a PA system. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

A Worthwhile Collection
Quibbles first: I don't know if anyone can fairly claim to have collected "The Greatest Hockey Stories Ever Told." There are far too many to fit in one volume, and no matter how varied your selection, you're going to miss several stories that some diehard hockey fan somewhere will gripe about. (Which is why I'm going to end my complaint there.)

That said, please don't make the mistake I did and assume that this book will fall short of your expectations. Urstadt's collection is worth every penny. From 1980's "Miracle on Ice" to junior hockey in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Urstadt has managed to capture the many sides of the game, offering blow-by-blow accounts of hockey games from around the world--including Romania and Corpus Christi, Texas. (Believe it or not, they're actually quite similar.)

There are highlights, including Red Fisher's memories of Hector "Toe" Blake; "The Style of the Man" by Hugh Hood, which uses near-scientific poetry to describe the graceful ferocity of Jean Beliveau; and Jeff Robinson's painfully accurate take on the hockey fan. Yet, almost every selection will have you flipping to the back of the book, looking with hope to see if it was merely an excerpt. (I myself have added several books to my wish list thanks to this volume.)

The one disappointment, oddly enough, is a short article by William Faulkner ("An Innocent at Rinkside") originally printed in Sports Illustrated. It's clear that Faulkner didn't understand and didn't like hockey, and in the end, he uses his presence at Madison Square Gardens to question the common practice of beginning sports events with the national anthem. Blech.

So, even if I can't help but complain about the title, I have to admit: this book serves up some darn good tales. You'd be sorry not to pick it up.

Great find.
The title is true to it's word - a great collection of extremely interesting hockey stories. Very happy I made the purchase.

A very eclectic and enjoyable collection
I've read a lot of hockey books and found most of them to be light on substance from either a literary or technical standpoint. This collection, however, captures so many of the nuances and back stories that make the game of hockey so incredibly unique. E.M. Swifts piece titled "A Reminder Of What We Can Be" is my favorite hockey story ever. I was a 15 year old hockey player at the time the United States beat the Soviet Union and I remember following that team in the papers all winter. When the big game was tape delayed, I was so disappointed because I had a game that night and we didn't have a VCR back then. One of the fathers had a B&W television going in the penalty box and although we new the outcome, both teams decided to stop play and huddle around that television to watch the 3rd period. We hugged and high fived as if we had beaten the mighty Russians ourselves. That moment in time was a rare convergence of what is great about life and hockey. E.M. Swift clearly understands the meaning.
"Facing The Shooter" by Wilkinson is a fantastic account of what its really like to play the most stressful position in sports, hockey goaltender.
This book may be a bit difficult for younger readers to get through and grasp, but older fans will appreciate the depth and quality of the writing.

Any true hockey fan will relish this special book
Reviewed by Beverly Pechin for Reader Views (2/07)

Being an avid hockey fan I wasn't too expectant upon reading "short stories" about the great moments in hockey and being surprised by what they had to say. Imagine my delight when I found not only interesting and completely out of the ordinary tales of some of the most memorable moments in hockey, right before my eyes, but stories told that I knew with inside looks that make them seem completely different than any other I've read.

"The Greatest Hockey Stories Ever Told" is a wonderful compilation of stories regarding the greatest game on ice, hockey. With everything from "The Miracle Team" from a perspective you probably have never heard before to "A Portrait of The Great One," Wayne Gretzky, you will find each story with its own form and style, told like no other. With so many authors contributing to the book, there is an infinite amount of perspectives that you probably have never seen before on the game. Hockey greats like Toe Blake, Wayne Gretzky, and the infamous Montreal Canadiens and their years of reign are all topics of conversation in this great book of hockey stories and memories.

The style and content are so unique to any other hockey book I've ever read that I am somewhat speechless as to how to compare it to anything else. Loaded with stories, insider's views, coaches' memories, team moments and so much more, any true hockey fan will relish this special book and all its content. The ability to read a story and put it down to come back to later makes it a great book to simply keep around to get your "hockey fix," especially out of season! So after the Cup Craze is over, pull up a seat and enjoy an inside look at the real life stories of hockey and all of its glorious moments. Even the most well-versed and trivia filled amongst us will find an inside look at this great life on and off the ice in "The Greatest Hockey Stories Ever Told."

Wide variety of stories
This mini-anthology has a wide range of hockey stories from one written by the American, Pulitzer-winning author William Faulkner (this story was junk, though well written if you like Faulkner) to life on the road as a minor league player hoping to be called up (poignantly and rawly written like the life itself), to a homily to Toe Blake, to a portrait of The Great One (Gretzky) by Peter Gzowski, to how to make your own backyard rink.

The quality of writing is generally very good and virtually every story offers an interesting perspective on the game. Stories are short so you can read one on the subway or before you go to bed at night. All in all, a decent hard cover to have on your bookshelf. ... Read more

Product Description

“Coach Pecknold has created ano-gimmicks system for teachingskills and strategy that gets playersto the next level.”
--George Gwozdecky, head coach of theUniversity of Denver men’s ice hockey team, and2005 National Coach of the Year

Hard Core Hockey is an all-in-one guide to playinghigh-caliber hockey from a veritable who’s who ofthe world’s top coaches. Including advanced skatingand stick-handling techniques, collegiate-level systems,and effective drills, it features contributions from TedDonato, head coach of Harvard University; Frank Serratore,head coach at the United States Air ForceAcademy; and more.

Customer Reviews (2)

Very useful
this is a very useful book for players that want the skills to bring their game to the next level. Also a good guide for coaches or people trying to improve their kid's hockey ability.

Great book on what it takes to be an elite player
There are a lot of how to coach hockey books, drill books, etc. out there, but this is the first book I found that teaches the finer points of the game.It explains the difference between what good players do and what elite players do, and what skills a player needs to be an elite player.It also has a chapter on elite goaltending skills.It is a must for any coach who wants to understand the game better and teach their players to play at a highly competitive level.It is also good for highschool players who want to know what it takes to play at the college level. ... Read more

Product Description
The bible for hockey coaches at all levels of competition.

The Hockey Play Book is a practical handbook for coaches seeking better players and better team-play.

The book features systems for defensive, offensive and special-team situations, all accompanied by annotated, easy-to-understand diagrams. The systems range from conservative to aggressive -- some are intended for big, physical teams; others for fast-skating and highly skilled teams; and some work for both. Also included are teaching methods and drills for honing specific skills.

The first challenge for every coach is to determine the abilities of each skater. The approach in The Hockey Play Book is effective with players of all ages and levels of ability. Coaches can match systems with team strategy, bringing a special creative magic to one of the fastest team sports in the world.

The Hockey Play Book includes:- 500 step-by-step diagrams- Dozens of plays and skill-building drills- Conservative and aggressive systems- Teaching strategies for all levels of play ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Not bad
After searching the web endlessly for any help with winger positioning, I went ahead and took the risk of buying this book.I was very suprised at how much I didn't know about the game I play.Even though this book is flooded with play after play, I gained a better understanding of all the drills I've had to run over a lifetime of practices.I recommend "reading" this book if you're someone who, like me, needs every line explained and detailed in order to understand why your coach keeps yelling at you when you thought you were executing the play correctly.

Incredible hockey book
This is the most important book in my coaching collection. It has everything a coach needs. Positioning, systems, drills, and it has alot of options for each. This may be the only book a coach needs.

Learning Hockey movements....organizing the Chaos
I remember learning basketball as a kid...watching it on TV was boring, one team scored, the other scored and not much looked different.

Then I learned about offense and defense and it all changed...became a lot more enjoyable and to this day I can watch a game and get involved.

Well, I'm learning Hockey now...as an adult.I don't have coaches around me to teach me...this book gives a good insight on what to look out for in a game...Offense and defense.

After one reading I went to a game....and it was a different experience.More enjoyable...a deeper connection with the game.

I didn't know exactly what was happeneing on the ice, but knew the basics and was able to more fully follow what the guys were trying to do.

I look forward to a few more readings through this book...and getting ready to watch the playoffs this year....with a more tuned in eye.

Very nice layout
The book is layed out well, and the drills are helpful.My only disappointment was that the book is taylored to older kids who can more readily grasp the basic concepts.Most of the book is too advanced for Mites and squirts.

A good resource for more advanced teams
A good resource for an inexperienced coach to find the info needed to introduce the X's and O's to a house Pee Wee team. Very helpfull ... Read more

Product Description
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. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

A book for young players
This is a book written for young players with points to keep in mind when playing.It is written for young players (lots of color pictures and key points to remember) but does not get into any analysis of defensive systems.Good for young players to read.Not so good for coaches who want a better understanding of defense.

Great book on a little addressed skill
Terrific book that focuses on the defensive game. Suggestions on read and react, pictures of various checks and positioning away from the play. Language and explanations are easy to follow and understand. Highlyrecommended! ... Read more

Product Description
Complete Hockey Instruction teaches all the essential hockey skills from skating and passing to shooting, puck control, body checking, and mental training. This revised edition features two new chapters and more than 60 new drills, along with complete tips on scouting, game preparation, bench management, nutrition, and designing efficient practices. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent Overview
I found this book informative and a concise source.As a hockey coaching neophyte, and a dedicated student of the game, I believe Chambers did a good job on his book.Many of the chapters could be (and are) the subject of a dedicated book.

The first chapter on PHILOSPOHY OF COACHING is a very good and complements the USA Hockey philosophy.His chapter on BASIC HOCKEY GUIDELINES presents an excellent, concise, overview of the principles of the game.

The chapter on SKATING presents good overview for a subject very difficult to teach out of a book (see POWER SKATING by Laura Stamm for an excellent book on this subject).

In the ten or so books I have recently reviewed and read in my journey to learn more about hockey, I observed authors often appear to find it difficult to provide an overview that introduces the subject and gives a proper discussion of the fundamental (the why).There is often an underlying presupposition of knowledge that may not exist.Chambers does not fall into that trap.

In Chamber's chapters on OFFENSIVE/ DEFENSIVE TEAM PLAY, he introduces principles and terms specific the subject, and then presents drills that emphasize that aspect to players.In later chapters on PLAY OF THE DEFENSEMEN/FORWARDS, he presents useful tips and skills for these players.

The chapter on FACE OFF ALIGNMENTS is the best I have seen.At a recent practice, our senior coach was teaching players where to move if they were in offensive or defensive zones.I came back from practice hungry to learn more and could not find a reference that covered more that a few scenarios (including USA Hockey).Chambers presents 11 strategies/player assignments for offensive zone face offs, 7 for neutral zone, and 11 for defensive zone; covering full strength and one or two man short situations.


There are chapters on PENALTY KILLING, POWER PLAYS, AND GOAL TENDING.I enjoyed the concise coverage in the chapter on SCOUTING, GAME PREPARATION, AND BENCH MANAGEMENT chapter.

The chapter on STATISTICS presents an overview of the importance of each statistic, and emphasizes the need to use them POSTIVELY.He also discusses the importance of videotaping games, and balances his discussion with a warning to use statistics and videos wisely.

The chapter on CONDITIONING is a good overview that includes the three energy systems and importance of periodization (see references by Tudor Bompa for more details on energy systems and periodization.See especially "Total Hockey Conditioning: From Pee-Wee to Pro" and "Total Training for Young Champions")

The chapter on NUTRITION is balanced and presents a good overview of carbohydrates, fats, and protein and how the body uses them.He also emphasizes hydration (see Strength, Conditioning and Injury Prevention for Hockey by Joseph Horrigan, Earl Joseph Kreis for a great discussion on hydration).

There is also chapter on MENTAL TRAINING.If you've watched the shift of momentum during an NHL game, or better yet felt it when you're on the bench, you can appreciate the importance of this aspect of sports.

Chambers book has a large bibliography, although the chapters are not scientifically cited to individual references.The book lacks an index, but it is well organized.

After having recently read the USA Hockey series for coaches (Mite through Pee Wee), they were useful, but disjointed because they were obviously written by a committee of authors and often not edited for consistency.In their recent updates, they often refer to figures that are not present, use undefined terms, have symbols on the drill diagrams that don't match previous drills, and have other inconsistencies.There is good information presented if you get beyond the inconsistencies.

In my opinion, hockey is such a complex and fast moving sport that it is difficult to capture the many nuances in the pages of a book.In my search for a book that provides a one-stop reference, Chambers comes the closest.

NOT SO COMPLETE
While this book may abound in drills, very little attention is paid to discussing positional play, and what benefit is derived by each position from these drills. At best this book is geared to the elite level coach who already has an indepth understanding of the game and is only looking for something new to use in practices.

To the neophyte coach, I would suggest taking the USA Hockey coaching certification clinics or, at the least, buying their coaching manuals which have a detailed reasoning behind each skill development drill.

Ultimately the job of the coach is to develop the player's skills, and unfortunately Complete Hockey Instruction does nothing to help the coach in this regard. ... Read more

Product Description
This entertaining series features fascinating quick-reference guides to all the Winter Olympic sports and events. Filled with fun facts, dramatic stories, and dynamic photographs, each book is a terrific guide to both historical and current records, as well as to the reigning Olympic champions. He shoots...he scores! Readers will score with this full-colour book featuring two of the coolest sports on ice: hockey and curling. From the hard-hitting, puck-flying action of hockey to the precision sliding and sweeping of curling, these challenging team sports have it all. In this fantastic book, you'll learn about the rules, the records, and the heroes of the games. ... Read more

Product Description
Provides general information about the game of hockey and about the specific rules of the game, and discusses officials' signals, players' positions, and sportsmanship. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Not much substance
This book was very disappointing.Much of its 32 pages is made up of illustrations that are just "filler."For example, page 15 is a full page drawing of players apparently changing lines.Another full page is taken up by a drawing of a defenseman watching two offensive players approach.In my experience, the two most important rules for young players to master are the offsides rule and icing.This book devotes one sentence to offsides and two sentences to icing. It does, however, devote a whole page to "the puck" and another whole page to "the stick."Some information in the book is debatable or even wrong.For example, on page 18 the young player is advised that "icing is only called icing when both teams have an equal number of players on the ice."My son, who has 7 years of youth hockey experience, said that this book might be "OK for a little kid who knows absolutely nothing," but that a "kid that young probably would not be able to read the book."My daughter, who has 4 years of youth hockey experience, said, "Not so great."

A great book to teach Children the rules and sport of Hockey
This book is excellent.I have used it while coaching hockey and my son and I have spent many hours reading it over and over again.It is basic,and simple for young children to understand.The presentation of the bookis great, it has color illustrations for each of the rules.Its simplicitymakes it great for children, or even adults to learn from ... Read more

Product Description
OPEN ICE

In this new collection of exquisitely crafted essays, veteran sports writer Jack Falla writes about hockey as he has seen and experienced it over the past fifty years. Reflections on the game, its personalities and arenas, and twenty-five years of commitment to creating his backyard rink are woven into family memories and other fond remembrances.

A heartwarming and amusing collection, Open Ice is sure to touch every hockey fan and all those who have grown up loving the game.

Praise for Jack Falla's Previous Collection of Essays, Home Ice

"literary hot chocolate that will warm your heart."
—The New York Times

"While Home Ice may be a book about hockey and the charm of backyard rinks, it is more than that, too. It is a book about relationships—between fathers and sons, husbands and wives—and how the game can bridge the gaps that commonly occur between generations in a family... It's a treasure and one that readers will be happy they searched out. Possibly the best hockey book since Ken Dryden's The Game."
—The Globe & Mail

"A gentle and powerful book."
—Dave Bidini, Author of Tropic of Hockey and The Best Game You Can Name ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Thank You, Jack!
I enjoyed this book immensely.

Falla shares his love and appreciation for the game with a generous spirit.There are essays about some of hockey's immortal players, franchises and arenas, and reminiscences about what the game has meant to his own life - as a fan, sportswriter, amateur player and father.

It all intertwines. There's no separating the personal and professional with Falla.

He's like a tour guide who, after an entertaining history lesson, invites you home afterward for dinner with his family.

excellent read
I received this for Christmas and before I had a chance to read it my dad had it read. The book was a great read.

LOVE IT
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK.MR FALLA HAS PUT INTO WORDS HOW I FEEL ABOUT HOCKEY.HE REALLY CONNECTED WITH ME.I BOUGHT THE BOOK WHEN IT WAS FIRST RELEASED, AND READ IT IN A RECORD PACE.I WAS VERY DISSAPOINTED TO LEARN THAT HE HAD PASSED, AND WISHED I COULD'VE MET HIM TO TELL HIM HOW MUCH THIS BOOK MEANS TO ME.THIS IS A MUST READ FOR ANYONE WHO HAS ANY INTEREST IN HOCKEY.YOU GET A GREAT DEAL OF APPRECIATION FOR THE RICH HISTORY OF HOCKEY....AND THE PASSIONED FAN.THANK YOU TO MR. FALLA, AND HIS FAMILY FOR SHARING SUCH GREAT MEMORIES.

A Pleasure
I will preface this by saying I have only read a chapter of this book.I am one of the people that helped him buy his new skates.He was a pleasure to talk with.Though I am not a hockey fan, I did enjoy listening to his stories. He was in the store for probably about an hour, maybe a little more just talking and trying on skates, but it was an hour that I still talk about to this day.I was saddened to hear of his passing and my sympathies go to his family.

A Literary Gift From the Late Jack Falla
Quite simply, one of the great collections of stories yet written about any sport.As a quite avid reader, I usually find myself ripping through my current effort in hopes of getting to the next book straight away.But this afternoon was different.After reading one or two of the chapters, I would place the book on my coffee table and consider what I had just read.When I could not bear it any longer, I picked up where I left off.

Made more poignant due to the recent passing of Mr. Falla, "Open Ice" is breathtaking writing all the way through.I have my favorite stories, such as the funeral for Canadians legend Maurice Richard (you will learn the correct pronunciation of his name herein, as I did), but this is one book that will live forever in sports fans memories, as well as in the hearts of lovers of great writing.Thanks to you, Mr. Falla... ... Read more

Product Description
Now in paperback, updated with a new final chapter!

Lavishly illustrated, beautifully designed, impeccably researched, and wonderfully written, Hockey: A People’s History is the altogether irresistible companion book to the CBC-Television series of the same name, airing in Fall 06. A must-have for every fan!

Hockey is not just Canada’s national game, it is part of every Canadian’s psyche, whether we like it or not. Watching it, playing it, coaching it, and talking about it are up there with eating on the list of the top ten things Canadians do most. In the first half of the last century it mirrored our increasing confidence as a nation and in the last years of the 1900s, which saw an aggressive but unsettling expansion of the game south of the border, it reflected our growing wariness of American influence on Canada.

Hockey: A People’s History, like the ten-part CBC series it accompanies, tells the story of this breathtakingly fast game from its hotly contested origins, and the surge in its popularity after 1875, when it was first taken inside, through the rise and fall and rise again of women’s hockey, the sagas of long-lost leagues, such as the Pacific Coast Hockey League and, more recently, the World Hockey Association, to the present day and the first-ever lockout of players by the one remaining league. In that time, while play has changed only slightly (every generation of Canadians has complained about the growing violence of the game) hockey itself has been transformed from a rough and ready winter sport to a business worth many billions of dollars, played by millionaires.

But Hockey: A People’s History is not a business story, rather, it is the story of the men and woman who helped make the game what it is today.

It also tells the story of all the great moments in hockey: not just the unforgettable 1972 victory against Russia, but victories no less glorious at the time, such as the Leafs’ previously unheard-of third consecutive Stanley Cup in 1949. Through its lavishly illustrated pages skate the players, the coaches, the owners, many of them still legendary, too many of them almost forgotten. They are the reason why Canadians have stayed true to the game. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Fantastic Hockey History !
This is a great history of hockey book that was a fantastic bargain for a like-new coffee table book.

Great reference book
This is an absolute must have book for any devoted hockey fan. Not only does the book cover early history, it covers little known facts that are often overshadowed by popular belief. It is a very comprehensive guide and makes a great companion to the video series or as a one-timer history lesson on hockey.

A GreatHistory
Having been a Hockey buff for just over 50 years, I found this volume to be the most comprehensive and complete treatment of the subject that I have read over the years, having read several.It reveals some information not generally known to those not in the "industry".I found this book to be a fascinating, don't want to put it down read. My congratulations to Michael Mckinley.

A beautiful book that brings the history of the game alive...
If you're a hockey fan with an appreciation for the history of the game, *this* is the book you need to read...Hockey: A People's History by Michael McKinley.This both entertained and educated me, and brought the history of hockey alive in a way I've never seen it before.

Contents: Prologue; The Temple and the Chalice; Gold After Silver; Blood and Champagne; The Dustbowl Dream; A Cool Medium; Us and Them; The Soul of a Nation; Hope and Betrayal; The Winter of Our Discontent; Reclaiming the Game; Acknowledgements; Index

This is a coffee-table companion book to a CBC series of the same name.Not living in Canada, I can't say I've seen the series.But if it's anything like the book, it must be outstanding.McKinley goes back to the beginning of the game we know as hockey, back to 1875 when the first game was played in Montreal.Many other variations of the game existed before then, but generally speaking, this is when the game started in its modern form.Lavishly illustrated, he works his way up through time, from the birth of the Stanley Cup to the lockout season of 2004-2005.In between, you learn about the great names of the sport who often are just names attached to trophies unless you know the history...Hobie Baker, Frank Calder, Conn Smythe, and many others.The stories of teams put together to challenge for the Stanley Cup, back in the day when it was up for grabs to just about anyone.There's even coverage of the Portland Rosebuds, who challenged the Montreal Canadiens in 1916.Junior and women's hockey also figure prominently in the story, so whatever your particular interest niche is for the game, you'll find it in here.

I remember a few years back when my kids attended a hockey camp in Penticton, British Columbia.The final day included a game played in the city arena that was home to the Penticton Vees.It's an old-time barn, with plenty of memorabilia from years gone by.But until I read this book, I didn't realize just how big a deal that team was.That team went over to Germany in 1955 and beat the Russian team for the World Championships, and was the toast of Canada in the midst of the Cold War tension of the time.Walking through the arena, you could almost feel the ghosts of history, the thousands of games that had been played there.It's hard to explain, but hockey in Canada is more than just a sport, it's a national identity and obsession.

I don't know that I've spent as much time lingering and savoring a book than I did this one.It's a pleasure to read, and will add immensely to your understanding and respect of the game.
... Read more

Product Description
Increase strength to carry the puck through traffic. Pack more power when checking an opponent. Improve quickness and agility and create angles for higher-percentage shots. Complete Conditioning for Hockey shows you how to achieve all of these performance goals and more!

Hockey players are bigger, faster, and stronger than ever before. This special book and DVD package features a comprehensive training approach that will build players' physical abilities as well as the hockey-specific skills required for skating, puck handling, passing, shooting, and body checking. The book contains assessment tests for determining a player's fitness status along with specific programs designed to improve balance, quickness, agility, speed, and strength. The DVD puts the training into action, demonstrating key tests, exercises, and drills from the book.

With specific guidelines for seasonal workouts, Complete Conditioning for Hockey provides a multidimensional training approach that will show you how to get the most from your time in the gym and on the ice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Not very helpful.
I barrowed "complete conditioning for ICE hockey" and really liked it.I bought "complete conditioning for hockey" thinking it was the same book, but found this newer version too complicated, lacking useful information, and missing useful information present in the previous version.I don't recommend this book.

My neighbour won't give it back to me
I'm an over 40 player and bought this hoping to get some conditioning tips.As I was looking it over, my neighbour, a trainer at Golds asked if she could borrow it.She's using it with her clients and won't give it back - 2 months now.Now I have to buy another one for me.It has the excerise routines she feels are right for hockey conditioning.

... Read more

Product Description
Takes an irreverent look at the sports world’s best balance of power and speed

Discover interesting players and amusing moments in hockey history

Written by the author of nine titles in the Most Wanted series, including books on baseball, football, wrestling, golf, tennis, basketball, the Olympics, and Hollywood, as well as Golf!: Great Moments & Dubious Achievements in Golf History

The history of hockey is filled with the bizarre, the unexpected, and the hard to believe. Hockey’s Most Wanted chronicles seven hundred of the most outrageous players, coaches, and owners in hockey history. In humorous detail, Floyd Conner describes hockey’s top ten strange plays, inept players, bizarre nicknames, craziest fans, colorful characters, unlikely heroes, odious owners, worst coaches, beleaguered officials, most brutal fights, and more. Learn why Dave Reece was nicknamed "The Human Sieve" and find out which goalie once gave up fifteen goals in a game. Meet the player who was whistled for a record 67 penalty minutes in a single game and another who played in the National Hockey League for five years before scoring his first goal. Imagine scoring the winning goal in the seventh and deciding game of the Stanley Cup—for the opposing team—or how it felt to be the defenseman traded for a net. You can find all this and more in Hockey’s Most Wanted, a book that every hockey fan will enjoy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

highly entertaining
67 different Top 10 lists are included ranging from best players (by position); draft bargains and busts; biggest, smallest, oldest, and youngest players; and even the craziest fans. I bought this for my husband, who is a hockey broadcaster and trivia buff. He knew some of the stuff, but still laughs at the stuff he didn't know or forgot he knew. I like the explanations of players nicknames and stories about crazy owners. It's fun to pick up and read a list or two. It is indexed if you are looking for a certain player. Lots of fun for the fan! ... Read more

Product Description
The Story of the Greatest Sports Moment of the Twentieth Century

Once upon a time, they taught us to believe. They were the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, a blue-collar bunch led by an unconventional coach, and they engineered what Sports Illustrated called the greatest sports moment of the twentieth century. Their “Miracle on Ice” has become a national fairy tale, but the real Cinderella story is even more remarkable.

Wayne Coffey casts a fresh eye on this seminal sports event, giving readers an ice-level view of the amateurs who took on a Russian hockey juggernaut at the height of the Cold War. He details the unusual chemistry of the Americans—formulated by their fiercely determined coach, Herb Brooks—and seamlessly weaves portraits of the boys with the fluid action of the game itself. Coffey also traces the paths of the players and coaches since their stunning victory, examining how the Olympic events affected their lives.

Told with warmth and an uncanny eye for detail, The Boys of Winter is an intimate, perceptive portrayal of one Friday night in Lake Placid and the enduring power of the extraordinary.


Also available as an eBook ... Read more

Customer Reviews (36)

Relive the Game and Get to Know the Players
Coffey writes an awesome book, capturing not only the drama of the game with the Russians, but also providing snapshot biographies of the key players.Like an expert skater, he weaves in and out with game and player details.The story never gets old and the insight as to the boys in red, white and blue is fascinating. Matters not if you are a hockey fan or sports fan or even if you weren't yet born in 1980, pick it up and give it a read.Great book about a key moment in sports and our nation's history.

Good read
My son actually had to read this book as part of a report for his English class, but said he really enjoyed reading it. He is a huge hockey fan and plays the sport himself, so it probably wasn't a stretch.

The Boys of Winter:The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 Olympic Hockey Team
The book arrived in new condition, even though I paid used price.The content of the book is very detailed with every USA Olympic hockey player featured thoughout the book.In addition, the author interviewed the Soviet hockey players and gives their view of the game.A must read for hockey fans.

Good read...Great memories
Anyone who fondly remembers the "Miracle On Ice" will find this book to be an enjoyable walk down memory lane of the greatest sports event in the history of the United States.The author's unique storytelling intertwines the play-by-play of the semi-final game between the USA and USSR with the individual stories of the game's major "characters."

The story of the game and circumstances surrounding that time in US history has been told so many times, that many of the tales in the book are familiar but the author keeps it interesting.He also provides more insight into the Soviet team and its background than I've ever previously encountered.The only dissapointment for me was the lack of attention to the other games that the United States played during its Olympic run.

I was at that game
I just finished reading Wayne Coffey's book "The Boys of Winter" and old memories came back,
as I was at that game on February 22-1980 in Lake Placid. The book tells this incredible story
in a fascinating way. Once you start reading it, you cannot stop reading, so interestingly it
is written. You learn a lot what happened befor and after this game.
I highly recommend this book.
Bernard SamterFebruary 25-2010
... Read more

Product Description
NHL stars and legends reveal key moments of their careers.

The greatest hockey players of all time share their most vivid memories of the game they love. These stories and anecdotes are essentially joyful, occasionally heart-breaking, and always heartfelt.

Their reminiscences include:- Dramatic overtime goals- Record-breaking games- Team camaraderie- Devastating trades- Career-ending injuries.

Thrilling color photographs enhance the personal stories of players from such hockey legends as:- Rocket Richard- Gordie Howe- Jean Beliveau- Bobby Orr- Wayne Gretzky.

The book also includes the hottest players of today such as:- Steve Yzerman- Mario Lemieux- Jeremy Roenick.

Told in the players' own words, these stories are infused with the same skill, spirit, character and determination that carried each of these men to the heights of the National Hockey League and made hockey one of the most popular sports in the world.

As hockey attracts more fans of all ages, so will For the Love of Hockey.Amazon.com Review
"My mom gave a couple of dollars to a woman who was in desperate need of milk for her family. In return, the woman gave my mom a gunnysack full of things, including a pair of skates. My sister Edna grabbed one and I got the other. We went outside and push-glided around an ice pond. When Edna got cold and took her skate off, I put it on my other foot." So begins the story of one of the greatest--and toughest--men to ever play the game of ice hockey, Gordie Howe. Or try Bobby Hull: "We won the Stanley Cup in 1961 when I was 22 years old... but I never did drink out of the Stanley Cup. As the festivities began, I started drinking beer out of the owner's son Mike Wirtz's dirty old felt hat. I got sick as a dog and had to go to bed instead of celebrating that night."

For the Love of Hockey collects the personal stories of 91 of the game's greatest players, stars such as Rocket Richard, Bobby Orr, Guy Lafleur, Wayne Gretzky, and Mario Lemieux. With big, full-color action shots and the words of the players themselves, this is a heartfelt tribute to the most talented practitioners of a fast and furious sport. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

GREAT BOOK FOR THE HOCKEY LOVER
BOUGHT THIS BOOK FOR MY SON-IN-LAW ND GRANDSON. THEY BOTH LOVE IT. GREAT PRICES TOO.

Happier if not for blank page
I've only just started this book and am sure I'll enjoy it, but I am unhappy about the fact that the second page of John Davidson's foreword is a completely blank white page!This was received as a gift so am not sure if Amazon will do anything to rectify the situation.

Follow-up to compliment Amazon.com - I emailed Amazon about this situation and within hours they set up free 2-day shipment of a replacement and provided a link to print a USPS mailing label at no cost to me.However, though this is not Amazon's fault, the replacement book had the same problem!!If possible I plan to contact the publisher, but I feel it will be to little avail.

Excellent transaction
I was very pleased, item was as described and it made my husband very happy when I gave it to him!
Thank you

Perfect for your guy's "reading room"
This is a great book for us hockey fans.The stories are short and interesting.Notable players from the history of hockey as well as current players are featured.Let's face it, we want to know everything about our favorite players, some of these stories are surprising.

In their own words
This book is necessary for all true hockey fans.The book tells the stories of some of the great stars of the game from today and yesterday.The best part of the book is that it is written in their own words. ... Read more

Product Description
"Dave has produced what every coach dreams about . . . a smarter drill book for all situations and ages!" -- Roger Nielson, National Hockey League head coach for 20 years "The Incredible Hockey Drill Book is of great use for all coaches as well as young and older hockey players." -- Jacques Demers, National Hockey League head coach for 10 years (coached the Montreal Canadiens to the Stanley Cup championship in 1993) Properly run practices with well-executed drills are the pillars of effective coaching. In The Incredible Hockey Drill Book, former NHL coach Dave Chambers provides more than 600 illustrated, easy-to-follow drills for both novice and experienced coaches. These drills, divided into 24 categories, are designed to teach and improve conditioning, skating, checking, offensive and defensive play, goaltending, special teams, and much more. To help implement these drills, Chambers discusses teaching and learning theories and supplies ideas for drill and practice organization. Also included are 175 motivational slogans that may be used in various coaching situations. Coaches will find The Incredible Hockey Drill Book an invaluable resource for coaching hockey at all levels. Dave Chambers, author of Complete Hockey Instruction, has coached a number of championship teams at the junior, university, and international levels. In the NHL, he has worked as head coach and assistant coach with the Quebec Nordiques and the Minnesota North Stars. He teaches at York University in Toronto. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

tHE iNCREDIBLE hOCKEY dRILL bOOK
Excellent resource book.It covers all skill levels, ages and will make a fine addition to the avid Ice Hockey player or coach.If you can't find a drill in this book that will help you take up figure skating.

Drills drills drills...Awsome book for a beginner coach
This book is full of drills. I believe after looking through it that I could coach a team with the way it lays things out for you and shows you how to manage a practice. It has slogans for getting motivation and a bunch of other handy coach type things. Thats only the first chapter or two. After that there is hundreds of drills for all sorts of situations. They break out each type of skill (skating, shooting, passing, checking, etc...) and give 20 to 30 drills for each skill. Each drill comes with illustration, an explanation, and variations to throw into the drill to mix it up. I only got this book to help me get some drills to do to practice but after looking through it I believe it would be a great addition to any coach or wannabe coaches library. This would be perfect for the beginner coach.

Great book!
I use this many times a season to grab a drill or two when needed.

Excellent drill book!
As a coach of a club level 11-up girl's team, this book is the "go to" book for drills for skating, stick handling, shooting, etc.The drills are described in detail, and each one has a drawing to make explanations to the players more simple.This is the book I refer to the most, (second only to the USA Hockey info) for coming up with practice plans and season goals. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Very Disappointing
I had high hopes for this book and it was one of two that I bought to help me quickly learn the basics of hockey so I could understand better what was going on in my Adult Hockey "Learn To Play" class.

Unfortunately, this book is so lacking in specifics, it's essentially useless.I was having a hard time understanding what I didn't like about it until I realized - it's basically a book of summaries with absolutely no substantive details of any level, basic or otherwise.If this was the only book I had bought, I would've been just as clueless as when I started my quest.It wouldn't even have been a helpful guide to just watching a hockey game.

I do not recommend purchasing what amounts to a hockey orientation pamphlet.I gave it two stars because the photography was nice.

Fortunately I had also bought Jack Falla's Hockey - Learn to Play the Modern Way, under the Sports Illustrated brand, and it more than filled the need. It assumed no beginning knowledge of hockey and filled in all the blanks for me.I highly recommend that book.

Good luck to all the other newbies to hockey!

Inline Hockey Skills Modeled on Hockey the NHL Way
We bought Hockey the NHL Way because my son plays inline /roller hockey which is similar to ice hockey except it is done on skates.This is an excellent book that simply and succinctly lays out the basics of playing hockey.There are conditioning drills, individual skill drills, how to play as part of a team whether it be on defense or offense, and gives strategies on how to apply these skills as a part of a team.Both beginner and experienced hockey players can benefit from Hockey the NHL Way as it is a good refresher plus builds upon individual skills a player might have already developed.It is a quick read and does not get too technical.Both ice and roller hockey players will improve their game by reading this book.

VERY HELPFULL TO COAHES JUST STARTING OUT
VERY HELPFULL IN COACHING YOUNG KIDS JUST STARTING TO PLAY THE GAME OFHOCKEY. TIPS AND PICTURS OF ACTUAL DRILLS IS GREAT.

Great book
Makes you a better skater, shooter, goaltender, anything you can think of in hockey, it makes you better. ... Read more

Product Description
From its humble beginnings on the frozen lakes and rivers of 19th-century Canada to its incredible position as one of the most popular sports in the world, this epic monument to the sport celebrates what makes hockey great: the players, the spirit and energy of the game, and the die-hard support of fans around the globe. Covering more than the most famous stars, such as Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, this weighty resource chronicles the glories of overlooked players, provides statistics for the major hockey heroes, and details the rising popularity of the sport throughout history. Also included is a demo version of the companion CD-ROM, which brings the force of the arena right into the home. Included are essays written by a formidable team of veteran hockey commentators and critics. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

EUROPEAN FAN LIKES IT
You know i really liked this book just because of that its nice to see great european players past and present in this book. unlike other books where it's just nhl players, this book has both nhl players and european players included. As a international hockey historian i really enjoyed it. gretzky-kharlamov-nedomansky-salming and many other great players are in this book. the price is my only problem with the book, it cost some bucks.

What a pleasure
The best hockey book I’ve ever seen!!!

A friend of mine showed me this book.. What a pleasure!!!
I was so impressed. Not only by its appearance, but also by the quality and amount of information compiled. Not to mention unique photos. Then I saw a review of it on the Amazon.ca by
Mr. Peter Adler with a title “Do not waste your money”. Why ?! wondered. He said he reviewed it also for ‘The Edmonton Journal’.
(Why should he review it twice ?) So I surfed the archives of this journal and found an awkward style of a review using inadequate words such as : “extremely sloppy”, “rubbish”, “flop”, “fatal flaw” etc. What did he found in the 1020 pages of the book ?-May be a misspelled player name and two wrong dates???… Give me a break. He says : “Authors and editors should be ashamed of themselves”.Is it also because it is "beautifull" too??I say: shame on you Mr. Adler. Your style reflects your character.And I ask - WHAT IS HIS HIDDEN AGENDA ??

Do not waste your money
I read this book because I had to: I was reviewing it for The Edmonton Journal. My conclusion is simple and straightforward: while beautiful, this book is so filled with glaring mistakes, howlers and omissions, its authors and editors should be ashamed of themselves. In fact, if it were possible, I would give this volume no stars at all: the first thing a book on history must have is its facts right. ... Read more

Product Description
Comprised of the sons and grandsons of runaway American slaves, the Coloured Hockey League of the Maritimes was formed in 1895 in Halifax. Twenty-five years before the negro baseball leagues in the United States and twenty-two years before the birth of the National Hockey League, the Coloured League helped to pioneer the emerging sport of ice hockey.In an era when many believed blacks could not endure cold and possessed ankles too weak to effectively skate, these men defied the established myths. With colorful names such as the Africville Sea-Sides and the New Glasgow Speed Boys, the Coloured League would emerge as a premier force in Canadian hockey. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great Story, but this book has so much more
Being a diehard hockey fan and history teacher, I bought this book wanting to learn more of the history of the game, but the historical perspective of the establishment of blacks in Canada and the development of their communities is a great addition that I did not foresee.
If you are looking for chronicals of the games and league alone, this book is not for you.Only a few chapters are dedicated to these accounts.But, if you can appreciate historical ideas that may challenge your previous assumptions during this era, I would highly recommend, Black Ice.

where can i find this book>??
i saw the story about this book that was shown on espn. As a student who is pursuing a masters in history and a loyal hockey fan, this book would have been a very interesting/enjoyable read for me. I am disappointed though that I cannot find this book anywhere. what gives amazon? I figured with the promotion of this book seen on espn this book would be readily available. thats not the case. i still hope to someday read this book as the authors have put vast amounts of time and effort in the rearching of this topic to write a great book of history. ... Read more