Best of
Hockey

2017

Game Change: The Life and Death of Steve Montador and the Future of Hockey


Ken Dryden - 2017
    Then came Home Game (with Roy MacGregor), also a major TV-series, in which he explored hockey’s significance and what it means to Canada and Canadians. Now, in his most powerful and important book yet, Game Change, Ken Dryden tells the riveting story of one player’s life, examines the intersection between science and sport, and expertly documents the progression of the game of hockey—where it began, how it got to where it is, where it can go from here and, just as exciting to play and watch, how it can get there.

Portland Storm: The Third Period


Catherine Gayle - 2017
    Now she’s back to make amends with Jamie Babcock, the only man she’s ever loved, but he isn’t willing to forgive and forget. Heartbroken, Jamie refuses to reopen old wounds—no matter how much he still loves her. At some point, he’s got to draw the line.But Katie realizes she’s got the biggest battle of her life on the line—one she can’t win without Jamie by her side. In the game of love, all bets are off. Katie’s Dropping her Gloves to fight for both the life she craves and the man she loves. But is Jamie too proud to end the standoff so he can finally have the one he truly wants?HOME ICETough-as-nails Portland Storm head coach Mattias Bergstrom is hard on his players, molding them into heroes on the ice. He’d never let them see his warm, soft side—something he saves only for his younger sister, who has special needs. But when a hockey event brings a sexy, single mother and her four rambunctious daughters into his life, that icy exterior quickly melts away for her youngest, who reminds him of his dear sister.Paige Calhoun has her hands full with four teenage daughters who are beyond boy crazy. Throw crushes on hockey players into the mix, and they’re almost too much to handle. But when Paige meets the Storm’s all-business but irresistible coach, she finds herself as smitten as her girls, and Mattias couldn’t be happier. With a Home Ice advantage, Mattias lets his icy exterior melt away to prove to Paige how hot they can be together.MISTLETOE MISCONDUCTEveryone deserves a second chance.As general manager of the Portland Storm, Jim Sutter knows this all too well. And he’s in the perfect position to grant second chances like he’s Santa Claus—even if he never gives himself one. When his friends take matters into their own hands, Jim might just get the holiday surprise of a lifetime.Elaine Sutter is finally ready to forgive her ex-husband for his past transgressions and find a future with him again. So when she discovers his online dating profile, she sets up a secret meeting with the only man she’s really ever loved. Her only goal this holiday season is to stuff Jim’s stocking with a Santa-sized dose of forgiveness and a sleigh full of love. After all, a bit of mistletoe could wipe out all of Jim’s previous misconduct and pave the way for a little fun under that holiday sprig.LOSING AN EDGETired of being the second-best Babcock, Levi “501” Babcock is ready to outshine his older brother. Outranking his brother proves harder than he imagined—until he meets a sinfully sexy gold-medal-winning figure skater. She might be the prize he’s been searching for all along.Bubbly and spirited Cadence Johnson is determined to escape the shackles of her former partner. Moving to Portland gives her the fresh start she’s craved, but the last thing she can afford is a distraction like Levi Babcock.When Cadence’s past comes back to threaten her and her life is on the line, Levi might be the safety net she never realized she needed. But will Levi still care about Losing an Edge to his biggest rival, or can he finally step out of his brother’s shadow to become the hero in his own game?GAME BREAKERHe’s becoming a Game Breaker on the ice.With the playoffs right around the corner, Nate “Ghost” Golston is focused on only one thing—getting the Portland Storm to the Finals so he can finally hoist the Cup. But when opposing teams’ fans start getting under his skin, he can’t ignore the ridicule that’s suddenly all over the Internet. With each degrading word slung over the boards, he strains to keep his focus on the ice. Now, everything he’s worked for is in jeopardy.She’s facing off with the Game Makers.Stunning sports reporter and aspiring filmmaker Anne Dennison is determined to use her smarts to get ahead in a male-dominated career. Producing a behind-the-scenes web series brings Anne up close and personal with skilled, sexy Nate. Sparks fly, putting her plans in danger. For Anne to succeed, she has to capitalize on Nate’s struggles.Wanting to be together, they know they must bend for each other before one of them breaks. If they can’t, it’s Game Over.

If These Walls Could Talk: Chicago Blackhawks: Stories from the Chicago Blackhawks' Ice, Locker Room, and Press Box


Mark Lazerus - 2017
    In If These Walls Could Talk: Chicago Blackhawks, Mark Lazerus chronicles the team's rise from the dark ages of the 2000s to the golden age of the 2010s through never-before-told stories from inside the dressing room, aboard the team plane, at the players' homes, and — especially in the case of the rowdy 2009-2010 team that started it all — in countless Chicago bars. If These Walls Could Talk: Chicago Blackhawks will bring readers closer to their favorite players than ever before. It's a book Hawks fans won't want to be without.

Neutral Zone


Catherine Gayle - 2017
    Whether intended or not, that’s exactly what he’s become—ever since innocently attempting to deflect the attention away from another teammate during the playoffs. One little admission, and now his private life is making headlines.Luke Weber would love the chance to bask in Cole’s limelight. After all, he’s never had the pro hockey career he envisioned. If he’d stayed in the closet, maybe that spotlight would have been his. He’ll never know the truth, now that the doors to his dream career have been slammed shut.With everything out in the open, there’s no denying the attraction they feel for each other. Cole and Luke want to move forward—together. But to do so, they’ll each have to let go of the lives they’d imagined for themselves. Can two strong men relinquish the fantasies of their futures to make their real dreams come true?

Dancing in the Rain


Kelly Jamieson - 2017
    Drew Sellers is drowning in broken dreams and empty beer bottles. Hockey was his world, until a bum knee reduced him from superstar to has-been. Then he learns that, thanks to a one-night-stand back in college, he’s the father of a preteen girl with major issues. Her protective aunt sees right through Drew’s BS, but “Auntie P” is no stereotypical spinster. With her slender curves, toned legs, and luscious lips, she has Drew indulging in fantasies that aren’t exactly family-friendly. At another point in her life, Peyton Watt would have been all over a cocky alpha male who pushes all her buttons like Drew. Right now, though, she needs to focus on taking care of her niece during her sister’s health crisis, all while holding down a job and keeping her own head above water. Besides, Drew’s clearly no father of the year. He’s unemployed. He drinks too much. And he’s living in the past. But after Peyton gets a glimpse of the genuine man behind his tough-guy façade, she’s hooked—and there’s no going back. “Kelly Jamieson is my go-to author for hockey romance.”—USA Today bestselling author Jami Davenport The Aces Hockey series: MAJOR MISCONDUCT | OFF LIMITS | ICING | TOP SHELF | BACK CHECK The Bayard Hockey series: SHUT OUT | CROSS CHECK (Coming Soon!) And don’t miss her Last Shot series: BODY SHOT | HOT SHOT Includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

Nine Lessons I Learned from My Father


Murray Howe - 2017
    Hockey, Nine Lessons I Learned from My Father is a son's intimate account of all that lies behind the towering legacy of the beloved Gordie Howe.When Gordie Howe passed away, the world paused to acknowledge the legacy of the game's greatest player. For twelve straight hours--9 to 9--thousands of mourners passed through Joe Louis Arena in Detroit to pay their respects. The game's elder statesmen dropped what they were doing to gather for the funeral. Fans young and old flew in from around the world. Wayne Gretzky argued that Howe's number 9 should be retired league-wide. Barack Obama issued a statement recognizing what Gordie Howe meant to the game. As one after another dignitary spoke, it became clear that as staggering as Howe's achievements were on the ice, he was even greater as a person. In story after story, friends and rivals alike painted a portrait of a man the likes of which we may never see again. How could someone so revered also be so humble? How could someone who fought so hard also be so gentle? How could someone of whom so much was expected routinely astonish those around him by doing more? The man named Gordie Howe--not the hockey player, not the legend, but the living, breathing man--came into focus when his son, Murray, approached the podium to deliver the eulogy. The mourners in the packed cathedral, and those watching on television, got a glimpse of what a man who was a hero to generations looked like to his own children, and what his life looked like to those whose lives he shaped. The Gordie Howe his son introduced to the world was in many ways a teacher. Through his words and, more importantly, through his actions, he showed those around him what it means to live a life you can be proud of. Those lessons formed the backbone of the eulogy his son delivered, as it does the book that grew out of it. Unlike his two brothers, Murray Howe failed in his attempt to follow in his father's footsteps to become a professional athlete. Yet, his failure brought him to the realization that in truth, his dream wasn't to be a pro hockey player. His dream was to be his father, Gordie Howe. To be amazing at something, but humble and gracious. To be courageous, and stand up for the little guy. To be a hero. You don't need to be a hockey player to do that. What he learned was that it is a waste of time wishing you were like someone else. We need to identify and embrace our gifts. Gordie Howe may have been the greatest player in the history of hockey, but greatness was never defined by goals or assists in the Howe household. Greatness meant being the best person you could be, not the best player on the ice. This book will take the reader through the hours Murray spent writing the eulogy--the hours immediately after his father's death, as he gathers his thoughts and memories, and makes sense of what his remarkable father meant to him. The result is nine lessons, built out of hundreds of stories, that show us the man behind the legend and give us a glimpse of what we can learn from this incredible life.

Double Bear Trouble


Anya Nowlan - 2017
     Chloe Marks doesn't have time for love, and that's that. So why is it that when she needs it the least, two men who couldn't be more different crash into her life and spin everything on its head? With a career on the brink of disaster, the curvy sports agent has no time for trouble... even less so for double the trouble. Dante and Dominic Kenner are werebear twins that everybody knows. The hockey stars have bright futures ahead of themselves, just as long as they don't mess it up. But what's the fun in behaving? Especially when there's a woman they both want and cant have! Brotherly love might be a thing, but these two Alpha bears have never played fair, and Chloe is about to find out what happens when she's really wanted. Double Bear Trouble is a full-length menage romance with growly Alpha males, a curvy woman with plenty to prove, and twists and turns to keep you on your toes! There's no cheating, a HEA and a guaranteed happy ending!

Endorse This


Helena Hunting - 2017
    Am I going to tell you more than that? Nope. All you need to know is that’s it’s crazy, and there’s AREA 51 talk, and Violet is completely unfiltered as usual, and Alex is his hot self. Oh, and there’s smut. Of course. *rolls all the eyes* Since when do I write non-smutty outtakes? Sheesh.”

Behind the Bench: Inside the Minds of Hockey's Greatest Coaches


Craig Custance - 2017
    They can be branded as heroes, ousted as scapegoats, quietly valued as friends, and everything in between. It's all in the job description for an NHL head coach. In Behind the Bench, ESPN's Craig Custance sits down for film sessions and candid conversations with some of the game's most notable modern luminaries—names like Mike Babcock, Joel Quenneville, Dan Bylsma, Todd McLellan, Ken Hitchcock, and Claude Julien—all of whom share their singular views on topics ranging from leadership secrets to on-ice game plans. Dissect some of hockey's greatest moments with the men who set the pieces in motion. Go straight to the source on what it's like to manage a dressing room full of the league's top stars or execute line changes with everything at stake. Signature games, including Stanley Cup finals, Olympic gold medal clashes, and World Championship contests—both wins and losses—are reflected upon and broken down in detail, making this essential reading for current and aspiring coaches, players, and hockey fans alike.

Madison St. Station


Sam Fels - 2017
    From drawing barely 3,000 people per game to three Stanley Cups, the turnaround was simply whiplash. Fans who have been through it all can hardly believe the ride, and no one was a better example of this than Sam Fels. A die-hard fan as a child, disconnected as the organization collapsed in on itself, and then pulled back in by their resurgence, Fels became something of a voice for it all through his blog (SecondCityHockey.com, TheCommittedIndian.com, FaxesFromUncleDale.com) and the independent, gameday program he wrote and sold outside the United Center every game between 2008 and 2016. There was no better seat for the transformation of the franchise than his post outside Gate 3. He documented every game, taking the ride with every other fan and welcoming all the new ones along the way, while trying to come to grips with this new hockey world and all the challenges life was throwing at him away from the United Center. But this is the story of every Hawks, and hockey fan riding the fortunes of their teams through the fortunes of their own lives. How we use our fandom to cope, to celebrate, to commiserate. And to drink. How the different phases of our life fit differently with our continued fandom, and vice versa. How we all grow up and yet hang on to something of our childhood. And how our fandom colors the biggest moments of our lives and change the way we see things outside of the arena. How being a fan keeps us company when we're low, adds to our highs, and continually fills us with anger and dread in between. Won't you take a ride?

The 100 Greatest Players In NHL History (And Other Stuff): An Arbitrary Collection of Arbitrary Lists


Greg Wyshynski - 2017
    Then check out their other lists and insights from the first 100 years of the NHL, including: - The Top 10 Ways The NHL Will Be Different in 25 Years - The Top 10 Most Questionable Decisions Under Gary Bettman - The 10 Worst Teams In NHL History - And the biggest gripes the authors had with each other’s rankings All of this makes THE 100 GREATEST PLAYERS IN NHL HISTORY (AND OTHER STUFF) a must-read for sports fans who love raging debates and the glorious weirdness of hockey!

Puck Love


Carmen Jenner - 2017
    Pure and sweet, men want to own her, women want to be her—everyone wants a piece of her, and Stella? Well, she wants out.NHL’s biggest player Van Ross isn’t afraid of the spotlight, but when Nashville’s darling seeks refuge at his home, he’s less than thrilled with the media shi*tstorm she brings.While Van would like nothing more than to show the purest of them all how well he handles his er… stick, Stella is no puck bunny. Nor is she as innocent as she’d have the world believe.On and off the ice, the end game is the same: line up the puck, take the shot, and score. If only their hearts understood the play.Puck fame and fortune.Puck right and wrong.Puck love.uck love.

Hockey: Then to WOW!


Sports Illustrated Kids - 2017
    Using NHL action photographs, illustrations, stories, and trivia, the book is a journey through time both for hockey fans and those new to the game. Kids will learn how basic equipment has changed from a ball to a puck and how the evolution of game strategy has transformed the sport, players, and equipment. Players throughout history are stacked up against each other in every position so fans can dream up the perfect fantasy team with Wayne Gretzky playing alongside Patrick Roy and Stan Mikita. A fun-filled section of the book explores everything fan culture-from the best ice rinks, to the iconic hockey sweater and the hockey haircut along with key aspects of the toughest sport around.

The Rochester Riot Digital Boxed Set: The Slot - The Crease - The Rebound


Colleen Charles - 2017
    From the moment we met over powdered sugar, I yearned to melt the icicles dripping from her wool tailored tweed. I have to have her and I always get what I want.Even if it means giving up my playboy ways. I'm the most badass center the NHL has ever seen and my plus/minus ratio is inspiring. Almost as impressive as my chiseled body and ahem...other huge assets. I can fire a shot from any angle that will make the opposing goalie scream for his mother. When it comes to pucks and f*cks, I'll always light the red light. But my desire for Eloise puts my Hall of Fame career on the line. That and her secrets. The ones I never wanted to know. I'ma rich, famous hockey player--she's a front office exec. On paper we don't fit.But there's one place where we fit. Like a glove. I have a stellar career and other obligations so I know I shouldn't get involved with her. It's too perilous. I can't fall...risk losing my heart. But for the first time, I woman sees me. The real me. Not some millionaire playboy that leaves panting women stranded in the stands. And I sure as hell want her. Her tempting curves beg me to take it all. But Eloise has been hiding something from me.She has a secret that threatens to destroy us both. And so this soaring NHL superstar is actually worried. Because if she lets it see the light of day,we're over. Done. The Crease She's unique. Different. The moment we met I was gone. Long gone. From her pink hair to her vintage Converse sneakers. I have to have her and I always get what I want. Even if it means my dark secret could be exposed. My addiction to her might ruin my career. Maybe even my life. I'm the most badass goalie the NHL has ever seen and my save percentage is inspiring. Almost as impressive as my chiseled body and ahem...other huge assets. I can snag any explosive rebound, any one-timer from the point and anything else that flies my way. I'll lead my team to the Stanley Cup or die trying. But my desire for Kylie puts my Hall of Fame career on the line. That and him. A vicious sociopathic blast from the past that I thought I'd never have to see again. And never wanted to. I'm a rich, famous hockey player--she's a personal assistant. On paper we don't fit. But there's one place where we fit. Like a glove. I have a stellar career and family obligations so I know I shouldn't get involved with her. It's too perilous. I can't fall...risk losing my heart. But for the first time, I woman sees me. The real me. Not some walking wallet that distributes Benjamins like a malfunctioning ATM. And I sure as hell want her. Her tempting curves beg me to take it all. But she's been hiding something from me too. She has a secret that threatens to destroy us both. Even worse than mine. And so the superstar goalie is actually afraid. Because if either of those secrets see the light of day, it's over. Done.

The Bannister Brothers Box Set : (Icing On The Date: Book One, Worth The Shot: Book Two, A Novella, & Skirting The Ice: Book Three) (A Bannister Brothers Book 4)


Jennie Marts - 2017
    Because falling in love changes all the rules… ICING ON THE DATE, Book One Struggling caterer, Gabby Davis, has enough on her plate trying to start her new business and take care of her deadbeat brother. The last thing she needs is to get involved with Owen Bannister, the brawling NHL player who is known for his cavalier playboy ways. Even if having him in her kitchen does turn up the heat. Owen Bannister has a reputation for being a hot-head that no one woman can pin down. When the press captures him laughing and frosting the cupcakes of a local baker, team management sees a chance to clean up his tarnished image. But he soon finds that love is the ultimate game changer, and he’s about to get checked. Having Gabby around is great for publicity and great for her business, but what happens when she becomes more than just a game? Mixing cupcakes and hockey might just be a recipe for love in this fun romantic comedy/sports romance that mixes a cute caterer with a bad-boy hockey player. WORTH THE SHOT, Book Two: A Bannister Brothers Novella Addison Cavanaugh had one rule: Do not date hockey players. So kissing the newest trade to her dad's team should have been off-limits--even if he is hot enough to melt the ice. After being traded in the middle of the season, Bane Bannister wasn’t looking for trouble. In fact, he’d been strictly instructed by his new coach to stay out of trouble and away from women. Too bad the only woman he’s interested in happens to be the coach’s daughter. Is the hunky hockey player enough to make Addison break her only rule? Is the new player worth the shot or is she risking her heart in a game she can't possibly win? SKIRTING THE ICE, Book Three Buttoned-up accountant Jack Bannister lives an uncomplicated life until his teenage crush moves back into the house next door—all grown up and sexy as hell. Murphy Ryan is still wild and reckless, and danger has followed her to Colorado. Jack will do whatever it takes to protect her, even it means letting her go…again. Murphy Ryan is focused on building a new NHL women’s hockey team. But staying on her game is hard with the distraction, and the memories, of the hot nerd in the house next door. Jack Bannister had been her first kiss, and she wants him to be her last. With his dry humor and sexy glasses, being smart never looked so good. Jack’s been given a chance to win back the one that got away, but worries this gorgeous hockey player is still out of his league. He’s kept his heart on ice, but now that Murphy’s back, she might be the one to finally thaw it. Get the first three Bannister Brothers Books in this one box set—two full length novels and one novella.

Wild Nights


Dantessa Stone - 2017
    So what? I’m a cocky, rich hockey player with more pucks than sense. A Game-player, a heart-breaker. I take what I want and never look back. I hadn’t expected in a million years to be back in this town. But hey, shit happens, especially when you got a temper like mine. My plan was to spend a season padding my stats and breaking in my mattress. I’d be out of here before the Zamboni finishes resurfacing the rink. Then one night Sasha fell into my arms. She’s been running through my mind ever since. She's changed something in me, that’s for sure. But will these changes last? Sasha Good girls shouldn’t fall for bad boys like Troy. I knew better. But I fell all the same. After losing my husband to the war I thought I’d never love again. My life revolves around family and running my own business. But life has a way of throwing a curve ball when you least expect it. Bumping into Troy was a chance encounter, two strangers passing in the night. A warm body to stave off the loneliness. I should have left it at that. But a one night stand turned into a string of secret, steamy rendezvous and I found my world spinning upside down. I want to believe he's the one, but I don't know. Am I making a big mistake? WILD NIGHTS is a Steamy Standalone Romance Novel with a Happy Ending (HEA)

The California Golden Seals: A Tale of White Skates, Red Ink, and One of the NHL's Most Outlandish Teams


Steve Currier - 2017
    From 1967 to 1978, a revolving door of players, apathetic owners, and ridiculous marketing decisions turned the Seals, originally based in Oakland, into hockey’s traveling circus. The team lost tons of money and games, cheated death more often than Evel Knievel, and left behind a long trail of broken dreams. Live seals were used as mascots, players wore skates that were painted white on an almost-daily basis, and draft picks were dealt away nonchalantly like cards at a poker game. One general manager was hauled in for questioning by mysterious men because he’d mismanaged a player contract, while one of the team’s goaltenders regularly spat tobacco juice at the feet of referees.The California Golden Seals examines the franchise’s entire mismanaged—but always interesting—history, from its ballyhooed beginnings as a minor-league champion in the 1960s to its steep slide into oblivion in the late 1970s after moving to Cleveland. Through a comprehensive season-by-season narrative and a section of definitive statistics, Currier brings to life the Seals’ entire history with lighthearted anecdotes, personal interviews, and statistics about hockey’s most infamous losing team.

Hockey Analytics: A Game-Changing Perspective


Stephen Shea - 2017
    

We Did Everything But Win: Former New York Rangers Remember the Emile Francis Era (1964-1976)


George Grimm - 2017
    There are also chapters detailing Emile’s playing career and his hiring as general manager as well as the aftermath of his dismissal and an analysis of his tenure behind the bench and as GM. It was during those years that the National Hockey League doubled in size and the Rangers moved into a brand-new Madison Square Garden. As the popularity of the National Hockey League skyrocketed, who could forget the Rangers’ battles on the ice with Boston’s Big Bad Bruins and Philadelphia’s Broad Street Bullies and showdowns with the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Black Hawks? All the great moments are here including a heart-stopping, triple-overtime victory in the 1971 playoffs and Vic Hadfield’s 50th goal the following season. We Did Everything But Win is a tribute to the Rangers of that era; Jacques Plante and Marcel Paille, Eddie Giacomin and Gilles Villemure, Harry Howell and Jim “The Chief” Neilson, “The Old Smoothies,” the “G-A-G Line,” and the “Bulldog Line.” It’s the story of colorful players with nicknames like “Boomer,” “Stemmer,” and “Sarge” and fan favorites such as Brad Park, Rod Gilbert, Jean Ratelle, Walt Tkaczuk. It’s all here—the highs and the lows, the inspiring victories, the devastating losses, and the funny moments along the way.

The Chicago Tribune Book of the Chicago Blackhawks: A Decade-By-Decade History


Chicago Tribune - 2017
    Since their founding in 1926, the Hawks have won six Stanley Cup championships and produced dozens of standout stars, from Hall of Fame goaltender Mike Karakas in the '30s to Bobby "The Golden Jet" Hull in the '60s to current team captain Jonathan Toews. And the Chicago Tribune, the team's hometown newspaper, has been covering it all from the very beginning.Published to coincide with the start of the 2017-18 season, The Chicago Tribune Book of the Chicago Blackhawks is a decade-by-decade look at the city's 21st-century sports dynasty. Curated by the Chicago Tribune sports department, this book documents every era in the team's history, from the 1920s to the present day, through the newspaper's original reporting, in-depth analysis, comprehensive timelines, and archival photos. Each chapter includes profiles on key coaches and players, highlighting the top players from each decade as well as every Stanley Cup championship. Bonus "overtime" material--stats and facts on championships, Hall of Famers, memorable trades, and more--provides a blow-by-blow look at all 90 years of the franchise's history.

Hockey Goaltending


Eli Wilson - 2017
    . . these are just some of the qualities a goaltender needs to bring onto the ice at game time. Excellence requires practice, consistency, and understanding--of the position, the situation, and your talents.No one knows this better than Eli Wilson does. Widely recognized as the leading authority on goaltending, he has worked alongside 30 NHL goaltenders, including Carey Price, Ray Emery, Tuukka Rask, and Brian Elliott.In Hockey Goaltending, Eli Wilson and Brian van Vliet have created the definitive guide to stopping more pucks, winning more games, and lowering your goals against average. Inside, you will find coverage on every facet of the position:- Selection of the right equipment for fit and functionality- Stance and presence in the net, including footwork, stick placement, and body positioning- Puck stopping, from save selection to execution- Postsave recovery strategies, including controlling and directing rebounds- Tactics for breakaways, odd-man rushes, and wraparounds- Focus and visualization methods to improve the mental game- On- and off-ice drills and training programs for year-round conditioning to increase strength, stamina, speed, and agility- Suggestions for building productive relationships between head coaches, goaltending coaches, and goaltendersFrom skills to strategies, equipment to exercises, Hockey Goaltending covers the position like no other. Packed with drills, step-by-step instructions, photos, diagrams, and coaching tips, this book touches on every aspect of the game so you can compete at the highest level.

Against All Odds: The Untold Story of Canada's Unlikely Hockey Heroes


P.J. Naworynski - 2017
    Outraged, a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron leader, Sandy Watson, quickly assembled a team of air force hockey players who were “amateur enough” to complete under the Olympic guidelines.Sergeant Frank Boucher was recruited to coach the team and begin the cross-Canada search for players. Hubert Brooks, a decorated flying officer and serial escapist from POW camps, was another early recruit. Andy Gilpin joined from the RCAF base in Whitehorse, as did airmen from Quebec, the Maritimes and western Canada. And when their starting goalie, Dick Ball, didn’t pass a medical exam, Murray Dowey was called up from his job as a TTC driver and occasional practice goalie for the Toronto Maple Leafs.The ragtag team got off to a rough start, losing so many exhibition games that Canadian newspapers called them a disgrace to the country. But the RCAF Flyers battled back, and Boucher’s defensive strategy paid off. They eliminated the American team, tied the Czech team and beat the Swiss as the hometown crowd pelted the Canadians with snowballs during the game. On the same ice where Barbara Ann Scott won a gold medal, the underdog RCAF Flyers also won Olympic gold, and their goalie, Murray Dowey, set an Olympic record that still stands.Against All Odds is the inspiring untold story of a group of determined men, fresh from the battlefields of WWII, who surprised a nation and the world.

The Toronto Maple Leafs: The Complete Oral History


Eric Zweig - 2017
    Over the next hundred years, the franchise changed names twice, home rinks twice, and won 13 Stanley Cups on its way to becoming one of the most successful and storied franchises in NHL history.The Toronto Maple Leafs: The Complete Oral History gives the most comprehensive record of the team from its formation to the present day. With first-hand accounts of some of the biggest names ever to play the game — Syl Apps, Darryl Sittler, Mats Sundin — as well as coaches, managers, and commentators, Eric Zweig gives readers the full insider history of Canada’s most iconic team.

Behind the Bench: The Inside Stories and Leadership Secrets Revealed in Private Film Sessions with the NHL’s Best Coaches


Craig Custance - 2017
    They can be branded as heroes, ousted as scapegoats, quietly valued as friends, and everything in between. It's all in the job description for an NHL head coach. In Behind the Bench, ESPN's Craig Custance sits down for film sessions and candid conversations with some of the game's most notable modern luminaries—names like Mike Babcock, Joel Quenneville, Dan Bylsma, Todd McLellan, Ken Hitchcock, and Claude Julien—all of whom share their singular views on topics ranging from leadership secrets to on-ice game plans. Dissect some of hockey's greatest moments with the men who set the pieces in motion. Go straight to the source on what it's like to manage a dressing room full of the league's top stars or execute line changes with everything at stake. Signature games, including Stanley Cup finals, Olympic gold medal clashes, and World Championship contests—both wins and losses—are reflected upon and broken down in detail, making this essential reading for current and aspiring coaches, players, and hockey fans alike.

A Superfan's Guide to Pro Basketball Teams


Tyler Omoth - 2017
    Packed with must-know info and action photos, this guide gets nothing but net.

The Official NHL Hockey Treasures, Centennial Edition


Dan Diamond - 2017
    Published to coincide with and celebrate the centenary of the National Hockey League, this fully revised and updated edition—in a brand new format—of The Official NHL Hockey Treasures tells the rich and fascinating history of hockey through hundreds of photographs and an exhaustively researched and lucid text.The origin and evolution of hockey, especially the professional game in North America are explored, as are the great players, famous games and illustrious teams. But where this title really scores is through its awe-inspiring collection of 25 items of facsimile memorabilia, which have been inserted into four printed bags affixed inside the book. These documents have all been reproduced in such a way that you will feel as if you have the very originals in your hand. The artefacts include 90-yearold newspaper reports from the NHL’s first games, letters from the President of the NHL, player contracts—including Gordie Howe’s deal to play with his two sons on the Hartford Whalers—collectible hockey cards, and much, much more.Divided into eight sections, The Official NHL Hockey Treasures offers a refreshing perspective of this fast-moving and thrilling sport through—simultaneously—historical narrative and features. This beautiful volume is something hockey fans will treasure forever.

Toronto and the Maple Leafs: A City and Its Team


Lance Hornby - 2017
    In the spirit of the centenary celebrations, Toronto and the Maple Leafs explores the city’s relationship with its most beloved sports team. No matter how many times the Jays and Raptors make the playoffs, it’s a Leafs game that still brings the city together on a cold Saturday night and fuels the talk shows all summer. But why are fans so absorbed by a team that has not won a Cup in 50 years?Veteran Leafs and NHL columnist Lance Hornby gives readers an insider’s perspective on how the pulse of the city and team became one through two world wars, the Depression, the zany Harold Ballard years, and, until recently, dysfunctional hockey operations. Toronto and the Maple Leafs includes insights and stories from Mayor John Tory to Joe Fan; from influential voices of the Leafs, such as Foster Hewitt and Joe Bowen, to the ushers, cleaners, and ticket scalpers. Not to mention a funeral director who performs Leafs-themed services.An unforgettable book about the good teams, bad games, and bizarre times of this franchise’s history, this is the perfect companion for every Leafs fan.

The Cinema of Hockey: Four Decades of the Game on Screen


Iri Cermak - 2017
    Hockey's sizable cinematic repertoire explores different views of the sport, including the role of aggression, the business of sports, race and gender, and the role of women in the game. This critical study focuses on hockey themes in more than 50 films and television movies from the U.S. and Canada spanning several decades. Depictions of historical games are discussed, including the 1980 Miracle on Ice and the 1972 Summit Series. National myths that inform ideas of the hockey player are examined. Production techniques that enhance hockey as on-screen spectacle are covered.

Five Hole


Ginger Sharp - 2017
     What’s that old saying, "It's a dirty bird [indeed] that fouls its own nest." For Remy Stone, it is his goalie Coach Brook Pierson that he is instantly attracted to the moment she stepped into the locker room. He tries to make every excuse to dislike her, but the more grief he gives her, the deeper he falls. Rarer situations happen, but meeting your soulmate on the ice isn’t anticipated. Things can get way personal faster than you expect when you’re attracted to your coach. His persistence to win at her game could be a downright disaster and ruin their careers. Brook battles him to follow her direction on the ice, until one day when he asks for help with sorting out his issues. She likes this kinder side of Remy than his normal brooding self. Brook knows in the back of her head that maybe this isn’t a good idea to lust after her one of her players, but they are clearly attracted to each other, and she tries to resist temptations. From the moment, they kissed, they knew it would wreak havoc on their lives.

NHL 100


Scott Morrison - 2017
    But as die-hard fans well know, greatness isn't the whole story. In this image-rich, licensed celebration of the NHL's past and present, veteran hockey journalist Scott Morrison mines a century of NHL hockey to find the game's 100 most important moments. From Bobby Orr's 1969-70 trophy haul, to Detroit coach Scotty Bowman's unprecedented icing of five Russians at once on the Red Wings' way to their first of several Stanley Cups, the Šťastný brothers' defection, and Roger Neilson reviewing a game on VHS, these moments weren't always the photogenic peaks of athletic glory that graced the morning news, but each of them changed the game.