Ice Hockey Books

This is a really great book! It has helped me understand the science behind the game, in turn making me more aware of things that will make the game easier on my body and me more effective on the ice. I especially like that there is a whole chapter on goaltending, which can aide shooters in beating the goalie to the back of the net as well as the goaltender's skills. It was not an easy read if you don't want to sit in silence and focus entirely on reading the book. There is a lot of mental math if you care to truly understand the math. The author did a great job "dumbing" it up so non-physicists can understand.

Alain Haché's The Physics of Hockey an extremely interesting book. As fans, we watch NHL players do some pretty incredible things, but don't really understand how they do them. Mr Haché uses his tremendous knowledge of physics to explain "how hockey happens".

The book explains just about every imaginable aspect of ice hockey. It explains how the ice rink is created and maintained. It tells us why players skate the way they do, why goalies move the way they do, why the players manipulate their sticks in certain ways, why the bodily protection is needed and how it works and how the game generally proceeds.

Haché's style is quite readable, though the idea of applying physics to hockey seems on the surface to be dry. He clearly loves the game and that comes through in his writing. He is both a scientist and a player, and he skillfully combines both of these talents in one very well-written volume.

For a scientist the book is much more meaningful; however, the book has plenty to offer for non-technical hockey fans. The book mixes very technical analyses and diagrams demonstrating physical principles with very down-to-earth prose that general hockey fans should gain a lot from and really enjoy.

The book's one flaw is the way in which the content was organized. The book starts off with a lot of scientific content before moving into the down-to-earth, non-technical prose. In fact, the first topic treated, the physics of the ice itself, is so esoteric, that even I, an engineer, was almost discouraged from moving past it. I was glad I made it through.

If there's a second edition, I suggest that Haché revise the structure of the book. He should write a version that deals with the physics in a way that demonstrates principles without detailed equations and diagrams. Then he should complete each chapter or section with his more technical treatment of each topic, which the non-technical person can bypass without really losing anything in the translation.

The physics is mainly what is called "mechanics". It involves the forces on skates that propel the players and the effects of friction with the ice. It also explains the movement of a puck, both sliding on ice and soaring through the air, and the impact of players on each other or on the boards in body contact. Haché also discusses ice quality and how it affects the play, and how the design of hockey skates achieves maximum usefulness. We also learn how figure skates and speed skates differ from hockey skates.

The difficulty of getting a puck past a goalie is explained in diagrams showing the effective open area of the net, why a goalie moves as he does in order to minimize this area, and why his equipment is designed as it is. Lots of interesting statistics are presented, such as typical puck speeds, both in standard shooting and slap shots, skating speeds and acceleration rates, and sizes of hockey players as it affects their play. The explanation of how a Zamboni works and what ice maintenance is about in general is also extremely interesting.

The Physics of Hockey is an excellent book. Alain Haché's explanations are current (using many current NHL stars) and very interesting (most hockey fans really have no idea how everything happens on the ice from a scientific standpoint). This is a very engaging book for a technical person, but I think Haché missed an opportunity to achieve a broader appeal with a somewhat different organization of the material.

If you like ice hockey and got a B or better in high school physics (and you remember how it happened), this book is a must-have.

Alain Haché is an amateur-league goalie, and a professional physicist. His book analyses all aspects of the game, from the coefficient of friction of ice at different temperatures to the effects of air and gravity on a flying puck after a slapshot.

The book includes references to hockey biographies, medical and physiological papers, and player technique books like "Speed on Skates".

Some reviewers might fault the book for not explaining hockey with only physics; the author uses statistics (to explain witing and losing streaks), and geometry (to explain why goalies come out of the net) in his analysis.

Haché's explanations are well written, and as far as I can tell, technically correct. The author is a student of the game and his reference for it is obvious. For the math hobbyist or amateur physicist who is also interested in hockey, this is a fantastic book.

What Chris & Scott did was allow me to stroll down memory land; bring me back to my younger days growing up in Timmins. The heritage, the way of life. Wow! I am saddened that my 3 boys and daughter will miss out on 'The Rink'. For my peer group, our families were all poor. We had no money. 'The Rink' broke down ALL barriers. The Mahovolich's, Vail's, Lever's.Babando's, Hannigans's, Prentice's, Guidlon's and so on had no money,. But, when we went into 'The Rink', we were equal. And we excelled. 'The Rink' was a way of life. It transcened what living was all about; it really was a contradiction n terms as 'sociologists' would say. For so many of us it was like dying and going to heaven; nothing was wrong with it. When we walked in, the smell was distinct and sooooo familiar. We knew we were at 'home'! We felt secure. When we entered the dressing roomss, we were in a differnet 'mode', one that was somewhat esoteric. The smell of stinky, musty equipment within the sacred, hallowed dressing room was sooo sweet. As our collegues (players) filled in, the commaraderie (as Ken Dryden so poignantly points out in his book THE GAME) is instantly redefined from individuals to a 'team'. 'The Rink' allowed us to be many things to many people. We were more than players and 'they were more than 'fans'. In some respect it ('The Rink') was really the focal point of our lives during the winter months from October until April. If you are not from Northern Canada, this book means nothing to you. If you read it, there is no significance to you, no association. And if you're from the U.S. of A. reading this book is not esoterically confusing, you just won't understand it. IT was not written for people outside of Canada. The unfortunate thing ab out hte book is that it misses 'Rinks' that 'should've ' bee in it. however, we all know that the authors couldn't get all rinks in Canada. So be it. To Chris and Scott, excellent job.

Having just returned from a Canadian youth hocky tournament, it was easy to relate to the stories in the book. I felt I was experiencing the history of the rinks told about. Excellent book.

I believe this is one of the most enjoyable books i have ever read about hockey. I especially liked it because myself, and my hockey team, are spoken of in a section of the book. Cuthbert and Russell really capture the history and spirit of some of hockey's most famous institutions. A must-read for hockey players or fans.

This is a great book and a must for any hockey coach. Where else can you get the mind set of so many great coaches? The George Kingston section alone is priceless and I didnt even know who he was! This isnt a book on X's and O's. Its a book on motivation and leadership. Something that carries over into the "real" world....or at least anything outside of hockey.
I use the info in this book everyday

Highlights are George Kingston, Clare Drake, and Pat Quinn. Spend the $15-$20. Trust me

This book is a must read for the dedicated hockey coach. The 12 coaches interviewed (pro, semi-pro and college) offer their philosophies on "leading" people. The other reviewer is correct. This is not a guide to developing strategy. Rather, a very effective way to explore how you evaluate and develop players, how you create team, how you develop yourself as a coach with a vision, and how you implement the vision. This book is an honest examination by the most successful coaches of their successes, failures, the challenges of being a coach, leading players, and balancing work and life. If you approach coaching hockey as a "calling," to help improve young men and women, you will read and re-read this book constantly.

Good book. It's basically an interview process with all the coaches listed where they write the question asked followed by the response from the coach, with most of the questions being the same. There is little strategy discussed in the book which was the only disapointment I had. Other then that, it's fantastic for anyone in the coaching bussiness or in managenement. Some of the coaches don't go into great detail on things or give short answers, but I'd recommend it for an hockey lover.

I enjoyed the book very much. For hockey fans and non-hockey fans. An easy read that recaps the history of the Bruins in small easy to read chapters. Rather than just tell the history, which it does do, it includes behind the scenes stories which are funny, interesting, and amazing. I'm looking forward to reading the entire Original Six series by this author. A great starting book for all hockey fans and especially those who don't know much about hockey but are interested!

As a long time Bruin fan, I highly recommend this book. McFarlane does an excellent job recounting many great stories from the early years of this great franhise to the Bruins today. This book would also make a great gift for any hockey fan. Highly recommended.

I have been a Canucks fan since I was seven years old and I am now 25 yrs old and a greater canuck fan than ever before. I have been waiting for a book like this for over a decade. From the origins of Hockey in British Columbia to the Legacy we have now. I think no one that could have been more fit to write this book than himself Trevor Linden.

LOVE THE BOOK. RECIEVED INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEAM THAT I DID NOT KNOW.
I HATE THAT SOME PAGES THAT HAVE WORDS WRITTEN ON THEM HAVE A DARK COLORING AS A BACKGROUND. HARD TO PICK UP THE WORDS ON THOSE PAGES

This book has it all---fast-paced action and amazing illustrations. Casey and Derek on the Ice is packed with all the excitement and unexpected twists and turns of the final, hotly-contested minutes of a real hockey game. My little hockey player loves this story. I love this story

My son loves this story. It keeps you on the edge of your seat hoping that somehow, someway the hockey-playing brothers, Casey and Derek, can help their team snatch victory from the brink of defeat. A must-have book for hockey families or anyone who loves a good "never-say-die" story.

The Hockey News recently listed the 100 most influential people in hockey. Read "Crunch" and you'll know why Kevin Allen was on that list. An informative and entertaining book that chronicles the sport's physical side, it's a MUST read for every fan of the "Coolest Game on Earth"!

Kevin Allen shows why hockey is more than just a contact sport. He speaks of the grit and guts required to succeed in the sport. It is also well written and the style does not become burdensome. This book is great.

THIS IS A EXELLENT BOOK FOR ANYONE WHO WANT'S TO BE A GOALTENDER .GRANT FUHR GIVE'S VERY GOOD ADVICE AND TIP'S FOR ASPIRING GOALTENDER'S. A MUST READ BOOK'

this book is very informative. it helped me become a better goalie . it also gives a brief overveiw of grant fuhr's career and accomplishments. i recommend this book to any aspiring goalies and their parents/coaches. it is also a great book for grant fuhr fans. i enjoyed reading it and still look at it years later.

This work represents the finest photo collection of GORDIE HOWE'S career to date. If YOU are old enough to remember the epic battles between the Montreal Canadians and the Detroit Red Wings of the 1950's-60's, YOU can relive these times in photo concepts - eg. Howe's 545 goal in the Montreal Forum eclipsing Rocket Richards's record and the 15 minute standing ovation by Montreal fans; Howe's commentary on the Montreal dynasty once Jacque Plante and Jean Bellevue arrived on the hockey scene; the skilled fis-ti-cuffs of Gordie Howe against bad boy, Lou Fontinato of the New York Rangers; and Howe's best picks of NHL players he most admired! ... BUY TWO AND MAKE A FRIEND!

I read this book back in November of 1999. The co-author Frank Condron did an excellent job with Gordie Howe in putting this historical book together. On top of the simple fact that a picture is worth 1,000 words. The whole book is a Hockey Pictoral Treasure. Mr. Condron did an excellent job of writing this book. What I mean by that is. Simply because you don't feel your reading Gordies words. Its like Mr. Howe is right next to you and he is pointing at each picture as you turn every page. Also it is quite obvious after all the press, awards and fame, Gordie Howe is still a gentleman.

Being a fan of the Montreal Canadiens, this book was an obvious choice for me. I found it was a great book to read. It covers the Habs in great detail and is hard to put down. If you're a Montreal Canadiens fan, this book is for you.

This is a great read for any fan of the Montreal Canadiens. Whether you are a long-time follower and want to relive some moments of glory, or a recent admirer and want to learn about the incredible legacy of this team, you will like this book. Even to those newer to the sport can easily get caught up in the vivid accounts of times past. At times the descriptive stories about some of the greatest moments in the history of the game brought a rush of emotion and pride as I pictured myself in the Forum of old, cheering on the Richards, Toe Blake, Ken Dryden, Guy Lafleur, and so many others. If you like hockey, this book should be considered a must-read.