Ishockey

A classic David & Goliath tale, complete with colourful heroes, cold-hearted villains, and nail-biting games—with the hockey rink serving as an arena for a nation’s resistance.

When the St. Louis Blues were granted a new National Hockey League franchise in 1966, they made goaltender Glenn Hall their first pick in the expansion draft of 1967. Since that time, a lot of different names (696) and a lot of different jersey numbers (81) have adorned the sweater. Once and for all, the Best of the Blues settles the water-cooler debates and bar-room arguments over who was the best ever to play for the franchise. Remember unremarkable names like Jack Borotsik, colorful characters like Steve "Mental Case" Durbano, and some of the game's most iconic figures like Brett Hull, Wayne Gretzky, Doug Harvey, and Jacque Plante. St. Louis native Dan O'Neill, who covered the team for more than 30 years at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, spotlights the top 25 players in Blues history, along with the seasons and circumstances that made them so special. You'll find sections about the "Best of the Brief'' and the "Best of the Rest," those who should be part of the conversation along with a fanciful glossary on the best of everything else about the franchise and its loyal fan base. The Best of the Blues lays it out like a Bob Plager hip check and hits the net like a Brett Hull snap-shot. This is a book that will peak the interest and capture the imagination of St. Louis hockey fans for years to come.

"e;Now after 50 years, it's time for Canada to stand up and cheer. Stand up and cheer everybody! The Olympics Salt Lake City, 2002, men's ice hockey gold medal: Canada!"e; -Bob Cole, CBC play-by-play broadcaster There was no iconic Paul Henderson moment, nor a Sidney Crosby golden goal, but Canada's 5-2 victory against the rival United States in the men's 2002 Olympic gold medal game wiped out 50 years of frustration for the nation that invented ice hockey. Canadians from coast to coast were whipped into a frenzy, with impromptu celebrations on streets like Granville in Vancouver, Yonge in Toronto, Ste-Catherine in Montreal, and Portage and Main in Winnipeg.Gold is the definitive chronicle of how the men of Team Canada made history. Marking 20 years since the momentous victory, Tim Wharnsby delivers the inside story of how Gretzky built the team and Pat Quinn got them to the gold medal, featuring exclusive interviews with players, coaches, and personnel.Readers will hear directly from Gretzky, Jarome Iginla, Joe Sakic, Steve Yzerman, and more in this thrilling and immersive narrative of Olympic triumph.

As an Original Six franchise, the NY Rangers have accumulated a wealth of unforgettable games and moments that have come to define the team. Thanks to the diligent efforts of the Rangers' broadcast crew, as well as some of the longest tenured writers covering the team, these moments will live on in the hearts and minds of Rangers fans forever. Author Matthew Blittner interviewed Kenny Albert, Jeff Beukeboom, Larry Brooks, Rick Carpiniello, John Davidson, John Dellapina, Stan Fischler, John Giannone, Rod Gilbert, Adam Graves, Allan Kreda, Don La Greca, Dave Maloney, Sal Messina, Joe Micheletti, Pat O'Keefe, Mike Richter, Howie Rose, Dan Rosen, Sam Rosen, Derek Stepan and Al Trautwig to tell the stories of some of the most memorable games and moments in Rangers history.

For over 40-years the NY Islanders have called Long Island, NY home (with the exception of a handful of years during which they played in Brooklyn). And over the course of those 40-plus seasons, the Islanders have authored some of the greatest moments in NHL history.They came from nothing. They were an expansion franchise with money problems that lost more than they won. But then came along a Coach by the name of Al Arbour and together with GM Bill Torrey, the two of them built the Islanders into a perennial playoff powerhouse.First came playoff upsets of the Rangers and Penguins. Then came some epic playoff series against the Rangers and Sabres. And finally, after falling just short year-after-year, the 1980 Islanders did it. They captured Lord Stanley's Cup, kickstarting a run of four-straight Cup championships and 19-straight playoff series victories.But nothing lasts forever. And even though they haven't won a Cup since 1983, they have still authored some iconic moments.Nobody and I mean nobody will ever forget the Easter Epic, which lasted into the fourth-overtime period before Pat LaFontaine won it for the Isles at just shy of 2:00AM on Easter Sunday 1987. Then there was the Shawn Bates penalty-shot goal against Toronto in the '02 playoffs. And if you prefer something more recent, how about the John Tavares' double-overtime series-clinching goal against Florida in the 2016 playoffs that ended 23-years of playoff frustration. Or, how about the Isles emotional return to The Coliseum after thinking they would never be back?Thanks to the cooperation of the writers, broadcasters, scouts, PR Directors and several former players who have been around the team for decades, Author Matthew Blittner was able to interview the likes of: Neil Best, Greg Bouris, Larry Brooks, Frank Brown, Brendan Burke, Pat Calabria, Hawley Chester, Brian Compton, Eric Compton, Stan Fischler, Alan Hahn, Shannon Hogan, Chris King, Allan Kreda, Steve Mears, Barry Meisel, Bobby Nystrom, Glenn "Chico" Resch, Howie Rose, Neil Smith, Arthur Staple, John Sterling, Rich Torrey, Ed Westfall and Alyse Zwick to bring these -- and other -- unforgettable Islanders moments to life.

Where do great NHL players come from? You might have a plethora of answers, but one that people tend to overlook is the ECHL (formerly East Coast Hockey League). Most people just see it as a mid to low level league... It might surprise you to learn that the ECHL has successfully played a hand in developing 662 NHL players. An avid hockey fan himself, Germond does not write as an outsider looking in. He gets onto the ice and shows you the practical and straightforward ways that the ECHL forges some of the NHL's talents. Germond has a strong connection to minor league ice hockey and truly believes the ECHL does not get the recognition it deserves for the developmental league that it is. ECHL 2 NHL: Developing NHL Players explores the intersections of prospect development, how to better the minor league developmental model, and ECHL success stories and what can be learned from them.This book includes not only Germond's personal experiences and knowledge but also that of professional players such as: * Jacob MacDonald of the Colorado Avalanche (NHL) & Colorado Eagles (AHL) * Shane Harper of Örebro HK (SHL) * Connor LaCouvee of the Laval Rocket (AHL) & Maine Mariners (ECHL) * And more...No matter what brought you to the rink, you will undoubtedly enjoy the view into the inner workings of professional hockey. Germond takes you on a tour through the ECHL and beyond.

An Inspirational True Story! Chasing the NHL is the story of a fresh-faced, overlooked, NHL-caliber hockey player named Trent Daavettila and insurance agent Jay Storm. Jay and Trent meet while playing men's league hockey together in small-town Michigan. Jay immediately recognizes that Trent's talents are above and beyond everyone else on the ice and sets off on a quest to get Trent a shot at the NHL, in an attempt to land a pro hockey contract. "Inspirational, funny, and interesting. Great read for hockey players and hockey families of all ages." -Todd Krygier - retired NHL player over 500 games "Trent had the most poise I have ever seen in the ECHL. He was dynamic and was one of the best 200 foot players to play in the league." -Nick Bootland - Head coach Kalamazoo Wings "Releasing Trent was one of the easiest decisions I could make but turned out to be one of my biggest mistakes. After a couple of practices I informed Trent that I wouldn't be keeping him, he came right back into my office and told me he wasn't going anywhere. I truly respected him for this and kept him around for another week but still felt if I played him he would get hurt. I spent the next four years trying to trade for him and get him on my team. His hockey sense and vision was thru the roof but his perseverance is remarkable" -Jarrod Skalde - Retired NHL player and current player development coach with Pittsburgh Penguins This is a story of enthusiasm, optimism, and persistence that transcends professional sports, and is relatable to anyone who has ever thought to chase their dreams and make the most of their talents. Based on the real-life story of a small-town hockey hero, Chasing the NHL offers a nitty-gritty, up-close-and-personal account of the obstacles this extreme athletic talent overcame, as well as the accolades he received. Trent was overlooked until the age most other players at his level had established careers. Along with the late-blooming development of Trent's hockey talent come all the trials and tribulations of adulthood, as well as the joys, such as marriage and children. Follow the story of Trent Daavettila and Jay Storm as the two of them work tirelessly with minor league hockey teams across North America to achieve their dream of reaching the NHL.

As a transplanted, expansion franchise, the NJ Devils have accumulated a wealth of unforgettable games and moments that have come to define the team. Thanks to the diligent efforts of the Devils' broadcast crew, as well as some of the longest tenured writers covering the team, these moments will live on in the hearts and minds of Devils fans forever. Author Matthew Blittner interviewed Larry Brooks, Steve Cangialosi, Ken Daneyko, John Dellapina, Roland Dratch, Mike "Doc" Emrick, Stan Fischler, Andrew Gross, Larry Hirsch, Matt Loughlin, Corey Masisak, Mike Morreale, Deb Placey, Glenn "Chico" Resch, Chris Ryan, Bryce Salvador, Leo Scaglione Jr. and Jim Sullivan to tell the stories of some of the most memorable games and moments in NJ Devils history.

Off beat...Off kilter...Even off the grid. Taro Lives! explores the gags and hoaxes that tagged the author with a"Sui Generis" label: (latin: one of a kind). Sports and sports tv as they've never been seen before-or since.

Renowned sportswriter Stephen Brunt reveals how "the Great One,” who was bought and sold more than once, decided that the comfortable Canadian city where hockey ruled couldn't compete with the slushy ice of a California franchise.Bobby Orr's career ended prematurely, with tears. Wayne Gretzky's tears, unlike Orr's, announced not an ending but another beginning. Gretzky's Edmonton Oilers had four Stanley Cup victories, but Gretzky may then have had other goals in mind.Beginning with his dad, Walter, and continuing with Nelson Skalbania, Peter Pocklington, Bruce McNall, Jerry Buss — and with the CBC's Peter Gzowski as chronicler for the eager masses — the enormity of Gretzky's talent attracted all sorts of people who were after a variety of vicarious thrills.

The complete story of the Edmonton Oilers--from Wayne Gretzky and the dynasty years, to Connor McDavid and the future, and everything in between.When the Edmonton Oilers joined the NHL in 1979, the team owner, Peter Pocklington, proclaimed they would win their first Stanley Cup within five years. A bold statement that turned out to be half right: they not only won the Cup in 1984, but won it four more times over the next six years, forging one of the most dominant dynasties ever. The Oilers have always been a team of determination--fast scoring, hard hitting, and creative hockey that has earned them loyal fans across North America. The team has faced adversity, both on and off the ice. As a small market team, the Oilers have struggled to compete in the NHL, but always found a way. From the biggest trade in history that saw the Great One leave for L.A., to the eleventh hour negotiations that kept the team in Edmonton with a cadre of thirty-seven passionate owners--there is no club like it. And now with super star Connor McDavid leading the roster there's never been greater promise for the future. With forty years of NHL action to celebrate, acclaimed sports writer Lorna Schultz Nicholson takes a journey back to the Oiler's phenomenal highs and challenging lows, the larger than life characters and amazing records, to tell the remarkable story of the hardest working club in the game. Fully illustrated with rare and exciting images, and published in full partnership with the Edmonton Oilers, this is the must have book for Oilers fans, and hockey fans, everywhere.