best hockey biography books

100 Best Hockey Books of All Time

We've researched and ranked the best hockey books in the world, based on recommendations from world experts, sales data, and millions of reader ratings. Learn more

The Deal (Off-Campus, #1)

Elle Kenned | 5.00

See more recommendations for this book...

Pucked (Pucked, #1)

Helena Hunting, Shannon Lumetta | 4.83

Him (Him, #1)

Peter Swanson, Sophie Amoss, et al | 4.82

The Score (Off-Campus, #3)

Elle Kenned | 4.80

Alex (Cold Fury Hockey, #1)

Sawyer Bennet | 4.80

The Boys of Winter

The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team

Wayne Coffey, Ken Morrow, Jim Craig | 4.79

The Mistake (Off-Campus, #2)

Elle Kennedy | 4.76

Us (Him, #2)

Elle Kennedy, Sarina Bowen | 4.71

Ken Dryden | 4.68

Zack (Cold Fury Hockey, #3)

Sawyer Bennet | 4.66

Don't have time to read the top Hockey books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

• Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
• Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
• Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.

Garrett (Cold Fury Hockey, #2)

Sawyer Bennet | 4.65

Ryker (Cold Fury Hockey, #4)

Sawyer Bennet | 4.62

Pucked Over (Pucked, #3)

Helena Hunting and Jessica Royer Ocke | 4.59

Taking Shots (Assassins, #1)

Toni Ale | 4.58

Beartown (Beartown, #1)

Fredrik Backman | 4.58

Peter King Fathers Day Book 1: “Beartown,” by Fredrik Backman. Terrific, disturbing speed-read about hockey’s grip on a small Swedish town, and how the addiction to the game warps good people. Sports are fun. Sports are not life. Great lessons here. Could not put this book down. (Source)

The Goal (Off-Campus, #4)

Elle Kennedy | 4.57

The Understatement of the Year (The Ivy Years, #3)

Sarina Bowe | 4.57

Rookie Move (Brooklyn Bruisers, #1)

Sarina Bowe | 4.55

Good Boy (WAGs, #1)

Sarina Bowen and Elle Kenned | 4.52

Stay (WAGs, #2)

Sarina Bowen and Elle Kenned | 4.47

The Year We Fell Down (The Ivy Years, #1)

Sarina Bowe | 4.46

The Chase (Briar U, #1)

Elle Kenned | 4.45

How to Build Habit-Forming Products

Nir Eyal, Ryan Hoover | 4.45

Matt Mullenweg Hooked gives you the blueprint for the next generation of products. Read Hooked or the company that replaces you will. (Source)

Tee-Ming Chew Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal. It changed the way I think about product and helps you to be hyper focused on what matters rather than what is cool for your users. (Source)

Irina Marinescu Already a classic about how to build successful products. Also, retention is a priority goal for any Product Manager, but you can't have retention if you are not setting a good engagement rate. It was a great starting point for me as part of my first startup and continues to help me today as acquired knowledge about user behavior. (Source)

Empty Net (Assassins, #3)

Toni Ale | 4.45

Pucked Up (Pucked, #2)

Helena Hunting and Jessica Royer Ocke | 4.44

Blue Lines (Assassins, #5)

Toni Ale | 4.43

The Risk (Briar U, #2)

Elle Kenned | 4.43

Pucked Off (Pucked, #5)

Helena Hunting and Jessica Royer Ocke | 4.42

Trying to Score (Assassins, #2)

Toni Ale | 4.41

Hawke (Cold Fury Hockey, #5)

Sawyer Bennet | 4.41

Max (Cold Fury Hockey, #6)

Sawyer Bennet | 4.38

Hard Hitter (Brooklyn Bruisers, #2)

Sarina Bowe | 4.37

Taking a Shot (Play by Play, #3)

Jaci Burton | 4.37

Boarded by Love (Bellevue Bullies, #1)

Toni Ale | 4.37

Brooklynaire (Brooklyn, #1)

Sarina Bowe | 4.36

Heated Rivalry (Game Changers, #2)

Rachel Rei | 4.36

Roman (Cold Fury Hockey, #7)

Sawyer Bennet | 4.31

Breakaway (Scoring Chances, #1)

Avon Gal | 4.31

Breakaway (Portland Storm, #1)

Catherine Gayl | 4.30

See Jane Score (Chinooks Hockey Team, #2)

Rachel Gibson | 4.30

Breaking Away (Assassins, #6)

Toni Ale | 4.30

Forever Pucked (Pucked, #4)

Helena Huntin | 4.30

Bobby Orr | 4.29

Room for You (Cranberry Inn, #1)

Beth Eheman | 4.27

Pipe Dreams (Brooklyn Bruisers, #3)

Sarina Bowe | 4.27

Simply Irresistible (Chinooks Hockey Team, #1)

Rachel Gibson | 4.26

The Year We Hid Away (The Ivy Years, #2)

Sarina Bowe | 4.25

Empty Net (Scoring Chances, #4)

Avon Gal | 4.23

Gordie Howe | 4.23

Pucked Love (Pucked, #6)

Helena Hunting | 4.23

Power Play (Scoring Chances, #3)

AvonGal | 4.21

Check, Please! Book 1

Ngozi Ukazu | 4.21

Us Against You (Beartown, #2)

Fredrik Backman | 4.21

The Play (Briar U, #3)

Elle Kenned | 4.21

Clipped by Love (Bellevue Bullies, #2)

Toni Ale | 4.19

Lucas (Cold Fury Hockey, #8)

Sawyer Bennet | 4.19

Rushing the Goal (Assassins, #11)

Off Sides (Off, #1)

Jim Harriso | 4.18

Falling for the Backup (Assassins, #4)

Toni Ale | 4.17

Any Man of Mine (Chinooks Hockey Team, #6)

Rachel Gibson | 4.17

Pucked Under (Pucked, #4.5)

Helena Hunting and Jessica Royer Ocke | 4.17

Van (Cold Fury Hockey, #9)

Sawyer Bennet | 4.17

Room for More (Cranberry Inn, #2)

Beth Eheman | 4.16

Overnight Sensation (Brooklyn, #2)

Sarina Bowe | 4.16

Carson Ellis | 4.14

Hot as Puck (Bad Motherpuckers, #1)

Lili Valent | 4.14

Overtime (Assassins, #10)

Toni Ale | 4.13

Bound (Fire on Ice, #1)

Brenda Rother | 4.13

Reed (Cold Fury Hockey, #10)

Sawyer Bennet | 4.13

A Lie for a Lie (All In, #1)

Helena Huntin | 4.13

Deke (Fake Boyfriend, #3)

Eden Finley, Alexander Cendese, et al | 4.13

Puck Me Secretly (Vancouver Wolves Hockey, #1)

Odette Ston | 4.12

Save of the Game (Scoring Chances, #2)

Avon Gale | 4.12

Getting Lucky Number Seven (Taking Shots, #1)

Cindi Madse | 4.12

Laces and Lace (Assassins, #7)

Toni Ale | 4.12

Bishop (Arizona Vengeance, #1)

Sawyer Bennet | 4.12

Stories of the Game

Wayne Gretzky | 4.11

On the Surface (In the Zone, #1)

Kate Willoughb | 4.11

Nothing But Trouble (Chinooks Hockey Team, #5)

Rachel Gibson | 4.10

Coach's Challenge (Scoring Chances, #5)

Avon Gal | 4.10

Body Check (New York Blades, #1)

Deirdre Martin | 4.10

Melting the Ice (Play by Play, #7)

Jaci Burto | 4.10

Everything’s coming together for budding fashion designer Carolina Preston. Only months away from having her own line, she could use some publicity. That’s when her brother suggests his best friend as a model - hockey player Drew Hogan.

Carolina and Drew already have a history - a hot one, back in college. Unforgettable for Carolina, but for Drew, just another slap shot. This time, though, it’s different. His perfect body would be for professional use only. This time, she could use him.

Drew is all for it. He’s looking forward to the exposure. Plus, it would...

Drew is all for it. He’s looking forward to the exposure. Plus, it would give him a chance to prove to Carolina that he’s changed. If only he could thaw her emotions, convince her to let down her guard and let him in just one more time...

On the Fly (Portland Storm, #2)

Catherine Gayl | 4.09

The Life and Death of Derek Boogaard

John Branch | 4.09

Odette Stone | 4.09

Bountiful (True North, #4; Brooklyn Bruisers, #4.5)

Sarina Bowe | 4.08

Playing With Fire

Theo Fleury | 4.08

A Favor for a Favor (All In, #2)

Kevin Zadai, Keith Ellis, et al. | 4.08

Off the Ice (Hat Trick, #1)

Avon Gale and Piper Vaugh | 4.07

The Down Goes Brown History of the NHL

The World's Most Beautiful Sport, the World's Most Ridiculous League

Sean McIndoe | 4.06

The Rebel League

The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association

Ed Willes | 4.05

Room for Just a Little Bit More (Cranberry Inn, #2.5)

Beth Eheman | 4.05

Full Measures (Flight & Glory, #1)

Rebecca Yarro | 4.03

Grinder (Seattle Sharks, #1)

Samantha Whiske | 4.03

Irresistible You (Chicago Rebels, #1)

Kate Meade | 4.03

Crashing the Net (Crashing, #1)

Mary Turco | 4.03

True Love and Other Disasters (Chinooks Hockey Team, #4)

Rachel Gibson | 4.03

Epic (Him, #2.5)

Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy | 4.03

The Walking Dead, Compendium 4

Robert Kirkman | 4.02

Major Misconduct (Aces Hockey, #1)

Kelly Jamieso | 4.00

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65+ Best Hockey Books (2021 list)

Last updated on March 30, 2021

Want to learn more about the history of hockey? Or be inspired by the stories of great players? Or discover techniques to improve your game? Check out my list of the best hockey books for you to read and do just that.

Back to all ice hockey articles

This article may contain affiliate Links (info on the  Disclosure page ). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.

Best Hockey Books - Summary

This page contains a lot of suggestions about wonderful books to read about ice hockey. However, if you want a summary with my top picks in each category, here it is:

Best ice hockey overview books - great gift ideas

Let's start with some of the best overview books about hockey to offer as a gift to hockey players or hockey fans alike. They cover:

• The best moments of the sport
• Interesting facts and stories
• All the best players of several generations
• Hockey trivia 

But if you are looking for more inspiration books, head to the next section.

100 Years, 100 Moments: A Centennial of NHL Hockey

by Scott Morrison

Veteran hockey journalist gathers in this book many pictures and info about a century of NHL hockey teams and games: the most important moments!

Buy it / Read the reviews

The Great Book of Ice Hockey: Interesting Facts and Sports Stories

by Bill O'Neill and Ryan Black

Collection of interesting facts and stories about the game of ice hockey , including stories before the NHL... Random facts about how the game started, the players, the coaches, the rules...

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Hooked on Hockey

by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Laura Robinson

Lots of inspiring stories about NHL players, hockey personalities, coaches but also fans and everyday players. Why are they hooked on hockey? Deep dives into their lives.

Sports Illustrated Hockey's Greatest

by The Editors of Sports Illustrated

Find out the greatest of all times in hockey: greatest goalie, greatest center... Experts have been polled to compile these 15 lists of top 10.

Hockey Puzzlers: Offbeat Trivia for the Fan and the Fanatic

by Bob Moll

Be unbeatable during hockey parties or trivia nights 100 hockey trivia questions covering seven categories including game history and strange rules.

Fabric of the Game: The Stories Behind the NHL's Names, Logos, and Uniforms

by Chris Creamer, Todd Radom and Lanny McDonald

Looking for something different? Check out this book that covers the origins of the NHL team names as well as their logos and uniforms.  You love wearing the logo of your favorite team? Now, you will know why.

Books about Hockey History & Team/Game stories

In this section, I am listing the best books to learn about the hockey history and its greatest moments, especially "the Miracle on ice" during the 1980 Olympics but also many other lesser known but still fascinating stories.

The Boys of Winter: The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team

by Wayne Coffey

The true story of the 1980's US Hockey Olympic team and what Sports Illustrated called 'the greatest moment in sports history'. All you should know about the fairy-tale like story called "The Miracle on Ice", when amateurs took on the Russian team.

Miracle in Lake Placid: The Greatest Hockey Story Ever Told

by John Gilbert

The impact of that same story of "The miracle on ice" and how it impacted the sport.

99: Stories of the Game

by Wayne Gretzky and Kristie McLellan Day

Stories about "The Great one" from his own perspective, from his eyes: the people who inspired him, the famous moments in hockey history, his teammates...

The Original Six

by Lew Freedman

The NHL started in 1917 with the 6 "original teams": the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings. This is the story of how the NHL started and evolved.

Everyday Hockey Heroes: Inspiring Stories On and Off the Ice

by Bob McKenzie

The stories that make the greatest game in Canada: the NHL players, the everyday fans and coaches, the fans... Stories from on and off the ice.

Beauties: Hockey's Greatest Untold Stories

by James Duthie

57 stories... those that players tell each other: beautiful, crazy, funny... the tales of stars, coaches, referees, broadcasters, moms and dads

Hockey Strong: Stories of Sacrifice from Inside the NHL

by Todd Smith

Hockey is not an easy game. This is a collection of stories (with pictures) relating the dedication of hockey players and how they overcome injuries and difficulties to plan the game they love.

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

by Craig Custance

Learn from the coaches. Interviews with some of the top hockey coaches to collect and confront their thoughts on leadership, game plans, critical moments...

Black Ice: The Lost History of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes, 1895-1925

by George and Darril Fosty

The story of the complex sport organization that was the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes in Canada. Comprised of the sons and grandsons of runaway American slaves, they redefined the sport of hockey and participated in changing it into the fast game it is today.

On the Edge: Women Making Hockey History

by Elizabeth Etue and Megan Williams

The story of how women entered the sport, and despite popularity, still face intolerance. Portraits of the great women making history.

Kooks and Degenerates on Ice: Bobby Orr, the Big Bad Bruins, and the Stanley Cup Championship That Transformed Hockey

by Thomas J. Whalen

All the memorable moments from the 1969-70 championship season when the Bruins became the talk of the sports because of how they intimidated their opponents and took the NHL by surprise.

Chill Factor: How a Minor-League Hockey Team Changed a City Forever

by David Paitson and Craig Merz

How a minor-league hockey team, the Columbus chill, became the talk of the city and allowed Columbus to get its own NHL franchise.

Hockey Players' Biographies (and coaches, personalities)

There is nothing more inspiring than a biography. Dive deep into the lives of some of the greatest hockey players in the history of the games. How did they reach their goals? How did they live the stress, the successes and the hardship? How was it for the first black NHL hockey players?

Orr: My Story

by Bobby Orr

Autobiography of Bobby Orr - considered one of the greatest defensemen in hockey history.

Cujo: The Untold Story of My Life On and Off the Ice

by Kristie McLellan Day and Curtis Joseph

Autobiography of Curtis Joseph. How he started late and still had a great 18-season career.

Most Valuable: How Sidney Crosby Became the Best Player in Hockey's Greatest Era and Changed the Game Forever

by Gary Joyce

How Sidney Crosby changed the game of hockey and how the league was re-made in his image.

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

by Ken Dryden

About hockey head injuries and the death of Steve Montador, diagnosed with CTE.

Willie: The Game-Changing Story of the NHL's First Black Player

by Willie O'Ree and Michael McKinley

A memoir about the life of Willie O'Ree and his career, first in the minors and then in the NHL, the first black player in the league's history (Canada)

Black Ice: The Val James Story

by Valmor James and John Gallagher

We saw above, the first black player in NHL history. Valmor James was the first American black player in the league. This is his story.

J.R.: My Life as the Most Outspoken, Fearless, and Hard-Hitting Man in Hockey

by Jeremy Roenick and Kevin Allen

Autobiography of Jeremy Roenick. HIs youth and how he started in the Chicago Blackhawks, and later for 4 more franchises. He has racked up 513 goals in his career.

My Last Fight: The True Story of a Hockey Rock Star

by Darren McCarty

Autobiography of Darren McCarty. His time on the ice as a Detroit Red Wings player and his difficulties off the ice with addiction, finance and women.

Scotty: A Hockey Life Like No Other

Biography of Scotty Bowman, considered one of the greatest coaches in hockey history and in all the sports. He won more games and more Stanley Cups than anyone else. 

Burke's Law: A Life in Hockey

by Brian Burke and Stephen Brunt

Burke has lived and breathed hockey his whole life as a player, an agent, a league executive, a scout, an Olympic GM and a media analyst. These are his views on the sport.

Eddie Olczyk: Beating the Odds in Hockey and in Life

by Eddie Olczyk and Perry Lefko

Autobiography. The story of his 16-year career in hockey and how he got there.

Off Mike: How a Kid from Basketball-Crazy Indiana Became America's NHL Voice

by Mike Emrick and Kevin Allen

A memoir by broadcast legend Mike Emrick, known as the voice of hockey in America.

Undrafted: Hockey, Family, and What It Takes to Be a Pro

by Nick Kypreos and Perry Lefko

Autobiography. About his youth, his life, his hockey career and how he transitioned to being a hockey analyst after his concussion.

Books for fans of Hockey Teams

Now, hockey stories in general are great. But you may want to learn more about your favorite hockey team. So many things to learn... Here are some of the great collections to become even more a fan!

Collection - The Big 50

The best 50 stories about your favorite hockey teams.

The Detroit Red Wings book Buy it / Read reviews

The New York Rangers book Buy it / Read reviews

The Chicago Blackhawks book Buy it / Read reviews

Collection - The Tales from the Locker Room

Even more stories about your favorite teams.

The Boston Bruins book Buy it / Read reviews

The Montreal Canadiens Book Buy it / Read reviews

Collection - If these walls could talk

Some of the teams covered are listed below - find out more teams on this page (after the other sports)

The Boston Bruins stories Buy it / Read reviews

The San Jose Sharks stories Buy it / Read reviews

The Calgary Flames stories Buy it / Read reviews

The Philadelphia Flyers stories Buy it / Read reviews

Collection - 100 things fans should know

Some of the teams covered are listed below - find out more teams on this page  

The Maple Leafs trivia Buy it / Read reviews

The Vancouver Canucks book Buy it / Read reviews

The Pittsburgh Penguins book Buy it / Read reviews

The Saint Louis Blues book Buy it / Read reviews

T oronto and the Maple Leafs: A City and Its Team

by Lance Hornby

The relationship between the city of Toronto, its inhabitants and its most beloved sports team.

The Montreal Canadiens: 100 Years of Glory

by D'Arcy Jenish

All you want to know about the Montreal Canadiens.

Books about Hockey's Rules, practice and techniques

All the best hockey player and goalie books that help you work on your:

• technical skills
• mental strength
• physical strength

Hockey Plays and Strategies

by Mike Johnston and Ryan Walter

Introduction to a variety of tactics to improve your game.

The Hockey Drill Book

by Dave Chambers

500 drills for all aspects of the game

Hockey Anatomy

by Michael Terry and Paul Goodman

All you need to know about increasing muscular strength and optimizing efficiency of every movement in order to improve your on-ice performance.

Hockey Tough

by Saul L. Miller

The best hockey players are mentally tough; This is a book to help you strengthen your mental: control your emotions, stay focus, play aggressively but not uncontrollably...

Physical Preparation for Ice Hockey

by Anthony Donskov

Explanations and exercises to develop your physical strength especially for hockey playing.

Hockey Goaltending

by Eli Wilson and Brian van Vliet

The guide with techniques, practice exercises, physical conditioning to stopping more pucks.

The Power Within: Discovering the Path to Elite Goaltending

by Mike Valley and Justin Goldman

The mental game for goaltenders.

Take Your Eye Off the Puck: How to Watch Hockey By Knowing Where to Look

by Greg Wyshynshi

For fans to better understand the games they are watching.

Hockey novels

Beartown: A Novel

by Fredrik Backman

The story or a town and the game. After an intense game, a violent act eruptq and a young girl is traumatized.

And many many  many hockey romance novels ... but it is not really the objective of this page!

Best hockey books for kids

My complete list of the best hockey books for kids can be found in this other article . But here are already a few ideas, which can be great hockey gifts for kids .

For toddlers

Let's play hockey (chunky lift-a-flap book) .

by Ginger Swift and Cottage Door Press

A great introduction to Hockey for babies and toddlers: practice words from the world of hockey, count the number of players, watch the fan cheering. This lift-a-flap book is a great first hockey book.

Buy it / Read reviews

For 3 - 7 years old

The day my fart followed me to hockey.

by Ben Jackson and Sam Lawrence

This book is part of the series of Timmy and his best friend the Fart. In this story, they play hockey together, when Timmy attends the hockey tryouts.

Buy it / read reviews

For 6 - 9 years old

There are no figure eights in hockey.

by Chris Kreie

Josh is a champion figure skater who is looking for a new challenge. He decides to try hockey since he is already a good skater. But he soon discovers that there is more than skating to playing hockey. No more figure eights.

For 8 - 12 years old

Hockey meltdown.

byJake Maddox

Dylan and his team head into the Midwinter Meltdown Tournament ready to win, but a pre-season injury takes him out of the game. Can he still be part of the team when stuck on the bench?

With girl heroin

Ice rink rookie.

by Jake Maddox

Pilar was born without part of her right foot. But she does not let it stop her from enjoying ice-skating. And she joins the hockey team. Can Pilar prove to herself and her teammates that she belongs?

Breaking the Ice: The True Story of the First Woman to Play in the National Hockey League

by Angie Bullaro

The inspiring true story of Manon Rhéaume, the first and only woman to play a game in the NHL.

Hockey coloring books

Want to have fun and mediate while thinking about hockey. Check out the following coloring books.

Hockey notebooks and journals

And now it is time for you to do some writing of your own. Below are some classic notebooks with great hockey covers to personalize as well as training journals to write down your season's stories.

Notebooks to personalize

See my complete collection of hockey notebooks to personalize.

Hockey training journals

Buy my training journal

You might also be interested in:

How to clean hockey equipment (at home)

15 ice hockey themed wedding ideas

14 best Hockey Shoulder Pads (in 2022)

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The Hockey Fanatics’ Definitive List of Hockey Books

25 Hockey Books All Hockey Fans Should Read

Being a self-proclaimed Hockey Fanatic means that you eat, sleep and breath hockey. When I started the Hockey Fanatic site back in 2011 , I wanted to share all of the great experiences that come along with being a hockey fan. I wanted to create a site for the true hockey fan where they could go to find fun hockey lists, notable hockey stats and entertaining hockey anecdotes. It’s pretty been a one-man show. I am the author, I’m the editor, I’m the hockey fan who uses the Hockey Fanatic as a great hockey resource.

My inspiration is a simple one. I am passionate about hockey. No, I never got to play at the high level that I probably should have, but I’ve been involved in so many facets of the game. I’ve been an official, I’ve been a players, I’ve coached a little, I’ve been a spectator and my most important job I’m a hockey parent.

My collection of hockey books is impressive to say the least.  I believe I have every book written about the Edmonton Oilers (save one). I enjoy the tails that former NHL players, coaches and executives tell. I especially enjoy the writings of Ken Dryden who has authored some of the greatest hockey books to have ever been published. Mr. Dryden even inspired me to write my own hockey book: Burning the Midnight Oil: The Story of a Lifelong Oilers Fan .

With the holiday season coming up, you might be in the market for a Christmas gift for that special hockey fan in your life. May I recommend a good hockey book?  There are so man, but to help you decide on which hockey book to consider I present to you The Hockey Fanatics Definitive list of 25 hockey books that all hockey fans should read.

Within our list of the top twenty-five hockey books that all hockey fans should read are books for the past 50 years. There are too many to list here but there have been some great books that have come out over the past decade that could have easily made this list as well.

Honorable Mention : Hockey Card Stories: True Tales from Your Favourite Players – Ken Reid – This is a fun book.  Amazon describes the book as “Hockey Card Stories reveals what was really going on in your favourite old hockey cards through the eyes of the players depicted on them. Some of the cards are definitely worth a few bucks, some a few cents ― but every story told here is priceless. Sportsnet’s Ken Reid presents the cards you loved and the airbrushed monstrosities that made you howl, the cards that have been packed away in boxes forever, and others you can’t believe ever existed.”

#25: The Hockey Sweater – Authored by Roch Carrier (1979) . An all-time classic and iconic piece of Canadian literature. Amazon’s recap of the classic short story: In the days of Roch’s childhood, winters in the village of Ste. Justine were long. Life centered around school, church, and the hockey rink, and every boy’s hero was Montreal Canadiens hockey legend Maurice Richard. Everyone wore Richard’s number 9. They laced their skates like Richard. They even wore their hair like Richard. When Roch outgrows his cherished Canadiens sweater, his mother writes away for a new one. Much to Roch’s horror, he is sent the blue and white sweater of the rival Toronto Maple Leafs, dreaded and hated foes to his beloved team. How can Roch face the other kids at the rink?

#24. The Boys of Winter: The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team – Wayne Coffey – In 1980, the United States Olympic hockey team pulled off one of the greatest upsets in sports history, winning the first medal round match against the Soviet Union. Lead by the visionary coaching of Herb Brooks, whose motivational techniques have since been immortalized in the film Miracle, the 1980 US Olympic Hockey team pulled out the Miracle on Ice. If you’re a fan of Team USA you’ll love this read.

#23. Play Better Hockey: The Essential Skills for Player Development – Ron Davidson – for the hockey player in your life, “Play Better Hockey: The Essential Skills for Player Development” (second edition) of Ron Davidson’s best-selling volume has been retooled with even more individual skill advancements for the modern player. From fundamentals to high-level skills, Play Better Hockey gives players the tools they need to become the next superstars of the NHL by focusing on the development of individual hockey skills and by promoting a mastery of body positioning, skating and stick work.

#22: The Hammer: Confessions of a Hockey Enforcer – Dave Schultz – Published in 1981, The Hammer depicts the career of former Broad Street bully Dave Schultz. The Hockey Fanatic listed Dave Schultz as the second best NHL fighter of all-time . Schultz still holds the NHL record for most penalty minutes in a single season, at 472. Learn more about what it was like being an NHL tough guy during the heyday of 1970’s NHL hockey.

#21. Tretiak: The Legend – Vladislav Tretiak – Published in 1987, Tretiak: The Legend provides an enlightening look into the hockey career of one of the greatest goaltenders the world has ever seen. It provides the story of Vladik Tretiak’s personal life and his relationships with his coaches, teammates and rivals. Relive the Canada / Russia hockey battles from the lens of a Soviet player. If you are a fan of the Russia/Canadian hockey rivalry (and Cold War politics) you should like this book.

#20. A Great Game: The Forgotten Leafs & The Rise of Professional Hockey – Stephen J. Harper – Published in 2013, relive the history of hockey’s first decades and the early star players of the game. A Great Game shows how much about hockey has stayed the same with string hard-nosed play, fervent hockey fan hometown loyalties, owner-player contract disputes, partisan news coverage, and how big money were issues from the get-go. Hockey is a great game and learning about some of the early history shows how the game has grown but maintained critical aspects to be the game we all love to play and watch.

#19. Unbreakable: 50 Goals in 39 Games: Wayne Gretzky and the Story of Hockey’s Greatest Record –Mike Brophy and Todd Denault – there are a few books out there about Wayne Gretzky.  I included this one because this is simply one amazing record that may never be broken.  This book focuses on the 1981-1982 season in which he only needed thirty-nine games to score fifty goals. The fun of this book is that you get to be on the ice during each one of these games, as Gretzky describes them. I have been waiting to read this book and cannot wait to dive in. Originally published in 2016.

#18. Crossroads: My Story of Tragedy and resilience as a Humboldt Bronco – Kaleb Dahlgren – On April 6, 2018, the Humboldt Broncos were going to a playoff game when a semi-truck struck their bus in which the collision resulted in sixteen deaths and thirteen injuries. Among the victims was Kaleb Dahlgren, who suffered a fractured skull and dislocated shoulder. Dahlgren tells his story of resilience in the face of the Broncos bus tragedy. He describes his journey from being hospitalized and in critical condition to making a full recovery and eventually returning to play for the Broncos. This is his story…

#17. Hockey Moms: The Heart of the Game – Theresa Bailey / Terry Marcotte – In the Hockey universe we can argue that there is no one more important than the Hockey Mom.  Hockey moms: The Heart of the Game is a great collection of stories and celebration of the unsung heroes behind the game, including first-hand stories from moms of the NHL’s biggest stars. Hockey Moms laces together the stories of NHL hockey moms like Kelly McDavid and Ema Matthews with those of mothers who never expected their children to set foot on the ice.

#16. Over the Boards: Lessons from the Ice – Hayley Wickenheiser.  The greatest women’s hockey player of all time, Hayley Wickenheiser shares the lessons that won her four Olympic gold medals, and hard-earned wisdom.  Published in 2021, Hayley shares the hard-won lessons she learned on and off the ice that helped her not only have a record-breaking hockey career but craft a life filled with joy, growth, and challenges.

#15. Cujo: The Untold Story of My Life On and Off the Ice – Cutis Joseph / Kirstie McLellan Day – Published in 2019, this is a book that a number of people have recommended to me over the past couple of years.  A 31 best seller, Amazon describes this book as… “in this revealing memoir, Joseph talks about his highly unusual upbringing and what led him to put on his first pair of skates. Written by Kirstie McLellan Day, the world’s top writer of hockey books, this book surprises and entertains, and shares on- and off-the-ice tales no fan has heard before: the untold story behind the legend.”

#14. Burke’s Law: A Life in Hockey – Bryan Burke / Stephen Brunt. Published in 2020, Burke’s Law is an entertaining journey through the life of an NHL executive and one of the biggest hockey personalities. Some great stories of his days as an NHL GM, junior player and advocate of the game. Want to learn how he pulled off the trade at the draft to land both Henrik and Daniel Sedin?  It’s in there too.  Great read.

#13. Playing with Fire – Theoren Fleury -Published in 2009 and co-written with author Kirstie McLellan Day, Theoren Fleury documents how he became a star player in junior and in the NHL, Stanley Cup champion and an Olympic gold medalist despite battling drug and alcohol addictions that ultimately ended his NHL career. A best seller, Playing with Fire sold over 80,000 copies within six weeks of its release.

#12. A Helluva Life in Hockey – Brian McFarlane – Brian McFarlane is one of the great storytellers of the game of hockey.  Published in 1989, A Helluva Life in Hockey is a captivating memoir from Canada’s foremost hockey historian and a beloved NHL commentator. McFarlane has written 96 (with one in the works) books on hockey, selling over 1.3 million books.

#11. Orr: My Story – Bobby Orr – there are so many great hockey memoirs out there (as you can see on our list). Published in 2014m Bobby Orr’s “Orr My Story” is a great look into one of the games and sports most loved athletes.  Many will still describe Bobby Orr as the greatest hockey player to play the game. As Chapters-Indigo describes the book: “In the end, this is not just a book about hockey. The most meaningful biographies and memoirs rise above the careers out of which they grew. Bobby Orr’s life goes far deeper than Stanley Cup rings, trophies and recognitions. His story is not only about the game, but also the age in which it was played. It’s the story of a small-town kid who came to define its highs and lows, and inevitably it is a story of the lessons he learned along the way.”

#10. Mr. Hockey: My Story – Gordie Howe – Published in 2013, Mr. Hockey: My Story is a great read about the playing career of arguably the NHL’s best all-around player Gordie Howe. Mr. Hockey shares some insights into how different the game was in the 40’s and 50s and when he was young regarding player contracts, players getting paid peanuts, and playing through horrible travel conditions. From the fields of Saskatchewan to the ice of Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Gordie Howe is Mr. Hockey.

#9. Call Me Indian: From the Trauma of Residential School to Becoming the N.H.L.’s First Treaty Indigenous Player – Fred Saskamoose – Published in 2021, an amazing story of how Sasakamoose was taken from his home and sent to a residential school but went on to play in the NHL and played against some of the greatest players in the history of the league. Learn about how Fred Saskamoose became the first Indigenous player to make the National Hockey League.

#8. The Russian Five: A Story of Espionage, Defection, Bribery, and Courage – Keith Gave. Published in 2018, The Russian Five is a great account of how the 1990’s Detroit Red Wings became the dominant powerhouse in the NHL largely because of the Russian Five.  They is a great documentary on this as well, but the book is an amazing read of how the Detroit Red Wings went from outhouse in the eighties to penthouse in the nineties.  This is the story of espionage, defection, and bribery that brought five Russian players to the Detroit Red Wings dating back to the early eighties.

#7. 99: Stories of the Game – Wayne Gretzky with Kirstie McLellan Day – Published in 2016, The Great One” shares some of his favourite stories as he recalls memories of his legendary career with an inside look at the sport of professional hockey, and the heroes and stories that inspired him.

#6. Beauties: Hockey’s Greatest Untold Stories – James Duthie – Published in 2021, Duthie has compiled a number of great stories some fun some funny. The Roberto Luongo foreward is worth the price of this book alone.

#5. The Rebel League: The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association – Ed Willes.  From Bobby Hull’ s astonishing million-dollar signing to how the Edmonton Oilers had to smuggle fugitive forward Frankie Beaton out of their dressing room in an equipment bag, The Rebel League includes a bunch of great anecdotes of the WHA. A very entertaining read. Originally published in 2005, The Rebel League is one of The Hockey Fanatic’s all-time favourite hockey books.

#4. Game Change: The Life and Death of Steve Montador and the Future of Hockey – Ken Dryden – Ken Dryden is a Conn Smythe winning goalie and a best selling author. Published in 2107, Game Change is a powerful examination of hockey’s failure to address the growing issue of head shots and concussions in hockey. Well researched and very convincing, Dryden writes about the life of Steve Montador from his youth and his minor hockey days in Ontario to the end of his NHL career due to multiple head injuries and his untimely death at the age of 35. Dryden looks at the scientific quest to better understand the short and longtime effects of concussions and describes the history of game of hockey to illustrate how players are more vulnerable than ever to these types of head injuries.

#3. Willie: The Game-Changing Story of the N.H.L.’s First Black Player – Published in 2020, I must say that this is one of my favourite hockey books that I have ever read. Written by Willie O’Ree and Michael McKinley, the book details how O’Ree, not unlike Jackie Robinson in baseball became the for African-Canadian to play in the National Hockey League. Simply put, Willie O’Ree is an amazing man with courage, skill, ands smarts to excel at the game of hockey. Willie O’Ree was inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame in 2018 and was a key component in the creation of the NHL Diversity program.

#2. The Game – Ken Dryden – Published in 1983, The Game by Ken Dryden is one of the greatest books written of all time. Much of the book is about Dryden’s Canadiens teammates, life on the road, and details of the life of a professional hockey player. It is a behind-the-scenes look at the Montreal Canadiens 1978-79 team that would go on to win the Stanley Cup. Gain insights about some of the games all-time great players from one of the players themselves. Ken Dryden was not like other pro hockey players, it is an amazing view of the game and the locker room from one who was within the inner sanctum. Sports Illustrated has list “The Game” as one of the greatest sports books of all time.

#1.  The Game of Our Lives – Peter Gzowski – released in 1981, this was the first real hockey book I remember reading. The original cover of the book actually features Wayne Gretzky on it. The book recounts the 1980-81 season Peter Gzowski spent travelling around the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers. What makes this book so much more amazing is that it details the Oilers pre-Stanley Cup championships, describes all of those great Hall-of-Famers as they were just stating their NHL careers. You don’t have to be an Edmonton Oilers fan to appreciate this but it you are an Oilers fan you will love this book!

There you have it, The Hockey Fanatic’s Definitive list of hockey books that all hockey fans should read. Of course, there are many more hockey books that are amazing reads, but this list covers a diverse perspective of the game. Heck did you know there is even a hockey romance book category of hockey books? What’s the best hockey book ever? Well, that’s for you to decide. We’re hoping our list will whet your appetite to pick up a good hockey book and learn about some of the game’s greatest events and players that have played, coached, parented or officiated the game.

5 Great Hockey Books for Kids

You may have noticed that we included one children’s hockey book on our list. There are many great hockey books for children, so we will feature some of the best hockey books for children in an upcoming post, but for now here’s five great hockey books for kids.

#5. I Am a Zamboni Machine – Kevin Viala (2014) Younger hockey fans will love seeing this big Zamboni machine in action! Featuring simple facts and colourful illustrations, this book follows a Zamboni as it does its job to clear and resurface the rink.

#4. The Moccasin Goalie – Written by William Roy Brownridge (2016). Danny has a disability that prevents him from being able to wear skates, but that doesn’t stop him from playing the sport he loves with his friends, hockey. Only one of his friends gets picked for the town team, but later on Danny has the chance to prove that he could be a good asset to the team.

#3. Goodnight Hockey – Michael Dahl (author) / Christina E Forshay (illustrator) – 2017 . Any fans of the Goodnight Moon children’s book? Goodnight Hockey is the perfect bedtime board book for every hockey fan! The rhyming text, exciting illustrations, and classic sport combination are a hat-trick of fun for the whole family.

#2. Just One Goal – Robert Munsch (author) Michael Martchenko (illustrator) – 2008 . Ciara is tired of hauling her hockey gear across town to play on the rink. It makes no sense―there is a perfectly good frozen river in her own backyard! But her dad says it’s too jagged, and her mom says it’s too bumpy, and her older sisters don’t see why she can’t keep going all the way across town, just like they did. But Ciara won’t let anybody stop her. And with a little help from the neighbourhood, she knows that her team, the River Rink Rats, will finally win a game on their own brand new rink.

#1. The Hockey Sweater – Authored by Roch Carrier (1979) . An all-time classic an iconic piece of Canadian literature. Amazon’s recap of the classic short story: In the days of Roch’s childhood, winters in the village of Ste. Justine were long. Life centered around school, church, and the hockey rink, and every boy’s hero was Montreal Canadiens hockey legend Maurice Richard. Everyone wore Richard’s number 9. They laced their skates like Richard. They even wore their hair like Richard. When Roch outgrows his cherished Canadiens sweater, his mother writes away for a new one. Much to Roch’s horror, he is sent the blue and white sweater of the rival Toronto Maple Leafs, dreaded and hated foes to his beloved team. How can Roch face the other kids at the rink?

Other hockey book lists that you might be interested in:

• Celebrate the NHL Centennial with the top 100 hockey books: https://www.booknetcanada.ca/blog/2018/1/22/celebrate-the-nhl-centennial-with-the-top-100-hockey-books
• 26 awesome hockey books (Today’s Parent) https://www.todaysparent.com/family/books/21-awesome-hockey-books/
• 25 Must Read Books about Hockey and the NHL: https://www.onmybooklist.com/hockey-books.html
• 30 in 30: Notable Hockey Books https://sihrhockey.org/2020/pubs/30_in_30.cfm
• 17 Best Hockey Biography Books of All Time (Editor’s Note: We do not necessarily agree with the books featured on this list, but there are still some fine choices). https://bookauthority.org/books/best-hockey-biography-books

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