Can anyone recommend some good hockey-related books ?

[Berger_4_]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

Midnight Hockey by Bill Gaston is a pretty good read. Bill Gaston played junior hockey, and some international hockey in France and Italy. It's basically about his experiences in Canadian men's beer league hockey though, with some of his junior and Euro experiences included. It's a pretty humourous and entertaining book that does a good job of relating the shenanigan's that go on in beer league hockey. Kind of a slice of Canadiana. He's a university prof and has published a few of books, so it's pretty well written.

I also enjoyed The Power Of Two: Carl Brewer's Battle with Hockey's Power Brokers. It's about Brewer's long battle to bring Alan Eagleson to justice. It has some interesting insights into the business side of hockey during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Oh god was Gaston's book ever funny. I actually laughed out loud in some parts. It was one of the best books I've ever read.

Dave Bidini's are really good as well. The one that's called The Morningstars (? Maybe, I can't remember exactly) was really good.

The 100 arguments one that McCown did was decent.

I'd recommend any book about the history of the Stanley Cup. You get to read about some crazy stuff that happened to it...being turned into a flowerpot, left on the side of the road, punted into the Rideau Canal...really adds to the awesomeness of it.

I'll give another vote for Gross Misconduct.

Heaven and Hell in the NHL (the story of Punch Imlach) was good.

Red's Story is really interesting. It's about Red Storey, one of the greatest ref's ever, and his life in hockey

Dave Semenko's Looking Out For Number One is decent, as is The Rink by Chris Cuthbert and Scott Russell.

Money Players by Dohbiggen is okay...a little dry though.

Now I've got a special place in my heart for two other books, both of them by Dick Beddoes. The first one is called Pal Hal, and it's about Harold Ballard. It's an alright read. The second one is much more entertaining though. It's called Greatest Hockey Stories, and it's so great that my grandpa even gets a shoutout in it!

[missdpuck]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

Craig MacTavish? Or was it Kevin Lowe.

Hmmm..I don't want to say at the moment but I can describe him as a Flaming Duck a l' (Florida) orange. That's all I'll say. Oh and kipperiggy thanks for "The Hockey Sweater"..lots of inspiration for short stories at the BAC too!!

[Dion]

Originally Posted by pope04

There's a great book that came out just after the '72 Summit Series - a pictorial, really - 28 Days in September. The author's name escapes me.

I have a copy of that book. I got it signed by Vladislav Tretiak in the late 80's. Great photographs taken by Brian Pickell plus a brief summary of each game. Was written by John Macfarlane and published by Hockey Canada and Prosport Productions limited.

There was also another great book about the Summit Series called "Face Off Of The Century" - written by Gilles Terroux. Gave a more detail description of the eight game series.

[Flamesguy_SJ]

Originally Posted by Dion

There was also another great book about the Summit Series called "Face Off Of The Century" - written by Gilles Terroux. Gave a more detail description of the eight game series.

I just recently came into possession of a copy of this when my grandfather passed away and we were going through some of his bookshelves. I've flipped through it a few times; pretty detailed and informative for people who didn't live through the Summit Series.

[chris_yk]

Just finished reading Future Greats and Heartbreaks by Gare Joyce, it's a great read especially for anyone really interested in prospects junior hockey or the draft.

[604flames]

^^ I was reading this in Munro's when I went to Victoria over the weekend, mostly glossed over except the Swift Current section (poor Ian White? naah).

The Rebel League was a really good read, I like Ed Willes as a writer too.

I'm reading Walking With Legends right now, by Ralph Mellanby, and really enjoying it. I'm hoping (fingers crossed) one day to work w/ HNIC and the stories about all the legendary commentators are terrific.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by 604flames

^^ I was reading this in Munro's when I went to Victoria over the weekend, mostly glossed over except the Swift Current section (poor Ian White? naah).

The Rebel League was a really good read, I like Ed Willes as a writer too.

I'm reading Walking With Legends right now, by Ralph Mellanby, and really enjoying it. I'm hoping (fingers crossed) one day to work w/ HNIC and the stories about all the legendary commentators are terrific.

The Rebel League was great. The stories told in that book were hilarious!

Got a hoot out the story where Eric Biship is in Indianapolis doing a game for the Calgary Cowboys. Fans kept threatining to pull the cord and end his broadcast. One did and the expletives followed. Later he gets a call from the radio station to hear that mic box had a backup batery and listeners back in Calgary got to hear his expletivesthat was directed at those fans.

[Resolute 14]

I've never really cared for biographies, but there are a few books that I read recently that were pretty good:

When the Lights Went Out by Gare Joyce is pretty good. A great read on the Punch-up in Piestany (hint: Theo Fleury's antics were all over that book)

+1 to The Rebel League.

The Battle of Alberta: 100 years of Hockey's Greatest Rivalry by Steven Sandor was also rather interesting, albeit a little tilted towards Edmonton.

Stay away from anything by Dowbiggin.

[missdpuck]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I've never really cared for biographies, but there are a few books that I read recently that were pretty good:

When the Lights Went Out by Gare Joyce is pretty good. A great read on the Punch-up in Piestany (hint: Theo Fleury's antics were all over that book)

+1 to The Rebel League.

The Battle of Alberta: 100 years of Hockey's Greatest Rivalry by Steven Sandor was also rather interesting, albeit a little tilted towards Edmonton.

Stay away from anything by Dowbiggin.

Fleury in Slovakia...sounds good already.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I've never really cared for biographies, but there are a few books that I read recently that were pretty good:

When the Lights Went Out by Gare Joyce is pretty good. A great read on the Punch-up in Piestany (hint: Theo Fleury's antics were all over that book)

+1 to The Rebel League.

The Battle of Alberta: 100 years of Hockey's Greatest Rivalry by Steven Sandor was also rather interesting, albeit a little tilted towards Edmonton.

Stay away from anything by Dowbiggin.

What not a fan of PA dogmatics?

[Montana Moe]

Has anybody read "Jonesy: Put Your Head Down And Skate. The Improbable NHL Career of Keith Jones." by John Buccigross?
He's an ESPN anchor and one of the few that has any idea what he is talking about when it comes to hockey. He writes a weekly column for ESPN.com and folks are always commenting about enjoying the book.

Just looking for some first hand opinions.

[missdpuck]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

Has anybody read "Jonesy: Put Your Head Down And Skate. The Improbable NHL Career of Keith Jones." by John Buccigross?
He's an ESPN anchor and one of the few that has any idea what he is talking about when it comes to hockey. He writes a weekly column for ESPN.com and folks are always commenting about enjoying the book.

Just looking for some first hand opinions.

He is a sharp anchor. I didn't know he had a column or book...appreciate that.

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by missdpuck

He is a sharp anchor. I didn't know he had a column or book...appreciate that.

His column is pretty entertaining, the mailbag is always good for a laugh. He's all over the map talking about new bands, old favorites, kids, etc. all while wrapping it up in a unique take on the sport.

I'm sure someone here thinks he sucks, and that's o.k.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Stay away from anything by Dowbiggin.

Agreed, I found Money Players a tedious and disjointed read.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

Has anybody read "Jonesy: Put Your Head Down And Skate. The Improbable NHL Career of Keith Jones." by John Buccigross?
He's an ESPN anchor and one of the few that has any idea what he is talking about when it comes to hockey. He writes a weekly column for ESPN.com and folks are always commenting about enjoying the book.

Just looking for some first hand opinions.

Good, not great. Jonesy unfortunately just isn't a very interesting player. I do like the writing style. Some decent information in the book. And he actually emailed me directly when I sent him a note about reading it.

[mariners_fever]

Of Ice and Men by Bruce Dowbiggin...

[missdpuck]

Originally Posted by mariners_fever

Of Ice and Men by Bruce Dowbiggin...

[FlamesAllTheWay]

The Third Best Hull by Dennis Hull I found to be pretty funny and enjoyable..

[octothorp]

I don't think it's been mentioned yet: Last Season, by Roy McGregor. Most of the books mentioned are non-fiction, but as far as fiction goes, in my opinion, Last Season is the hockey equivelent of Shoeless Joe (aka Field of Dreams). Brilliant book.

[Mickey76]

I really liked Home Game(even more than The Game which was also excellent but has already been metnioned) by Ken Dryden This is the one that CBC made into a mini series.

From Behind the Red Line was also interesting as it chronicles Todd Hartje's year (1990) of playing hockey in the Soviet Union.