Summer Reading for Hockey Fans

I recently finished off the gathering pile on my nightstand of hockey books that have interested me. It’s a crapshoot when it comes to books about hockey as I’ve stopped reading quite a few that were absolutely terrible. However, the offseason is a long one and there are quite a few interesting hockey reads out there. Here’s a few of my favorites:

Saving Face: The Art and History of the Goalie Mask by Jim McRae, Jim Hynes & Gary Smith – I picked this one up at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto on my last trip to Canada and couldn’t put this one down. I’ve always been a fan of the artistic license taken with goalie masks. I’ll never forget seeing the famous Gary Cheevers’ (who also wrote the forward to the book) mask on a hockey card when I was growing up. This book takes you through the first time a goaltender wore a hockey mask up to today. It’s truly amazing to see the personality of a goaltender come through. I highly recommend this book for the serious hockey enthusiast.

King of Russia: A Year in the Russian Super League by Dave King, Eric Duhatschek – I remember when I heard Eric Duhatschek on XM 204 promoting this book last year. I knew I had to have this book. Former coach of the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets, Dave King became head coach of the Russian Super League’s Metallurg Magnitogorsk the year after the lockout. This book takes you through the back dealings of the Russian hockey system with a touch of hilarity. It’s an almost day by day account of Dave King’s days with the team. It’s a deeply insightful book that give you a take on the Russian hockey fan, the towns and the players. I couldn’t put this one down!

Thunder And Lightning: A No-B.S. Hockey Memoir by Phil Esposito & Peter Golenbock – Folks you’re in for a real treat with this one. Hall of Famer Phil Esposito is not just a great hockey player, he’s one hell of a personality. This takes you through Espo’s famed career as a Blackhawk, Bruin and Ranger, all the way up to his tenure with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He’s not afraid to call out the people who have pissed him off throughout his career and his insight into his firing from the Lightning is laugh out loud. It’s exactly what you’d expect from the guy we listen to on XM everyday. It’s not about the philosophy of hockey, it’s about Phil by Phil.

The Rebel League: The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association by Ed Willes – I’ve always been a fan of the old Jets, Oilers, Whalers and Nordiques which is why I picked this up initially. However this is the story of a league that was put together by two guys who didn’t know much about hockey but managed to leave their imprint on it forever. This book is packed with the “juicy bits” that make this read particularly enjoying. Hear stories about the real Hanson brothers, Gordie Howe playing with his son and the infamous signing of Bobby Hull.

The Boys of Winter: The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team by Wayne Coffee – If you’re a hockey fan, you’ve already seen the movie Miracle but this is the definitive story behind the team that Herb Brooks built. Defeating the Russians to win the gold was no easy feat and this book takes you through the rigors of training, the tough defeats and the building of a family. The 1980 US Olympic team will live forever in the hearts of all Americans. This is a great book for the casual hockey fan as well.

So there’s your assignment. You have all summer to read these and write a full report. What do you think about these books? Do you have a favorite you’d like to share? Leave it in the comments section and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.