Hockey season is finally back! To tide you over between games, we’ve got four new hockey books that together span 100 years of NHL history. From crazy memorable players like Gilles “Gratoony the Loony” Gratton to the unbelievable new talent in Erik Karlsson, there’s something here for every hockey fan, young and old.
Fast Ice: Superstars of the New NHL
by Andrew Podnieks
From the incredible debut of Auston Matthews to the unparalleled speed of Connor McDavid, the NHL is experiencing a rebirth that is based on speed and skill, not size, fighting, or intimidation. Fast Ice: Superstars of the New NHL features profiles of more than 50 of today’s greatest stars.
Dennis Maruk: The Unforgettable Story of Hockey’s Forgotten 60-Goal Man
by Ken Reid with Dennis Maruk
Only 20 men in NHL history have scored 60 or more goals in a single season: Gretzky, Lemieux, and Hull all hit the magical mark. Meet the man who shattered the Washington Capitals record but, after his hockey career ended, found himself fighting for his life.
Gratoony the Loony: The Wild, Unpredictable Life of Gilles Gratton
by Greg Oliver with Gilles Gratton
Gilles Gratton was not a typical pro hockey player. He never really wanted to be an NHL goaltender; he wanted to be a Tibetan monk. In his autobiography, Gratton teams up with author Greg Oliver to tell his wild story: from his early days in Montreal to his time with the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers.
Toronto and the Maple Leafs: A City and Its Team
by Lance Hornby
As they enter their centennial season, the Toronto Maple Leafs retain an intangible grip on more fans than perhaps any pro sports franchise in Canada. Toronto and the Leafs is a book about how the city and the team have shaped and influenced each other.
In addition, here’s our defensive pairing (*cough* Spring ’17 releases *cough*) for good measure:
Father Bauer and the Great Experiment
by Greg Oliver
Father David Bauer changed lives in the classroom, at the pulpit, board rooms, and especially on ice. His hard-headedness created the first true Canadian national hockey teams. His life and times is explored through hundreds of interviews and extensive research.
Black Ice: The Val James Story
by Valmore James and John Gallagher
Now in trade paperback!
In 1982, Val James became the first African-American to play in the NHL. In the face of racial taunts on ice and angry mobs outside arenas, Val fought his way to become the league's undisputed heavyweight champion. Black Ice is his story.