Leave the rink and dive into tales where ice hockey’s pulse is etched in prose.
From gritty clashes on the ice to heartwarming off-ice stories, our selection offers an all-access rink pass to the hustle, glory, and soul of hockey.
Are you game to explore the best ice hockey books out there?
Best Ice Hockey Books:
- The Game – A reflective and thought-provoking look at life in hockey
- Home Game – Hockey and Life in Canada
- Playing With Fire – The Highest Highs and Lowest Lows of Theo Fleury
- Hockey Dad – True Confessions of a (Crazy?) Hockey Parent
- The Boys of Winter – The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team
- King of Russia – A Year in the Russian Super League
- Open Ice – Reflections and Confessions of a Hockey Lifer
- Tropic of Hockey – My Search for the Game in Unlikely Places
Table of Contents
- #1 The Game – A reflective and thought-provoking look at a life in hockey
- #2 Home Game – Hockey and Life in Canada
- #3 Playing With Fire – The Highest Highs and Lowest Lows of Theo Fleury
- #4 Hockey Dad – True Confessions of a (Crazy?) Hockey Parent
- #5 The Boys of Winter – The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team
- #6 King of Russia – A Year in the Russian Super League
- #7 Thunder and Lightning – A No-B.S. Hockey Memoir
- #8 Tropic of Hockey – My Search for the Game in Unlikely Places
- FAQ
#1 The Game – A reflective and thought-provoking look at a life in hockey
- ✍️ Author: Ken Dryden
- 📆 Year Published: 1983
- 📘 Genre: Biographies and Autobiographies, History
Ken Dryden’s “The Game” offers a profound and intimate look into the heart of hockey, perfectly capturing the essence of the sport and what it means to those who play it. Written by one of the NHL’s legendary goaltenders, Dryden reflects on his experiences with the Montreal Canadiens during their dynasty years.
Beyond the ice, this book also explores the complexities of team dynamics, the nature of stardom, and the transition from player to retiree. An evocative must-read for fans wishing to delve deep into the cultural impact of hockey in Canada and beyond.
#2 Home Game – Hockey and Life in Canada
- ✍️ Author: Ken Dryden and Roy MacGregor
- 📆 Year Published: 1989
- 📘 Genre: Biographies and Autobiographies, History
In “Home Game,” Ken Dryden teams up with Roy MacGregor to delve into the culture of hockey in Canada. This book not only celebrates the sport but also examines its integral role in shaping Canadian identity.
From pond hockey to the professional arenas, Dryden and MacGregor offer personal insights and stories that resonate with anyone who has ever loved the sport. This book is an intimate portrait of hockey’s influence on family, community, and a nation’s spirit — a compelling piece of literature for enthusiasts of both hockey and Canadian culture.
#3 Playing With Fire – The Highest Highs and Lowest Lows of Theo Fleury
- ✍️ Author: Theo Fleury and Kirstie McLellan Day
- 📆 Year Published: 2009
- 📘 Genre: Biographies and Autobiographies
“Playing With Fire” is a courageous autobiography of Theo Fleury, a hockey star whose life off the ice was as tumultuous as his career on it was brilliant. Co-written with Kirstie McLellan Day, the book reveals raw and often shocking details about his battles with addiction, his experience with abuse, and his journey to redemption.
Fleury’s candid storytelling gives readers an inspiring example of resilience and the strength to overcome personal demons. It’s a brutally honest tale that showcases the duality of a public life filled with private pain.
#4 Hockey Dad – True Confessions of a (Crazy?) Hockey Parent
- ✍️ Author: Bob McKenzie
- 📆 Year Published: 2009
- 📘 Genre: Youth and High School Ice Hockey, Biographies and Autobiographies
Through humor and heart, Bob McKenzie’s “Hockey Dad” captures the journey and joy of being a parent involved in youth hockey. With anecdotal tales from his experiences as the father of two players, McKenzie provides an inside look at the sacrifices, excitement, and occasional absurdities observed from the stands and beyond.
It’s a relatable account that connects with any parent who has navigated the world of competitive youth sports, making it an endearing and insightful read for hockey parents who are all too familiar with early morning practices and weekend tournaments.
#5 The Boys of Winter – The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team
- ✍️ Author: Wayne Coffey
- 📆 Year Published: 2005
- 📘 Genre: Biographies and Autobiographies, History
“The Boys of Winter” is a captivating recount of the legendary 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team and their underdog victory in Lake Placid. Author Wayne Coffey skillfully retells the “Miracle on Ice” through interviews and meticulous research, providing a rich narrative that extends beyond the ice to include the players’ lives and the societal context of the Cold War era.
This book provides a behind-the-scenes look into one of sports’ most inspiring stories, bringing to life the personalities and the collective spirit that led a group of amateur athletes to defeat a hockey juggernaut.
#6 King of Russia – A Year in the Russian Super League
- ✍️ Author: Dave King with Eric Duhatschek
- 📆 Year Published: 2007
- 📘 Genre: Biographies and Autobiographies
In “King of Russia,” Dave King, with the help of veteran hockey writer Eric Duhatschek, chronicles his adventure as a Canadian coach in the tumultuous world of Russian hockey. King’s narrative offers a unique cross-cultural experience, providing insight into the complexities of coaching in the Russian Super League and the broader implications for hockey as a global game.
His experiences with future NHL stars and the challenges of adapting to a different style of play and life make this book a fascinating account for anyone interested in the international dimensions of the sport.
#7 Thunder and Lightning – A No-B.S. Hockey Memoir
- ✍️ Author: Phil Esposito with Peter Golenbock
- 📆 Year Published: 2003
- 📘 Genre: Biographies and Autobiographies
“Thunder and Lightning” is a straight-shooting memoir from one of hockey’s most outspoken characters, Phil Esposito. Co-written with Peter Golenbock, Esposito pulls no punches as he recounts his illustrious career, the founding of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and his philosophies about the game.
This book is packed with humor, grit, and the kind of frankness that only an NHL legend like Esposito can provide. It offers an entertaining and insightful look into the life of a man who helped shape modern hockey, both on and off the ice.
#8 Tropic of Hockey – My Search for the Game in Unlikely Places
- ✍️ Author: Dave Bidini
- 📆 Year Published: 2000
- 📘 Genre: Biographies and Autobiographies, History
Dave Bidini’s “Tropic of Hockey” is an extraordinary travelogue that carries readers through the less-explored territories of the hockey world. From the U.A.E. to Transylvania, Bidini seeks out the heart of hockey, finding it in the most unexpected of places and people.
This book is a love letter to the sport, an adventure story, and a cultural exploration all in one, shining a light on the universal appeal of hockey and the way it can connect people from vastly different backgrounds. A heartfelt narrative that affirms hockey’s unique power to inspire and unite across the globe.
Understand why enthusiasts consider it the most challenging sport by reading why ice hockey is the hardest sport.
FAQ
What are the best Ice Hockey books of all time?
“The Game” by Ken Dryden, “Orr: My Story” by Bobby Orr, “The Boys of Winter” by Wayne Coffey, “Hockey Confidential” by Bob McKenzie, and “The Hockey Sweater” by Roch Carrier are the best Ice Hockey books of all time. These titles offer a mix of personal memoirs, historical accounts, and profound insights into the culture of Ice Hockey.
What is the best Ice Hockey book for adults?
“Ken Dryden’s “The Game” is the best Ice Hockey book for adults, providing a thoughtful and introspective look at the sport and its influence on Canadian culture and society.
What are the best books for Ice Hockey fundamentals and strategy?
“Behind the Bench” by Craig Custance and “Hockey Plays and Strategies” by Mike Johnston and Ryan Walter are the best books for Ice Hockey fundamentals and strategy, offering practical guides to coaching techniques and on-ice tactics.
