Books Like “Slap Shot Original”

Hayley Wickenheiser

Elizabeth Etue

2014

In this book, simple text and full-color photographs describe the amazing life of Hayley Wickenheiser! Hayley is a Canadian women's ice hockey player who was the first woman to play full-time professional hockey in a position other than goalie. She is also a member of the Canadian women's national ice hockey team, and has won several golds for Canada at the Olympic Games.

The Scandal: Published in the U.S. as Beartown

Fredrik Backman

2017

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove returns with Beartown--an instant New York Times bestseller--about a forgotten town fractured by scandal, and the amateur hockey team that might just change everything. People say Beartown is finished. A tiny community nestled deep in the forest, it is slowly losing ground to the ever encroaching trees. But down by the lake stands an old ice rink, built generations ago by the working men who founded this town. And in that ice rink is the reason people in Beartown believe tomorrow will be better than today. Their junior ice hockey team is about to compete in the national semi-finals, and they actually have a shot at winning. All the dreams of this place now rest on the shoulders of a handful of teenage boys. Being responsible for the hopes of an entire town is a heavy burden, and the semi-final match is the catalyst for a violent act that will leave a young girl traumatized and a town in turmoil. Accusations are made and, like ripples on a pond, they travel through all of Beartown, leaving no resident unaffected. Beartown explores the hopes that bring a small community together, the secrets that tear it apart, and the courage it takes for an individual to go against the grain. In this story of a small forest town, Fredrik Backman has found the entire world. "Like Friday Night Lights, this is about more than youth sports; it's part coming-of-age novel, part study of moral failure, and finally a chronicle of groupthink in which an unlikely hero steps forward to save more than one person from self-destruction" (Kirkus Reviews).

Hockey the NHL Way

Sean Rossiter, Paul Carson

1996

This book offers young readers an inside look at the fundamental skills and strategies of professional ice hockey. It breaks down key positions like goaltending and defense, explaining the techniques and tactics used by NHL players. Through clear explanations and likely illustrations, it aims to educate aspiring players and fans on how the game is played at its highest level.

Jean Béliveau

Jean Béliveau, Jean Beliveau, Chrys Goyens, Allan Turowetz

1994

Few professional athletes have been as loved and respected as Jean Béliveau, captain of the fabled Montreal Canadiens during the team’s glory years in the 1950s and 1960s. His career on ice was followed by an equally successful career in the Canadiens' front office. First published in 1994, this classic biography has been fully updated to reflect the events of the past decade, from his battle with cancer to his frank assessment of the game today, including the consequences of expansion and the fallout from a cancelled season.

Wayne Gretzky

Matt Doeden

2007

About this book — Wayne Gretzky is a Hockey Books book by Matt Doeden. Explore related titles, reader interests, and similar books on BestsellerFinder.

Gretzky's Tears

Stephen Brunt

2009

Stephen Brunt's "Gretzky's Tears" explores the profound impact of Wayne Gretzky's career on Canadian identity and the evolution of professional hockey. The biography delves into Gretzky's unparalleled achievements on the ice, examining how his success became intertwined with national pride and the sport's growing commercialization. Brunt offers an insightful look at the man behind the legend, considering the pressures and personal sacrifices that accompanied Gretzky's extraordinary journey.

A Season of Loss, a Lifetime of Forgiveness

John Manasso

2005

This memoir chronicles the devastating loss of a teenage son in a drunk driving accident and the subsequent, arduous journey of the author, John Manasso, towards forgiveness. Manasso recounts the profound grief and anger he experienced, particularly directed at the hockey player whose reckless driving caused the tragedy. Through years of reflection and personal growth, he grapples with the complexities of blame, justice, and ultimately, the transformative power of choosing forgiveness over enduring bitterness.

The Devil and Bobby Hull

Gare Joyce

2011

Gare Joyce's biography, *The Devil and Bobby Hull*, chronicles the tumultuous life and legendary career of Bobby Hull, the iconic left winger whose powerful slap shot redefined offensive hockey in the National Hockey League. The book delves into Hull's electrifying play, his personal struggles with addiction and relationships, and his controversial decision to join the upstart World Hockey Association. Joyce offers a nuanced portrait of a flawed but undeniably gifted athlete who left an indelible mark on hockey history.

I love hockey

Sleeping Bear Press

2014

This engaging book introduces young readers to the thrilling world of professional hockey, focusing on the National Hockey League and the dedication of its star players. Through vibrant illustrations and accessible text, it explores the passion and athleticism involved in the sport, highlighting key moments and the journey of becoming a hockey hero. It offers a fun and informative look at what it takes to play and love the game at its highest level.

The third best Hull

Dennis Hull, Robert Thompson

1998

This autobiography by Dennis Hull, co-written with Robert Thompson, chronicles the author's journey from his early days in hockey to his successful NHL career, focusing on his experiences as a player and brother to hockey legend Bobby Hull. Hull shares insights into the challenges and triumphs of professional hockey, offering a personal perspective on the sport's evolution and his place within it. The book provides a candid look at the life of a notable hockey player, detailing his relationships and the impact of the game on his life.

Hockey superstars

James Duplacey

1993

Presents a brief look at some of the hockey superstars who have scored 1000 goals in their careers, including Gordie Howe, Mark Messier, Denis Potvin, Darryl Sittler, and Wayne Gretzky.

The game

Ben Butterworth

1983

Ken Dryden's "The Game" offers an intimate look at the 1970s Montreal Canadiens dynasty from the perspective of their star goaltender. Through Dryden's insightful prose, readers experience the pressures of professional hockey, the dynamics of a legendary team, and the personal journey of a player navigating fame and introspection. The memoir delves into the camaraderie, rivalries, and the sheer dedication required to achieve unparalleled success in the National Hockey League.

Bio-pirate

Michele Martin Bossley

2008

Key Selling Points Enhanced features (highly-readable font, cream paper, larger trim size) to increase reading accessibility for dyslexic and other striving readers.

Between the lines

Ray Scapinello, Ray Scapinello, Rob Simpson

2007

This biography chronicles the career of Ray Scapinello, a veteran NHL linesman whose journey from humble beginnings to officiating over 1,000 games is detailed. The book offers a unique perspective on the demanding role of a linesman, exploring the challenges and experiences of working within the fast-paced world of professional hockey. Scapinello's reflections provide insight into the dedication and resilience required to navigate the league from a non-player's vantage point.

Hockey Dad

Bob McKenzie

2009

A revealing look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of minor hockey culture Known as TSN's "Hockey Insider," Canada's Bob McKenzie is synonymous with the sport and one of its most respected analysts. In Hockey Dad, McKenzie describes firsthand the joys and heartbreak of raising two sons, with entirely diverging athletic futures. He details their separate paths, describing Michael, a 22-year-old playing NCAA hockey on scholarship, and Shawn, now 19, whose competitive minor hockey life was cut short at age 14 because of multiple concussions. Their deeply personal stories, and the trials and tribulations of a father creating futures for them, offer readers a compelling look into the world and culture of minor hockey. Includes funny anecdotes, debates on numerous hockey issues, and personal reflections on the game and its culture With an unwavering look at his own strengths and weaknesses, as well as the entire system of minor hockey in Canada, Hockey Dad is an honest, irreverent and sometimes moving look at a sporting culture that is not so much a recreation as it is a way of life.

The making of Slap shot

Jonathon Jackson

2010

How a movie about minor league hockey became a box office hit—and an international cult classic Even thirty-odd years after Slap Shot's release, diehard hockey fans can still recite scenes of dialogue by heart, making lines like "putting on the foil" just common argot for the devoted. Yet many may be surprised to learn that the true story behind the making of the film is as captivating as the film itself. In The Making of Slap Shot, veteran sports writer Jonathon Jackson lets fans not only relive just how the film was made, but brings to light a number of little-known facts about the genesis and production of this sports classic. With access to those involved in the making of the film, the author brings to life some of the magic behind the creation of memorable scenes and characters, especially the Charlestown Chiefs, one of the most popular fictional sports teams in history. Based on interviews with over 50 cast members, production staff, and anyone of note involved in the film's creation Details little known facts (including how Al Pacino was the first choice for the role of Reggie Dunlop) and how almost every scene—even the absurd and unbelievable ones—depicts a real life event Jackson is a veteran journalist whose work has appeared in The Hockey News, the Montreal Gazette, the Ottawa Citizen and many other publications Destined to be a collectible and keepsake (along with the jerseys, bobbleheads, and other paraphernalia associated with the film), The Making of Slap Shot is a must for fans eager to learn the colourful backstory of this surprising film classic.

Fighting the good fight

Adam Proteau

2011

Adam Proteau's "Fighting the Good Fight" delves into the complex history of violence within the National Hockey League, moving beyond simplistic justifications to explore the evolution of enforcers and the culture that shaped their roles. Through compelling anecdotes and historical context, the book examines how the league grappled with, and often condoned, physical altercations as an integral part of the game, ultimately questioning the long-term impact of this "good fight" on players and the sport itself. It offers a nuanced perspective on the players who embraced this physicality and the changing attitudes towards its place in modern hockey.

Pick

The Hockey Dad Survival Guide

Donna Freitas

Written like the things you would have wanted someone to say in week one, not in year four after the money is gone.

The Hockey Mystery

Gertrude Chandler Warner

2001

When the Box family takes over running a struggling skating rink, they uncover a puzzling series of mishaps that threaten to close it down. The resourceful Alden and Benny, along with their sisters, must use their keen observation skills and love for hockey to investigate who is sabotaging the rink and why. Their determination to solve the mystery leads them onto the ice, where a thrilling hockey game becomes the backdrop for the final reveal.

Icebreaker

Hannah Grace

2020

When figure skater Anastasia Allen finds herself unexpectedly partnered with hockey player Nate Hawkins, their initial animosity ignites a fiery, enemies-to-lovers romance. As they navigate the pressures of their respective sports and the challenges of their forced proximity, Anastasia and Nate must confront their pasts and the fragile trust that develops between them. This coming-of-age story explores the complexities of ambition, friendship, and finding love where you least expect it, all set against the backdrop of intense athletic competition.

The Deal

Elle Kennedy

2000

Hannah is a pragmatic graduate student struggling with her academics, while Garrett is a cocky hockey player facing academic probation. To help Garrett pass his classes, Hannah agrees to a fake dating arrangement, but their initial animosity slowly melts away as they spend more time together. What starts as a transactional agreement blossoms into genuine feelings, blurring the lines between their pretend relationship and their undeniable chemistry.

Franklin Plays Hockey (A Franklin TV Storybook)

Sharon Jennings, Paulette Bourgeois, P., Clark, B., Jennings, S. (Tv Tie-In) Bourgeois, Brenda Clark, John Lei, Mark Koren, Jelena Sisic

2002

L'equipe de Benjamin perd depuis qu'Eloise en fait partie. Jouer au hockey devient soudain beaucoup moins amusant! Et tant que capitaine de l'equipe, Benjamin doit maintenant prendre une grande decision : laisser jouer Eloise ou pas!

Dancing Carl

Gary Paulsen

1983

Dancing Carl, Gary Paulsen's first novel, was a ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a Notable Children's Trade Book for the Language Arts. In the winter, life in McKinley, Minnesota, revolves around the rinks, where kids play hockey and grown-ups skate to scratchy phonograph records. Then, the year Marsh and his best friend, Willy, are twelve, Carl appears at the rink, wearing a battered, old leather flight jacket and doing a strange dance that is both beautiful and disturbing to watch. It is Marsh and Willy who discover the terrible secret behind Carl's dance, a secret that threatens to destroy him. But a small miracle occurs, and Carl's dance becomes a fragile and tentative expression of hope and the healing power of love.

Home sweet home

Mordecai Richler

1984

Mordecai Richler's *Home Sweet Home* offers a collection of essays and articles that delve into his multifaceted identity as a Canadian writer and observer of society. Through witty and often sardonic prose, Richler reflects on his childhood in Montreal, his experiences as an expatriate, and the complexities of Canadian culture, frequently touching upon his lifelong passions for hockey and baseball. This work provides a personal and insightful look at the author's evolving relationship with his homeland and his sharp commentary on civilization's absurdities.