4 Hockey Coaching Books Every Beginner Should Read

Wayne Coffey, an award-winning sportswriter, offers a vivid narrative that transforms the legendary 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team's journey into a nuanced exploration of teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. Drawing on extensive interviews, the book reveals the chemistry forged by coach Herb Brooks and the dynamics that fueled their unexpected victory over the Soviet champions. You'll gain insight into how a coach’s vision and a group’s grit can overcome immense odds, illustrated through detailed accounts of pivotal moments and player profiles. This book suits you if you want to understand the human elements behind a historic sports achievement, rather than just the game’s technicalities.

Unlike most hockey coaching books that focus on generic strategies, Andrew Trimble’s The Hockey Planner offers a detailed, year-by-year roadmap tailored to each stage of player development, from Learn to Play through Junior Hockey. Drawing on nearly 40 years in the sport, including his leadership roles with the New England Wolves and Scoring Concepts LLC, Trimble shares insights on age-appropriate drills, key concepts, and game plans that avoid common coaching myths. The book’s practical, level-specific guidance helps you design training that matches your players’ evolving skills and needs. If you’re stepping into coaching youth or junior hockey and want a clear developmental path, this book gives you a structured framework without overwhelming jargon or assumptions.

This tailored book explores the essential fundamentals of hockey coaching with a focus on beginners. It covers step-by-step guidance tailored to your background and learning pace, ensuring a comfortable and confidence-building journey into coaching. The content reveals core coaching principles and practical approaches that match your specific interests and skill level, making complex topics accessible and manageable. By offering a personalized learning experience, it removes overwhelm and helps you focus on foundational skills crucial for developing players and managing a team effectively. This book creates a supportive pathway to mastering hockey coaching fundamentals at a pace that suits you.

Newell Brown, a seasoned NHL assistant coach with deep collegiate hockey roots, crafted this book to break down scoring into approachable, effective drills. You get 70 shooting exercises that gradually build from simple to elite levels, making it easy to progress without feeling overwhelmed. The drills, many adaptable to pavement or roller hockey, emphasize technique and creativity, such as the "Drill Finder" that helps you target specific scoring skills. Whether you’re just starting or looking to sharpen your shot, the book guides you through practical skills that translate directly to game situations.

Brian Bush's extensive experience in hockey coaching shines through in this focused guide dedicated to goaltenders. He tackles a common gap: many hockey coaches lack specific goalie coaching skills, and this book bridges that divide with clear, accessible instruction. You’ll learn everything from foundational goalie techniques to more advanced strategies, making it suitable whether you're just starting or looking to deepen your expertise. For example, Bush breaks down practice drills and mental preparation chapters that clarify often overlooked goalie nuances. If you’re coaching ice or roller hockey goalies and want a straightforward resource that respects the unique demands of the position, this book is tailored for you.