7 Beginner-Friendly Ice Hockey Books That Make Learning Easy

Wayne Coffey, an accomplished sportswriter for the New York Daily News, brings a fresh perspective to a legendary moment in Ice Hockey history through meticulous research and hundreds of interviews. This book immerses you in the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team's journey, revealing the personal stories and the intense chemistry crafted by coach Herb Brooks. You’ll gain insight into the dynamics of an underdog team facing a dominant Soviet squad amid Cold War tensions, with vivid accounts of the pivotal game and its lasting effects on players' lives. If you want to understand the human spirit behind a historic sports upset, this narrative provides a richly detailed, accessible entry point.

Sami Jo Small's decade-long tenure with Canada's National Women's Hockey Team unfolds in this memoir, delivering an intimate look at the highs and lows behind Olympic glory. You gain insight into the resilience and teamwork required to compete at the sport's pinnacle, especially through chapters detailing the 1998 Nagano debut and the triumphant 2010 Vancouver Games. Small's engineering background and leadership experience subtly inform her reflections on team dynamics and personal sacrifice. If you’re new to ice hockey and eager to understand the human stories behind the sport, this book offers an accessible entry point that balances personal narrative with insider perspectives.

This personalized book explores ice hockey through a step-by-step introduction tailored to your unique learning goals and skill level. It covers foundational skills, essential game knowledge, and confidence-building exercises designed specifically for newcomers, easing you into the sport without overwhelm. The content focuses on your interests and pace, ensuring each chapter matches your background and addresses your specific goals in ice hockey progression. From basic skating and stick handling to understanding game flow and positioning, this tailored guide creates a clear learning path that builds competence and enjoyment. By combining targeted foundational concepts with a personalized approach, it reveals how to grow steadily from novice to a confident player ready for the ice.

Unlike most ice hockey books that focus on team strategy, this volume zeroes in on individual skill development, drawing from Ron Davidson's extensive experience as a national team player and coach. You learn precise techniques ranging from basic skating and stick handling to complex dekes and body positioning, with chapters dedicated to moves like the Forsberg and Datsyuk dekes. The book's structure allows you to build from foundational skills through advanced maneuvers, making it suitable whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your game. Its focus on mastering movement and puck control means you'll gain a solid grasp of the physical and technical aspects essential for any ice hockey player.

The Hockey Handbook challenges traditional views by offering an analytical look at hockey fundamentals, crafted by Lloyd Percival, a pioneer whose work reached beyond Canada to influence Russian and European coaching. You’ll gain detailed insights into skill development and training techniques that were revolutionary for their time and remain relevant today, including updated chapters on conditioning by experts like Dr. Tom Sawa. This book is designed for anyone eager to build a solid foundation in hockey skills, from individual players to coaches shaping their teams. Its blend of historical perspective and practical guidance makes it a straightforward entry point without overwhelming newcomers.

What started as Anatoli Tarasov’s mission to transform Soviet hockey into a competitive force against North American teams became a detailed playbook for understanding ice hockey’s evolution and tactics. You learn how Tarasov merged Russian outdoor styles with the Canadian indoor game, creating strategies that led his team to international victory. This book reveals the foundational skills, team dynamics, and adaptations that shaped modern hockey, offering you a historical lens and practical insights into the sport’s development. If you’re new to hockey and want a clear view of how the game’s style and strategy evolved, this is a useful starting point.

This tailored book explores essential ice hockey techniques and drills crafted specifically for beginner players. It offers a progressive introduction that gently builds skills while matching your unique background and learning pace. By focusing on foundational elements, the book removes overwhelm and helps develop confidence through targeted, personalized content. The approach emphasizes a learning experience designed around your comfort level and specific goals, making mastery both accessible and engaging. With a focus on core skating, stick handling, positioning, and basic gameplay, this book provides a tailored path that supports steady progress and deep understanding of ice hockey fundamentals.

When Jack Canfield teamed up with Mark Victor Hansen and Laura Robinson, they crafted a collection that goes beyond typical sports biographies, offering intimate glimpses into the lives of hockey players and their communities. You’ll encounter stories that reveal the human side of hockey—from Mark Messier coaching kids in his hometown to Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser breaking barriers by playing on a Finnish male team. These narratives highlight perseverance, family support, and personal growth, making the game accessible to anyone curious about hockey culture. If you want to understand what fuels players emotionally and socially, this book delivers through its heartfelt and diverse stories.

What started as a detailed archival project became a vivid narrative that removes barriers for newcomers eager to understand professional hockey's deep roots. Arthur Pincus, collaborating with four authorities, chronicles the NHL's evolution from its 1917 inception in a Montreal hotel ballroom to the thrilling 1999 Stanley Cup finale, weaving in stories of legendary players like Maurice Richard and Wayne Gretzky. You'll gain a solid grasp of hockey's defining moments and characters, enriched by stunning archival photographs that bring history to life. This book suits anyone new to the sport who wants an approachable yet richly illustrated introduction to the NHL's storied past without getting lost in technical jargon.