7 Hockey Coaching Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Joe Bertagna draws on more than three decades of collegiate hockey leadership and professional coaching experience to provide an authoritative guide tailored to coaches across all levels. This book compiles insights from sixteen respected coaches, covering everything from position-specific drills to in-game tactics like power plays and penalty kills. You’ll also find guidance on building a hockey program from the ground up and managing relationships with players, parents, and the community. If you’re aiming to deepen your understanding of hockey coaching or elevate your team’s performance, this book offers concrete frameworks without unnecessary jargon.

During his extensive career as a sportswriter, Wayne Coffey felt compelled to tell a fuller story behind the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team's historic "Miracle on Ice." This book delves deeply into the players' backgrounds, Coach Herb Brooks' unconventional methods, and the geopolitical tensions shaping the event. You gain insight into team dynamics forged in just six months, the contrast between amateurs and seasoned Soviet pros, and how that singular victory reshaped American sports culture. It's suited for anyone fascinated by the intersection of sports, history, and leadership under pressure, especially those curious about how a disparate group coalesced into champions against overwhelming odds.

This tailored hockey coaching book offers a deep dive into essential coaching skills and effective team leadership within the hockey arena. It explores core techniques, player development, and tactical decision-making, all crafted to align with your unique background and objectives. By focusing on your interests, this personalized guide reveals how to cultivate a cohesive, motivated team and navigate high-pressure game situations with confidence. The content bridges general coaching principles with your specific goals, resulting in a focused learning experience. Whether you're refining your leadership style or mastering new drills, this book provides a pathway designed exclusively for your coaching journey in hockey.

Drawing from extensive NHL experience, Ryan Walter and Mike Johnston crafted this detailed guide to hockey tactics that goes beyond basic coaching. You'll explore over 160 offensive, defensive, and special teams plays, including nuanced strategies like puck movement in the neutral zone and power play systems designed to disrupt opponents. The book also delves into effective game management techniques, such as line pairings and momentum shifts, equipping you to make smarter in-game decisions. Whether you're stepping into coaching for the first time or refining your approach, this book offers a thorough playbook to elevate your team's competitive edge.

After decades coaching at all levels from juniors to the NHL, Dave Chambers compiled his extensive expertise into this expansive guide. You'll find 500 drills covering everything from fundamental skating skills to advanced game situations like power plays and penalty kills. The book breaks down each drill with clear instructions, diagrams, and coaching tips, making it practical whether you're developing individual skills or team tactics. This resource suits coaches and players aiming to sharpen specific areas, evaluate performance, and elevate overall game readiness. Its thoroughness means casual fans might find it dense, but for serious hockey mentors, it's a solid manual.

Ryan Kent Stimson, a Level III USA Hockey Certified Coach with years of experience consulting for collegiate teams, presents a fresh perspective on hockey tactics grounded in analytical research. In this book, you’ll learn how to construct a flexible tactical framework that emphasizes creativity and fluidity rather than rigid systems. Stimson breaks down team philosophy, roster construction, and tactical choices with quantitative backing, while sharing real coaching challenges and adaptations from his youth hockey experience. If you're eager to blend analytics with practical coaching to develop a dynamic team style, this book will guide you through the why and how of modern hockey strategy.

This tailored hockey coaching guide explores step-by-step actions designed to elevate your coaching impact within just one month. It covers essential skill development, player motivation techniques, and game strategy adaptations, all focused on what matters most to your coaching journey. The content is personalized to match your background and specific goals, ensuring you engage deeply with areas that boost your effectiveness on and off the ice. Through targeted exercises and focused plans, this book reveals how to accelerate your coaching growth by integrating core principles with your unique coaching style. Its tailored approach fosters rapid learning and practical application, making each lesson relevant to your team's needs and your personal aspirations.

During his thirty-two-year tenure coaching at American International College, Gary Wright discovered that coaching college hockey is as much about shaping character as it is about tactics. This book takes you inside the locker room and onto the bench with stories that mix humor and serious reflection, revealing how on-ice strategies and life lessons are inseparable. You'll gain insights into managing team dynamics, handling pressure against champion teams, and the evolution of college hockey through personal anecdotes. If you're passionate about the sport and want a nuanced view that goes beyond drills and plays, this is a thoughtful companion for your coaching journey.

Mal Alexander's decades of hands-on coaching and playing experience shape this practical guide aimed at energizing your hockey sessions. You’ll find drills carefully grouped by game phases—from warm-ups to goalkeeping—with clear diagrams that demystify each movement. The book digs into skill analysis before offering targeted exercises, such as ball carrying and defending, equipping you to structure sessions that build player competence progressively. Coaches looking to refresh or deepen their training repertoire at any level will find this a straightforward toolkit, though those seeking advanced tactics might need more specialized resources.