5 New Hockey Teams Books Reshaping the Sport in 2025

Discover authoritative Hockey Teams books by leading experts including Craig Custance and Jenifer Martin that capture new insights and trends in 2025.

Updated on June 28, 2025
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The Hockey Teams landscape changed dramatically in 2024 with new strategies, historical reflections, and leadership analyses shaping how teams build success on and off the ice. As hockey evolves, understanding the nuances behind team dynamics and legacy has never been more crucial.

These five books, authored by experts deeply embedded in hockey culture and management, offer penetrating looks into everything from draft day decisions to the political power plays that have influenced the sport. Craig Custance and Jenifer Martin deliver compelling narratives that bridge history and modern strategy for anyone invested in hockey’s future.

While these books provide the latest insights, if you want content tailored specifically to your Hockey Teams goals and background, consider creating a personalized Hockey Teams book that builds on these emerging trends and fits your unique interests.

Best for leadership and strategy insights
Craig Custance’s The Franchise offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of hockey’s top franchises, revealing how decisions made off the ice shape championship teams. Drawing from extensive interviews with general managers, owners, and executives, the book uncovers the challenges and strategies involved in building winning teams. It’s a valuable resource for anyone eager to understand the business and leadership behind hockey success, moving beyond the game’s surface to examine the factors that truly determine which teams rise.
2024·304 pages·Hockey Teams, Team Management, Sports Leadership, Player Drafting, Team Building

After several years of in-depth reporting and interviews, Craig Custance developed a nuanced portrait of what truly drives success in hockey franchises. You’ll gain insight into the decision-making processes behind the scenes—from the owner’s suite to the general manager’s office—and how these choices shape winning teams. The book offers vivid examples, like the risky but pivotal player signings and internal debates over trades, revealing the complexities beyond the game itself. Whether you’re a passionate fan or involved in team management, this book challenges you to rethink the roots of victory in hockey, focusing on leadership, strategy, and organizational culture.

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Best for Canadian hockey heritage fans
Winnipeg Jets Ice Hockey Team Exploits offers a thorough look at one of Canada’s most passionate hockey franchises, tracing the team's path from its WHA roots through NHL challenges and its emotional return to Winnipeg. This book stands out for its detailed profiles of players and coaches, memorable game narratives, and exploration of fan loyalty that defines the Jets’ unique place in hockey history. It’s a valuable resource for anyone wanting to grasp how a team’s legacy shapes and reflects the broader culture of hockey teams in Canada.
2024·115 pages·Hockey Teams, Ice hockey, Canadian History, Hockey, Sports History

Jenifer Martin brings a deep appreciation of Canadian ice hockey culture to this detailed account of the Winnipeg Jets' journey, driven by a passion to preserve the team’s legacy. You’ll gain insights into the Jets’ evolution from their early WHA days, through their NHL challenges, to their triumphant return to Winnipeg. The book offers rich profiles of key players and coaches, alongside vivid recountings of pivotal games and fan experiences, making it ideal if you want to understand the emotional and historical fabric that defines this iconic franchise. While it’s a treasure trove for devoted hockey fans, those new to the sport will also find the storytelling accessible and engaging.

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Best for custom hockey strategies
This personalized AI book about hockey leadership is created after you share your knowledge level, interests, and specific goals in managing hockey teams. This AI-created resource focuses on the newest 2025 developments and insights shaping the sport, ensuring the content matches what you want to explore most. By honing in on your background and desired topics, it brings the latest hockey team strategies directly to you, making your learning both relevant and efficient.
2025·50-300 pages·Hockey Teams, Hockey Leadership, Team Dynamics, Player Development, Coaching Innovations

This tailored book explores the latest developments and cutting-edge leadership strategies transforming hockey teams in 2025. It examines emerging trends in team dynamics, coaching approaches, management techniques, and player development, all tailored to your specific interests and background. By focusing on the newest discoveries shaping the sport, this personalized guide helps you stay ahead of evolving hockey strategies in a way general texts cannot. With a focus on practical applications and analysis, it reveals how contemporary hockey teams build success on and off the ice in a rapidly changing competitive environment.

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Best for draft strategy and talent evaluation
Doug MacLean, a former NHL coach, general manager, and team president, brings firsthand expertise to this book, drawing on years of experience leading teams and working in hockey leadership. His role as a sportscaster further deepens his perspective, allowing him to analyze draft day with insider knowledge and clarity. MacLean wrote this book to demystify the critical moments behind how hockey teams pick winners or fall behind, sharing lessons from his career and recent drafts to help you grasp the high stakes and strategic complexities involved.
2023·304 pages·Hockey Teams, Sports Strategy, Talent Evaluation, Team Building, Player Scouting

Doug MacLean's decades of experience as an NHL coach, general manager, and team president shape this insightful exploration of what it takes to build a winning hockey team through the draft. You’ll get an insider's look at the complex process teams use to evaluate talent, balancing analytics with traditional scouting, as MacLean shares stories from the 2022 draft and historical moments that reveal how championships are crafted or lost. The book delves into concrete factors that influence success, including player assessment techniques and organizational decision-making. If you're invested in understanding how future champions are forged or why some teams falter, this book offers a candid, detailed perspective.

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Best for sports history and political resistance
Freedom to Win presents a unique perspective on hockey teams by weaving together sports, politics, and history. The narrative captures how a small Czechoslovak team challenged a dominant Soviet force during one of history’s most fraught periods, turning their games into acts of defiance and hope. This book offers fresh insights into the role sports play beyond the rink, illustrating how athletic competition can galvanize national spirit and resistance. If you're intrigued by the intersection of sports and political struggle, this story illuminates how courage on the ice mirrored the fight for freedom in the streets.
2023·416 pages·Hockey Teams, Cold War, Sports History, Political Resistance, Olympic Games

During the tense Cold War era, Ethan Scheiner explores how a modest Czechoslovak hockey team became more than just athletes—they turned into symbols of national resistance. The book offers detailed insights into how sports intersected with politics, showcasing the players’ courage both on and off the ice. You’ll learn about the historical context behind their battles against the Soviet juggernaut, including vivid accounts of key games and the personal sacrifices of the Holík brothers. This narrative suits anyone interested in sports history, political resilience, or the powerful role of athletic competition in shaping collective identity.

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Best for regional hockey history enthusiasts
Colorado Ice Hockey offers a focused look at the rich and colorful history of hockey teams in Colorado, capturing the state’s unique role in the sport’s American story. The book highlights significant moments like the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" and profiles teams from cities such as Denver and Aspen, revealing how local culture and community shaped hockey’s rise. This volume is a valuable reference for anyone interested in regional sports history or the development of ice hockey in the United States.
Colorado Ice Hockey (Images of Sports) book cover

by Roger Hadix·You?

2024·128 pages·Ice hockey, Hockey Teams, Sports, Hockey, Regional Sports History

When Roger Hadix first uncovered Colorado's deep ice hockey roots, he realized this story went beyond just games and scores. This book traces the evolution of ice hockey in Colorado, highlighting key teams like the Denver Spurs and pivotal moments such as the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" that sparked national enthusiasm. You’ll gain insight into the regional contributions to the sport’s growth, including local arenas and communities that fueled hockey’s momentum. If you’re curious about how a state became a hockey hotspot or want a historical lens on American ice hockey’s rise, this book offers a concise yet rich overview.

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Best for custom hockey insights
This personalized AI book about hockey trends is created based on your background and specific interests in the sport's future. By sharing what you want to focus on and your current understanding, you get a book that explores the newest developments and discoveries shaping hockey teams in 2025. Customization makes sense here because hockey's evolution is complex and fast-paced—this book zeroes in on what matters most for your goals, helping you stay informed without sifting through unrelated information.
2025·50-300 pages·Hockey Teams, Hockey Trends, Team Dynamics, Player Development, Competitive Analysis

This tailored book explores the evolving landscape of hockey teams with a sharp focus on emerging trends and future developments for 2025 and beyond. It examines how new discoveries and innovations are shaping team dynamics, player development, and competitive strategies across the sport. By concentrating on your unique interests and background, the book reveals cutting-edge insights that help you stay ahead of upcoming challenges in hockey team management and performance. This personalized guide matches your goals by diving into the latest research and trends relevant to your specific focus areas, offering a deeply engaging learning experience around hockey's future directions.

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Conclusion

This collection reveals clear themes: the growing importance of strategic leadership in team success, the rich cultural history that shapes fan and player identity, and the critical role of drafting and talent evaluation in building champions. If you want to stay ahead of trends, start with "The Franchise" for leadership insights and "Draft Day" for strategic evaluation.

For a deeper appreciation of hockey’s cultural roots, "Winnipeg Jets ice Hockey Team Exploits" and "Freedom to Win" shed light on legacy and resilience, while "Colorado Ice Hockey" offers a regional perspective on the sport’s growth.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Hockey Teams book to apply the newest strategies and latest research to your specific situation. These books deliver the most current 2025 insights and can help you stay ahead of the curve.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "The Franchise" for a broad view of team leadership and strategy, then move to "Draft Day" if you're interested in the specifics of player selection and talent evaluation.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Hockey Teams?

No, books like "Winnipeg Jets ice Hockey Team Exploits" offer accessible storytelling ideal for newcomers, while others provide deeper analysis suitable as your knowledge grows.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with leadership-focused titles like "The Franchise," then explore cultural histories such as "Freedom to Win," and finish with specialized books like "Draft Day" and "Colorado Ice Hockey."

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick based on your interest—whether leadership, history, or draft strategy—but reading multiple offers a richer understanding of Hockey Teams from various angles.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

"The Franchise" and "Draft Day" lean toward practical team-building strategies, while "Freedom to Win" and "Winnipeg Jets ice Hockey Team Exploits" explore historical and cultural theory.

How can I get Hockey Teams insights tailored to my needs without reading multiple full books?

While these expert books provide valuable insights, you can create a personalized Hockey Teams book that focuses on your specific goals and background, delivering targeted, up-to-date strategies efficiently.

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