Books on the NHL

igor7111 · 10-12-2017, 03:04 PM

Are there any decent books around dealing with the history of the NHL?
I've found one called "The Original Six" that seems half decent but I'm looking for something a little more comprehensive. Any ideas out there?

Torgonius · 10-12-2017, 04:00 PM

This one is about 20 years old, but if you're looking for original 6 and other history, you'll love it.

Total Hockey

JeffR · 10-12-2017, 04:30 PM

...but you want the second edition, since I made it into the credits in that one.

Going through Wikipedia's season-by-season articles is actually a pretty effective way of learning the history, they're reasonably accurate, concise, and give you the key details.

The NHL published an official history a few years ago (The Official Illustrated NHL History: The Official History of the Coolest Game on Earth) and has updated it a couple of times; since it's a few years out of date now you can find copies pretty cheaply. I've only glanced through it, but it looked fairly thorough (if obviously slanted to an NHL-friendly presentation.)

igor7111 · 10-12-2017, 05:19 PM

Thanks for the replies!

dave1927p · 10-13-2017, 11:05 PM

I guess it all depends on what you're looking for.

This one was great:
http://www.hockeybookreviews.com/201...-by-darcy.html
It's on for $5.00 clearance at chapters right now...not sure if you're canadian. This may be closer to what you are looking for but because it covers such a large scope it doesn't go into huge detail. I'd still highly recommend it.

https://www.amazon.ca/Rebel-League-U.../dp/077108949X
This was a good one to learn more about the NHLs "competition"

https://www.amazon.ca/Great-Expansio...reat+expansion
This author did some excellent research. I recall thinking in this book you can tell it's his first. Overall it was enjoyable though.

https://www.amazon.ca/Money-Players-...ockey+business
This one was my favorite back in the day. (i think this is the newer one but not available still https://www.amazon.ca/Money-Players-...7951180&sr=1-5)

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/111...SIN=1118095006
Russia's impact on NHL is explored in this. Focus on the first Solviet Unions players to defect to america.

http://www.circanow.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ID=108
This one i had bought, it's crazy expensive. I also had got the signed Brian Burke Toronto Maple Leaf Edition. UGH!

I bought all these but came across a couple of them at my local library...maybe yours might have them too. I used to read alot of hockey history books but got away from it for the last couple years. For the most part, i stuck with ones that followed more the business side of it.

And I couldn't help myself but to say this one

not for everyone...
https://www.amazon.ca/Don-Cherrys-Ho...rds=don+cherry

JeffR · 10-13-2017, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave1927p

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/111...SIN=1118095006
Russia's impact on NHL is explored in this. Focus on the first Solviet Unions players to defect to america.

Lawrence Martin's The Red Machine is better on Soviet hockey and goes back farther, but it's tough to find now - $50+ on Amazon for a used copy.

Chomps · 10-14-2017, 09:36 AM

I have enjoyed reading Wayne Gretzky's 99. He covers the history of hockey.

Puckhead · 10-14-2017, 10:37 AM

Sorry, double post. Take a look under Adam's post.

Adam B · 10-14-2017, 04:03 PM

Recently I've been Reading

One Night Only and Hockey Card Stories. Both by Ken Reid and fantastic.

https://www.amazon.ca/One-Night-Only...nly+-+ken+reid

https://www.amazon.ca/Hockey-Card-St...B90MYAPXVCBMEM

EDIT:

Just really re-read the title so let me add a few more;

Best of the Original Six is a pretty good read: https://www.amazon.ca/Best-Original-...1Z9BMQE0KAQ4HY

If you're wanting a little more new stuff again, I would recommend checking out:

Hockey Night Fever Cover some early but focuses on the 1970s, - https://www.amazon.ca/Hockey-Night-F...1Z9BMQE0KAQ4HY

A little more dry from what I've heard (but it's on my to read list) is Changing the Game: A History of Expansion - https://www.amazon.ca/Changing-Game-...CHDT2JHNYBB0B7

Puckhead · 10-15-2017, 02:09 AM

One pretty good written book with a personal story but with views into the 1960s and 1970s, I would recommend Derek Sandersons "Crossing the Line". Interesting stuff.

https://www.amazon.ca/Crossing-Line-...+crossing+line

10-12-2017, 03:04 PM	#1
igor7111 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Hawaii Posts: 123	Books on the NHL Are there any decent books around dealing with the history of the NHL? I've found one called "The Original Six" that seems half decent but I'm looking for something a little more comprehensive. Any ideas out there?

10-13-2017, 11:05 PM	#5
dave1927p FHM Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Brantford, ON Posts: 2,888	I guess it all depends on what you're looking for. This one was great: http://www.hockeybookreviews.com/201...-by-darcy.html It's on for $5.00 clearance at chapters right now...not sure if you're canadian. This may be closer to what you are looking for but because it covers such a large scope it doesn't go into huge detail. I'd still highly recommend it. https://www.amazon.ca/Rebel-League-U.../dp/077108949X This was a good one to learn more about the NHLs "competition" https://www.amazon.ca/Great-Expansio...reat+expansion This author did some excellent research. I recall thinking in this book you can tell it's his first. Overall it was enjoyable though. https://www.amazon.ca/Money-Players-...ockey+business This one was my favorite back in the day. (i think this is the newer one but not available still https://www.amazon.ca/Money-Players-...7951180&sr=1-5) https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/111...SIN=1118095006 Russia's impact on NHL is explored in this. Focus on the first Solviet Unions players to defect to america. http://www.circanow.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ID=108 This one i had bought, it's crazy expensive. I also had got the signed Brian Burke Toronto Maple Leaf Edition. UGH! I bought all these but came across a couple of them at my local library...maybe yours might have them too. I used to read alot of hockey history books but got away from it for the last couple years. For the most part, i stuck with ones that followed more the business side of it. And I couldn't help myself but to say this one not for everyone... https://www.amazon.ca/Don-Cherrys-Ho...rds=don+cherry __________________ IN 1964 THE LEAFS WON THE STANLEY CUP :: IT'S ALSO THE YEAR THE CANADIAN FLAG WAS DESIGNED...coincidence? Last edited by dave1927p; 10-13-2017 at 11:37 PM.

10-14-2017, 10:37 AM	#8
Puckhead Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Germany Posts: 162	Sorry, double post. Take a look under Adam's post. Last edited by Puckhead; 10-15-2017 at 02:12 AM.

10-14-2017, 04:03 PM	#9
Adam B Hockey Community Manager Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: A Hockey Rink Posts: 2,369	Recently I've been Reading One Night Only and Hockey Card Stories. Both by Ken Reid and fantastic. https://www.amazon.ca/One-Night-Only...nly+-+ken+reid https://www.amazon.ca/Hockey-Card-St...B90MYAPXVCBMEM EDIT: Just really re-read the title so let me add a few more; Best of the Original Six is a pretty good read: https://www.amazon.ca/Best-Original-...1Z9BMQE0KAQ4HY If you're wanting a little more new stuff again, I would recommend checking out: Hockey Night Fever Cover some early but focuses on the 1970s, - https://www.amazon.ca/Hockey-Night-F...1Z9BMQE0KAQ4HY A little more dry from what I've heard (but it's on my to read list) is Changing the Game: A History of Expansion - https://www.amazon.ca/Changing-Game-...CHDT2JHNYBB0B7 Last edited by Adam B; 10-14-2017 at 11:46 PM.

10-12-2017, 04:00 PM	#2
Torgonius All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 826	This one is about 20 years old, but if you're looking for original 6 and other history, you'll love it. Total Hockey

10-12-2017, 04:30 PM	#3
JeffR FHM Producer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Kelowna, BC Posts: 16,623	...but you want the second edition, since I made it into the credits in that one. Going through Wikipedia's season-by-season articles is actually a pretty effective way of learning the history, they're reasonably accurate, concise, and give you the key details. The NHL published an official history a few years ago (The Official Illustrated NHL History: The Official History of the Coolest Game on Earth) and has updated it a couple of times; since it's a few years out of date now you can find copies pretty cheaply. I've only glanced through it, but it looked fairly thorough (if obviously slanted to an NHL-friendly presentation.)

10-12-2017, 05:19 PM	#4
igor7111 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Hawaii Posts: 123	Thanks for the replies!

10-14-2017, 09:36 AM	#7
Chomps Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Taiwan Posts: 445	I have enjoyed reading Wayne Gretzky's 99. He covers the history of hockey.

10-15-2017, 02:09 AM	#10
Puckhead Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Germany Posts: 162	One pretty good written book with a personal story but with views into the 1960s and 1970s, I would recommend Derek Sandersons "Crossing the Line". Interesting stuff. https://www.amazon.ca/Crossing-Line-...+crossing+line