Hockey Bio Titles

A Stanley Cup champion and modern legend of the game, in his own words Marián Hossa's life is a lesson in the value of determination and perseverance. Born into a hockey family that included his father, a former player and coach of the Slovakian national team, Marián and his brother, Marcel, quickly fell in love with the sport. Before long, they began to display the level of skill that could lead to a professional career. But the odds of reaching the NHL from Tren#&269;ín, a town of 50,000 people nestled among the mountains of Slovakia, remained long. Determined to follow their dreams, the Hossas persevered and were each eventually drafted in the first round. After some outstanding years in Ottawa and Atlanta, Marián moved on to Pittsburgh in 2008, where he helped lead the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Final against Detroit, a series his team lost. Prioritizing winning over dollars, Hossa signed with the Red Wings the following season, where he again reached the Final only to find heartbreak again, improbably against the team he had just left, the Penguins. It seemed that perhaps he would never raise Lord Stanley's Cup above his head. But Hossa persevered, refusing to give in. In 2009, he signed with the Chicago Blackhawks, and played a key role in the team's dynastic run the following decade, winning championships in 2010, 2013, and 2015. Then, yet another obstacle appeared in his path: an unusual and debilitating skin condition that compelled him to retire years before he'd planned.  #&8203; In this inspiring and entertaining autobiography, Hossa brings readers inside the dressing room, onto the celebratory team plane, and alongside one of hockey's greatest stars as he makes the biggest decisions of his career.Also featuring photos from Hossa's personal collection, this is an essential read for all hockey fans.

In the run-up to the NHL Entry Draft in 1992, the Buffalo Sabres interviewed Matthew Barnaby. John Muckler, Buffalo's coach, asked him, "What happens at 8:05 on Saturday night in Detroit when Bob Probert asks you to fight?" When the teenager responded, "That's easy. At 8:03, I'd have already asked Probert to fight," they knew they had to draft him.  Through 14 NHL seasons after that exchange, Barnaby never stopped fighting.  In Unfiltered, the former right wing reflects on the adventures of a high-profile life and the determination that got him there, from getting drafted last in juniors to carving out a role for himself on each new NHL team, to discovering new joys and passions in retirement.  Barnaby also opens up about the memorable hijinks, the larger-than-life hockey characters, and the very real challenges and risks that come with the sport's physicality. Both hilarious and heartrending, this is an unvarnished story of battles fought and lessons learned.

Across more than a thousand games in the National Hockey League, Bernie Nicholls made his mark with flamboyant style and dynamic scoring prowess. In this new autobiography, Nicholls reflects on his life on and off the ice, sharing candid anecdotes and personal insights from across the hockey landscape. From his childhood in the small Northern Ontario town of West Guilford, to his sensational 70-goal season in Los Angeles, and his recent years in coaching and retirement, this is a refreshing chronicle of a legendary career.

In Philadelphia Flyers orange and black, Chris Therien cut an imposing figure on the ice, a stalwart physical presence for over a decade in the NHL. But by the end of his playing career, he was concealing a much greater battle with alcoholism which bled into his professional and family life. <br /><br />The defenseman-turned-analyst now opens up candidly and completely, reflecting on his life and career with perspective gained from over 10 years of sobriety. Therien takes readers from the blue line to the broadcast booth, sharing untold stories from life in pro hockey while laying bare his private struggle with addiction, including his ultimate low in 2006 after the death of his sister. <br /><br /><em>Road to Redemption</em> also details Therien#&39;s deep bond with the city of Philadelphia and his new path helping others find recovery from drug or alcohol abuse. <br /><br /><strong>Hockey fans will not want to miss this heartfelt and vulnerable tale.</strong>

<div>Shawn Thornton was an unlikely NHL success, to say the least. The Oshawa, Ontario native was picked late in the OHL and later thought he was being pranked when the Toronto Maple Leafs called him to say he#&39;d been selected in the seventh round of the 1997 NHL draft. After years spent working and maturing in the AHL, Thornton would go on to play 14 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, and Florida Panthers, winning two Stanley Cups along the way. <br /><br />For the first time, in this candid memoir, Thornton opens up about his life in hockey and beyond, from his early days as an unrated prospect to the leadership lessons he learned in the minors, from the most difficult on-ice brawls to the ecstasy of reaching the sport#&39;s most celestial heights. <br /><br /><strong>Fans will not want to miss this story of perseverance and finding one#&39;s own path.</strong></div>

A multidimensional biography of one of Philadelphia's ultimate power brokers.Most sports team owners make their money elsewhere and purchase a team as an extravagant hobby—but that is not the story of Ed Snider. One of the few owners in history to get control of a franchise by mortgaging nearly everything to his name, the longtime Philadelphia Flyers chairman would go on to form the billion-dollar empire of Comcast-Spectacor and cement his standing as one of the most influential businessmen in the city's history. Snider was ambitious and entrepreneurial, though extraordinarily demanding of those who worked for him. He was affectionate with his loved ones, yet often showed a surprising lack of emotional intelligence. His staunch capitalist beliefs contrasted his progressive-minded views on the business of hockey and in sharing his wealth with those in need. The Last Sports Mogul embraces all sides of Snider to form a complex portrait of the unparalleled figure once named Philadelphia's greatest mover and shaker of the millennium. Thoroughly researched and reported, this is a fascinating business story encompassing humble beginnings, unprecedented success, and the values one chooses at the end of the day.

No job in the world of sports is as intimidating, exhilarating, and stress-ridden as that of a hockey goaltender. Clint Malarchuk did that job while suffering high anxiety, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder and had his career nearly literally cut short by a skate across his neck, to date the most gruesome injury hockey has ever seen. This autobiography takes readers deep into the troubled mind of Malarchuk, the former NHL goaltender for the Quebec Nordiques, the Washington Capitals, and the Buffalo Sabres. When his carotid artery was slashed during a collision in the crease, Malarchuk nearly died on the ice. Forever changed, he struggled deeply with depression and a dependence on alcohol, which nearly cost him his life and left a bullet in his head. In A Matter of Inches, Malarchuk reflects on his past as he looks forward to the future, every day grateful to have cheated death—twice.

Even before the Edmonton Oilers selected him as the first overall draft pick in 2015, it was clear that Connor McDavid was primed to become hockey's next sensation. His electrifying speed, vision, and overall dominance invited comparisons to the generational talents of Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky, and it's no wonder McDavid was quickly named the youngest captain in NHL history after just his rookie season. Now, the young phenom is ready to bring the glory years back to Oil Country. Providing a rare glimpse into McDavid's life and featuring dozens of full-color photos, Connor McDavid: Hockey's Next Great One is a must-have for Oilers fans and anyone who has marveled at No. 97's unparalleled play.

Michigan will never forget Gordie Howe's presence on and off the ice — he combined skill, savvy, strength, meanness and longevity like no other hockey player. Known to generations of fans as Mr. Hockey, Howe passed away on June 10, 2016 at the age of 88. The Detroit Red Wings legend's career spanned from 1946 to 1980, including 25 seasons with the Red Wings. A 23-time NHL All-Star, Howe led the Red Wings to four Stanley Cups, won six Hart Trophies as the league's most valuable player and won six Art Ross Trophies as the NHL's top scorer. When he retired in 1980, he held the NHL records for regular-season goals (801), assists (1,049), points (1,850). In this tribute to the legendary Red Wing that features nearly 100 images, the Detroit Free Press reflects on Howe's life in 128 pages of historic photos and defining stories about Mr. Hockey.

In this honest, no-nonsense book by one of the greatest American stars the NHL has ever known, Jeremy Roenick showcases his skill as a hockey storyteller In his one-of-a-kind way, Roenick shares stories from his 20-year career with the Chicago Blackhawks, Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks, providing an inside perspective on the oddities of life as a pro athlete. He explains why he openly considered the pros and cons of fighting a fan, opens up about tales of partying on road trips, and even how he became friends with former Vice President Dan Quayle. In one chapter, Roenick lends the pen to his wife, Tracy, to tell her side of the story. Nothing is held back as J. R. reveals his opinions about teammates, opponents, and the future of the game.

A guide for sports fans on how to watch and appreciate the game of hockeyMore and more fans are watching the NHL each week, but many of them don't know exactly what they should be watching. How does an offense create shooting lanes for its best sniper? When a center breaks through and splits between two defensemen, which defender is to blame? Why does a goalie look like a Hall of Famer one week and a candidate for the minor leagues the next? This guide for sports fans on how to watch and appreciate the game of hockey takes you inside a coach's mind as he builds a roster or constructs a game plan, to the chaos of the goalie's crease, and deep into the perpetual chess match between offense and defense. Discussing topics such as what to look for when a team goes on the power play and why playing center might be the most grueling job in sports, Take Your Eye Off the Puck shows fans how to get the most out of watching their favorite sport.

The personal account of a promising high school hockey player who survived brain surgery and months of rehabilitation, infections, and temporary paralysis An aspiring hockey star at Minnesota's elite Hill-Murray School, 15-year-old Duke Pieper faced a brain surgery with a five percent survival rate. In I'm Alive: Courage, Hope, and a Miracle, Duke recounts his personal and courageous war against the brain lesion that threatened his life and his fearless battle to restore normalcy to his life. Battling through months of paralysis, multiple surgeries, massive nerve damage, and more, Duke had to relearn how to breathe, swallow, walk, talk, and live again. This inspiring young man shares how his strength and adaptation to his disabilities inspired him to build a platform to assist others who have succumbed to monumental loss. I'm Alive is a heartwarming, wonderful acclaim to a young man who never gave up, and who has become an iconic inspiration to all who know him.

An irreverent, raucous account of Chelios's life and 26 seasons in the NHL From being inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013, to serving in an executive role on the Detroit Red Wings, and signing on to become an NHL analyst for Fox Sports 1, Chris Chelios has proven himself to be a man of many talents and here he tells his story. Drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1981, Chelios enjoyed a long career in the NHL, playing for 26 seasons for the Canadiens as well as the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings, two diehard hockey markets in which he has become a beloved figure. From the 1992 Stanley Cup final to the 2006 Winter Olympics team, Chelios shares his achievements on the ice while providing new information on his life off it to readers, making this autobiography a must-have not only for Chelios fans, but anyone who loves the game of hockey.

From being inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013, to serving in an executive role on the Detroit Red Wings, and signing on to become an NHL analyst for Fox Sports 1, Chris Chelios has proven himself to be a man of many talents and here he tells his story. Drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1981, Chelios enjoyed a long career in the NHL, playing for 26 seasons for the Canadiens as well as the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings, two diehard hockey markets in which he has become a beloved figure. From the 1992 Stanley Cup final to the 2006 Winter Olympics team, Chelios shares his achievements on the ice while providing new information on his life off it to readers, making this autobiography a must-have not only for Chelios fans, but anyone who loves the game of hockey.

The autobiography of one of hockey’s first rebels and a beloved member of the “Big Bad Bruins,” this book shares how Derek Sanderson’s ferocious style helped lead the team to two Stanley Cup victories in the early 1970s. Living life in the fast lane, Sanderson grew his hair long, developed a serious drinking problem, and eventually found himself out of the league and prowling the streets for his next drink. In this autobiography, Sanderson comes clean on his life in hockey, the demons that threatened to consume him, and the strength and courage it took to fight his way back. Today a successful entrepreneur and speaker, Sanderson’s incredible story is a must read for any fan of hockey.