Hockey occupies a prominent place in the Canadian cultural lexicon, as evidenced by the wealth of hockey-centred stories and novels published within Canada. In this exciting new work, Jason Blake takes readers on a thematic journey through Canadian hockey literature, examining five common themes - nationhood, the hockey dream, violence, national identity, and family - as they appear in hockey fiction.

Blake examines the work of such authors as Mordecai Richler, David Adams Richards, Paul Quarrington, and Richard B. Wright, arguing that a study of contemporary hockey fiction exposes a troubled relationship with the national sport. Rather than the storybook happy ending common in sports literature of previous generations, Blake finds that today's fiction portrays hockey as an often-glorified sport that in fact leads to broken lives and ironic outlooks. The first book to focus exclusively on hockey in print, Canadian Hockey Literature is an accessible work that challenges popular perceptions of a much-beloved national pastime.

Soft Skiing is unique among many how-to-ski-better books-full of practical, easy-to-follow and immediately effective ski coaching ideas, it's also a collection of personal memories by one of America's best known ski instructors, Lito Tejada-Flores. Lito is the author of Breakthrough On The New Skis, and the creator of the Breakthrough-On-Skis video series. He has never followed the "party-line" of official ski teaching orthodoxy, and his Breakthrough on Skis books are amongst the best selling ski instruction books of all time. In this book, Lito breaks new ground, focusing 100% on the art of skiing in a relaxed, energy-efficient manner, a style of virtually effortless expert skiing that is ideally suited to older skiers. In his easy-to-follow conversational style, Lito reveals the secrets of skiing all day, on all terrain, without fatigue, without a moment of struggle or stress. Actually this is a book for all skiers but more than anything it is a gift for older skiers looking for grace, elegance and efficiency rather than aggressive daring-do on the slopes. This is a book that will change skiing lives, expand skiing horizons.

What hockey team is the best ever on ice? What hockey records will stand forever? Which hockey teams buckled under pressure? Which franchises are cursed? Who should be in the Hall of Fame, and who shouldn't be? Is Roy the best goalie to play the game? Should fighting be banned? In "Let's Talk Hockey," hockey enthusiast Phil Schlenker debates these issues and more in the world of hockey.

Based on years of personal experiences and research, "Let's Talk Hockey, /i> dissects fifty of the most popular debates in the game including The greatest coach of all time Top sentimental moments The best trades Why fans boo the national anthem Ten games you need to see before you die Hockey's worst injuries The greatest goalies Appealing to the average hockey fan, "Let's Talk Hockey" provides a humorous, comprehensive, and easy-to-read discussion of sweet goals, scintillating saves, and exciting end-to-end rushes. It provides vivid descriptions of the people and places that play a role in this fastest sport that doesn't have an engine.

Ruth Merry was born disabled with Arthogryposis and has spent her life in a wheelchair. An avid swimmer and skier Ruth's dream, was to one day tackle the Bobsleigh. This is the incredible true story of how a chance comment to a friend led to the olympic Bobsleigh track in Innsbruck in Austria. This story is told from two perspectives - Ruth as the disabled traveller and her friend Steve who made the trip with her. Fascinating and worrying insights into the challenges facing those in wheelchairs. This though provoking and heartwarming story shows how the human spirit can overcome the incredible odds. The book also includes the amazing story of Amar Latif the blind person that won the Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year Award and founded the travel company Traveleyes.

Modern amateurs can be found throughout art, science, sport and entertainment. When examining amateurs in sport most of the research has predominantly focussed on amateur players and little attention has been given to amateur coaches. The goal of this book was to explore the world of amateur hockey coaches, in hopes of generating grounded theory and of developing a better understanding of coaching, as well as contributing to the existing literature on modern amateurs. What was of interest and importance was the coaches' attitudes and perceptions about their coaching orientations, responsibilities, commitments, and conflicts. Their definitions and perspectives of their situations, as well as their values and philosophies were the most important elements of the study. This research should be of interest to those interested in hockey, coaching, the Sociology of Sport, and the study of serious leisure.

This study explores decision making amongst ski area management. In particular, it examined how managers are challenged by the risk and uncertainty as a result of weather and visitor activity patterns. Ski operations in southern British Columbia were chosen for study because of the importance of ski operations to the economy of this region as well as the challenging and variable weather events they have recently experienced. For example, this area hosts international and regional visitors as well as major events like the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Paralympic Games events. As a result, there is considerable interest in creating ski conditions that are of international calibre. The analysis should help to answer the questions: - What procedures are used to make decisions when weather-based probabilities and outcomes are uncertain? - What is the effect of climate variability on ski area operation decision making? - What weather specific risk management policies and procedures have been instituted to deal with uncertainty? - What is the adaptive capacity of ski areas regarding climate change risk, threats and opportunities? - How do trends within the evolving ski industry and ski market influence management decision making? This book is addressed to professionals in the ski industry among other recreation fields. It is also directed towards researchers in the recreation, leisure and tourism fields.

Events are one of the most exciting and one of the fastest growing forms of tourism. The aim of this research is to determine the impact of local events on the travel motivation of South German ski and snowboard instructors. It outlines the existing literature about Events and Motivation and discusses the existing research paradigm and data collecting methods. A hypothesis was worked out by the researcher and a questionnaire was sent to South German ski and snowboard instructors to examine the influence of events on the decision making process and to identify the change of travel motivation by events. Addressed at ski-resort managers and at event organisers will this work of research help to identify the main reasons to travel to a ski-resort as well as the importance of events in ski-resorts.

Hard-hitting, nonstop action (and that's just what happens off the ice).

Hockey is the fastest of all team sports―an emotional, exhilarating, and highly entertaining blend of speed, finesse, intensity, and bone-crunching physical impact. And the NHL's Nashville Predators are, in every respect, a team to watch. But the story leading up to, and through, the Predators' triumphant first season is every bit as exciting as the game itself.

"Hockey Tonk" tells of one man's dream of bringing a pro team to a city best known for its music industry. The journey from that dream to its fulfillment in an arena filled with 17,000 screaming fans is a story of vision, passion, hard work, perseverance, and commitment to long-term success. It's a story of teamwork and hard-nosed competition, both on and off the ice.

Just a few short years ago, the majority of Nashville, Tennessee, didn't know the difference between a blue line and a line dance. But now Music City has become a pro sports town, thanks to a fiercely competitive hockey team, its business-and community-minded front office, and fan support that, according to "USA Today," is second to none.

This book is about Alpine ski Touring and takes you through a step by step guide on everything that you need to know to get you from a novice ski tourer into the professional. It covers all the salient points for moving on skis and explains how the technical equipment should be used including all the skills that are required to start touring as well as leading a group. It can also be used as a guide for off piste skiers and snow boarders as well as Telemark and Nordic tourers. Each chapter has its own topic as the book takes you through well laid out progressions from your first steps uphill to longer tours moving from hut to hut over glaciated terrain. The photographs complement the text in every way giving a clearer picture of what the equipment looks like and how it should be used. Nothing has been left out and some of the chapters explain all the points to be considered when planning a tour, or overnighting, as well as emergency procedures. And to make the tour safer there are chapters on avalanche awareness and weather. By the time you get to the end of the book you will be armed with all the skills, techniques and knowledge needed to go out and enjoy the sport of ski touring.

A captivating collection of short reads for hockey fans centered around the trials, tribulations and joys of growing up ice hockey. Told with wit and wisdom and contrived to verse, this engaging collection is sure to become a hockey fiction cult classic. Written to delight players young and old, parents, coaches, or anyone who has participated in, or experienced the wonderful world of youth hockey in any way. The driving force, power and pace of the fantasy hockey poetry flows through the metered verse, forming an electric undercurrent to the game as seen through the eyes of the players. The short read format lends itself to both the hockey commute and the warm room.
As the title implies, the book is divided into three sections:
Verses: presented with simplicity for youth reading enjoyment, these offerings span player attributes, attitudes and offer encouragement to young players;
Myths: Short metrical stories based on a shred of truth, but spun to yarns, most written in an easy read format.
Legends: A hat trick of pulsing hockey entertainment. My Antarctica is the initial adventure of the young hockey Goalie King to a special slumber land. He successfully lures the Buffalo Sabres to a quest for his Frozen Cup against his rollicking Penguins team. No, not those Pens from Pittsburgh... real ones, the Arctic Burrs. A sequel finds the King seeking NHL quality training by bringing his now mature Burrs to Buffalo to engage both the Sabres and the Niagara University Purple Eagles in another dream adventure. A third legend opens the door on a stick-on-stick tale of a small-town teen street hockey tournament contrived towin the local sports bar's paper replica of the Stanley Cup.

Featuring the insights, strategies, and experiences of the sport's top coaches, The Hockey Coaching Bible sets a new standard for those who teach the game, develop the players, and dominate the ice. Whether head coach or assistant, at the youth level or professional, you will find a wealth of information to improve performance and strengthen your program. You'll go inside the game with 16 of hockey's most respected teachers: * Joe Bertagna * Bill Cleary * Tom Anastos * Guy Gadowsky * Mike Schafer * Marty Palma * Hal Tearse * Mike Cavanaugh * Jack Parker * Rick Comley * Mark Dennehy * Ben Smith * E.J. McGuire * George Gwozdecky * Nate Leaman * Mike Eaves Every facet of coaching is covered. The book features the most effective drills for developing players at each position and in-game strategies for various game situations, including offensive, defensive, and neutral-zone play and power plays and penalty kills. In addition to on-ice Xs and Os, you'll find sage advice for building a program from the ground up, furthering your professional development as a coach, and gaining community and parental support for projecting a positive image and earning the respect of your players and supporters. Never has there been a more comprehensive coaching resource on the game. With The Hockey Coaching Bible, you'll build your program into a powerhouse.

Skiing and wildlife are both victims of misinformation, which produces needless adversity. Ski trails can restore wildlife habitat by facilitating thinning, prescribed fire, and diverting recreation away from wilderness.

Everything you'll need to know to enjoy cross-country skiing in the Sierra Nevada.
"Cross-Country Skiing in the Sierra Nevada" provides detailed descriptions of 13 cross-country ski resorts in California and Nevada, including favorite trails, races and events, five reasons to go to that resort--even summer bonus items. Learn how to ski, what to wear, how to stay safe on the trail, and most importantly, how to have fun. To zero in on the best ski area for you, turn to "Best Ski Areas to..." for the best places to see beautiful views, get good grub, ski all day long, the best place to ski on a snowy day and much more. 30 black & white photos, 13 maps.

A simplified approach to learning the basics needed to start skiing like an expert, applicable to both established skiers and beginners.

"The premier guide to modern riding, from one of the sport's best coaches."
--Tim Windell, two-time World Cup co-champion

In "The Art of Snowboarding," USSA-certified club coach Jim Smith introduces you to the most popular tricks and stunts, including kickers (jumps) and other freestyle and half-pipe techniques, and stunts on rails and wood. He gives special emphasis to proper stance and turning techniques as the basis for more advanced moves. Time-lapse photographs demonstrate every step of every trick and technique, and dozens of additional photos show you the form of some of the country's best riders.

In the glamorous, ultra-competitive world of figure skating, Katarina Witt is a living legend. She has won more titles than anyone else before her , including two Olympic gold medals, four world championships, and eight national championships. She is also renowned for independence and self-possession in a world where many stars are in thrall to management companies, and for her ability to stay true to skating while developing new careers in business, movies and television. Witt has always done whatever she's done with all her heart , with passion, intelligence, and a love of perfection. Now, in Only with Passion, she offers advice to a new generation of women athletes making their way in the world on how to live full out, compete with edge, and navigate life with grace. When a young skater consults her for advice on whether to train abroad , and leave a boyfriend behind , Witt finds occasion to recall the major turning points of her own journey, from her East German childhood to the international spotlight. She shares her inside perspective and frank opinions on the insular world of skating and offers her views about what it takes to be a champion, and to create a fulfilling life. Whether she's talking about life on or off the ice (or on the cover of Playboy !), Witt is always candid, fresh, and down-to-earth. Written with E.M. Swift, author of My Sergei , one of the best-selling skating books of all time, Only with Passion is the perfect gift for young women, young athletes ,particularly skaters , and skating fans of all ages.

Originally published in London 1927. The illustrated contents include: Where to Go - Equipment - Ski-ing Tests and Clubs - Ski Touring - Avalanches - Racing on Skis - Curling - Figure Skating. Etc. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

When the 2004-2005 NHL lockout was realized, Sweden, Russia, Switzerland, Finland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Germany eagerly absorbed foreigners and locals alike, as out-of-work NHLers looked to keep their game sharp and give back to the communities that taught them to play. Little did they know how much of the experience would prepare them for the new NHL. Join them on this ultimate hockey road trip through Europe in the locker rooms, on the ice and in the streets. Sit behind Jaromir Jagr's mother in Kladno. Admire the Alps with Joe Thornton and Rick Nash. Walk through a pine forest to Peter Forsberg's childhood rink. Debate with Russian police at the Dynamo arena to meet Alexander Ovechkin before he became an NHL star. And experience all the adventures of dozens of NHLers like Danny Briere, Martin St. Louis, Alexei Kovalev, Ilya Kovalchuk, Alexei Yashin, Mike Knuble, Henrik Lundqvist, Zdeno Chara, Daniel Alfredsson, Saku Koivu, Miroslav Satan, Martin Brodeur, Sergei Fedorov and Dominic Hasek. The pain of lost dreams from a canceled season may be turned aside, but these experiences will never be forgotten.

Guided by a strange epiphany, Richard Phipps traveled to Japan with $600 and a pair of skis. The result, "Skiing Zen," is much more than a ski adventure. It is a tapestry of thought about sports and awareness, about differences between Eastern and Western thinking, and about individualism amidst group pressure.

Woven into the travel anecdotes, cultural insights, and skiing action are intriguing concepts such as the spectrum of attention and distraction, the evolving spiral of learning, the power of guided imagery, and the correlation between Zen and love. Stunning in scope and yet penetrating in its earnest insight, Phipps is indeed "Searching for the Spirituality of Sport,"

The real mogul-skiing instruction you're looking for. Whether you want to ski gentle moguls with comfort and confidence, turn heads on your local mogul run, or compete in mogul contests, this book will give you the specialized techniques you need to reach your goal. In this first-of-its-kind book, mogul-skiing competitor Dan DiPiro reveals techniques that have remained largely unknown and unaddressed outside of competitive mogul-skiing circles. Most skiers try to ski moguls using only groomed-trail techniques, says DiPiro. But the bumps require a special set of techniques that have nothing to do with groomed-trail skiing. With an understanding of these special techniques, most fit, expert skiers can become good mogul skiers, and some can become excellent mogul skiers and even mogul competitors. For the aspiring mogul skier, this book is full of invaluable instruction. For the seasoned bumper, it's an ideal tune-up guide and a long-awaited affirmation. For all skiers interested in broadening their understanding of downhill skiing excellence, it's an original, eye-opening read.

Originally published in 1922, this is an excellent ski-manual, focussing on skiing turns, and containing much information still of practical use today. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Hesperides Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. Contents Include: The Use Of The Turns - How To Practise The Turns - Cross Country Hints - Steering, Etc, In Skid Turning - Straight Running - Normal Position - Telemark Position - Step Turn - Stem Turn - Telemark Turn - Stem Telemark Turn - Open Christiania Turn - Jump Turn - Stem Christiania Turn - Step Christiania Turn - Pure Christiania Turn - Appendix - Rudder Action In Skid Turning