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Hockey’s Hottest Defencemen

by James Duplacey

Hockey’s Hottest Centers

by James Duplacey

The Hockey’s Hottest series, by former Hockey Hall of Fame curator James Duplacey, follows a simple format. Each book has a brief biographical sketch and large colour photos of 15 star players. Thankfully these books are more than a collection of sports cards. While the sketches contain some statistics, such as Wayne Gretzky has set or tied over 60 NHL records, and Al MacInnis shoots the puck at over 160 km/h, most of the text is devoted to the individual talents each player brings to the game. Keith Primeau, for example, may not be a leader in scoring goals but few can match his ability at checking. Small size, usually a drawback, helps Saku Koivu manoeuvre in tight corners. Mark Messier scored only one goal in his first pro season but went on to become one of the highest scorers ever.

Duplacey also takes care to emphasize the role human values can play in moulding some hockey players. Chris Phillips, now a star defenceman with the Ottawa Senators, had to give up junior hockey for a time to care for his mother who became paralyzed and his father who went blind. The experience made the young Phillips grow in maturity and when he finally made the NHL he was able to control the game, according to Duplacey, in a way that only a mature player could.

Hockey’s Hottest series could be called picture books of the NHL, with fold-out banners and large action photographs of the players outweighing the text. Geared to young readers, these books may be best suited for reluctant elementary school students. Those who have an aversion to the written word may just be enticed into independent reading by the appeal of NHL stars.

 

Reviewer: Tom Shardlow

Publisher: Kids Can Press

DETAILS

Price: $6.95

Page Count: 32 pp

Format: Paper

ISBN: 1-55074-683-9

Released: Jan.

Issue Date: 1999-2

Categories:

Age Range: ages 8–12

Reviewer: Tom Shardlow

Publisher: Kids Can Press

DETAILS

Price: $6.95

Page Count: 32 pp

Format: Paper

ISBN: 1-55074-681-2

Released: Jan.

Issue Date: February 1, 1999

Categories:

Age Range: ages 8–12