Customer Reviews

Power Play: An Inside Look at the Big Business of the National Hockey League

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Gil Stein has written an absorbing account of a dangerous sport, not of its playing action, but of the violent skirmishes of its owners as they meet behind the closed doors of the NHL's Board of Governors executive sessions. They make the game on ice look like Sunday afternoon croquet on the lawn of the Baptist Church. This is a wonderful behind-the-scenes book; but it is not all disillusioning. A number of the original clubowners were real sportsmen devoted to the game of ice hockey and its glorious action, although some can no longer afford the financial losses and have had to sell their teams to extremely wealthy patrons or to corporate monoliths, both with a bottom-line myopia. In the 1996-97 season, almost 200 players received guaranteed salaries of over a million dollars; "but money has not spoiled hockey players. They still play the game with zeal and ferocity and NHL hockey is more exciting today than ever. The players may have lots of money, but deep inside they are the same kids who learned to skate on frozen ponds and dreamed every night of their lives that someday they would hoist the Stanley Cup above their heads while skating a victory lap before their fans." It is this excitement that Gil Stein captures in his book and the ferocity too of owners warring with each other out of the view of the public. It is all there and all fun to read. Just as Gil Stein has enjoyed the game of hockey, he has enjoyed writing this book, and you too will enjoy its reading. Don't miss the splendid introduction on pages xi to xv. John L. Dusseau (gilbi@msn.com) Gladwyne, Pennsylvania

This book has been slammed by others, but I have to say, it is one of the must read books on this time period in the NHL. In my opinion, read this, along with Game Misconduct by Russ Conway and Cracked Ice by Stan Fischler. The three books will give you a pretty good idea of what really went on. This book is well written, and interesting from beginning to end. It goes fast, but you will enjoy it.

BY DAN MORELAND

Of the four major sports, the most volatile when it comes to it's management is the National Hockey League.

"Power Plays" is the first book I can think of to truly expose the inner workings of the NHL. Told from an insider's point of view, this is a must for any fan of the sport. Especially enjoyable were the retellings of the NHL-WHA merger and the referee walkout during the NJ-Boston playoff game.

Most of the book is hard to put down, but there are two chapters that make it drag. One is how Clarence Campbell was overthrown as NHL Prez in the 1970s. Stein then uses the final chapter to defend the Hall of Fame's decision to induct him while still President in 1993, a read that seems to drag on forever.

Nonetheless, "Power Plays" is the only recent insider's look into the wackiest of the 4 big leagues. Plus, the first few chapters about the Broad Street Bullies are priceless!

Since the book was written in 1997, the crazy goings on with the Islanders, Coyotes, Hurricanes, and Penguins franchises of the last few years is not included. Nor are other great hockey tales such as Eric Lindros and other players battles with management; or the Marty McSorely incident.

Al Stracken? Al Morganti? Possible books, guys? . . . .