Simply the Best: Insights and Strategies from Great Hockey Coaches [Paperback]

Mike Johnston (Editor), Ryan Walters (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2004

The book borrows its title from the hit Tina Turner song and delivers rare insights of success, straight from the hearts and minds of Stanley Cup winning coaches. It also features NHL and Olympic coaches. Recognised as the greatest coaches in the game, these 'elite 12' openly discuss in their own words strategies that have made them successful. Coaching wisdom, as never before published, flows from the pages of this remarkable book. Everyone is a coach; no matter if it's raising children, coaching a youth sports team, being the project team leader at work, teaching students in a classroom, or managing employees in a corporation. Great coaches have to be able to provide direction and vision, stay on a firm path while also recognising when change is needed, motivate, maximise the potential of their people, and deal with adversity. As seen here, the coaches' techniques, strategies, and personalities are varied, but deep down they all have that special something that allows them to be champions. These world-renowned hockey visionaries take readers into the players' dressing rooms and onto the ice and explain what it takes to be a champion at hockey. But, as readers will see, these mastered principles of coaching success are also relevant 'off ice', so that people in all walks of life, from managers to moms, can win their own Stanley Cups. The 12 coaches in "Simply the Best" have spent a lifetime in the pursuit of understanding how to win. Now, so will you!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mike Johnston has been the associate coach of the Vancouver Canucks since 1999. His extensive hockey career includes coach of Canada's National Men's Team, assistant coach on the 1998 Winter Olympics team, assistant coach of Canada's junior team, coach of the University of New Brunswick men's Varsity Reds hockey team, where he was selected coach of the year in 1994, and coach of the Canada Selects. Ryan Walter retired from professional hockey in 1993 after playing 15 seasons in the NHL. Drafted second overall by the Washington Capitals in 1978, he played four years with that organisation, and went on to play nine seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, winning a Stanley Cup in 1986. He played his last two years with the Vancouver Canucks. Since retiring, Ryan has been involved with TV broadcasting. He is actively involved in building the largest hockey content site on the Internet.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Heritage House Publishing (November 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1894384814
• ISBN-13: 978-1894384810
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,670,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for any hockey coach, April 16, 2007

By 

Ballgame (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Simply the Best: Insights and Strategies from Great Hockey Coaches (Paperback)

This is a great book and a must for any hockey coach. Where else can you get the mind set of so many great coaches? The George Kingston section alone is priceless and I didnt even know who he was! This isnt a book on X's and O's. Its a book on motivation and leadership. Something that carries over into the "real" world....or at least anything outside of hockey.
I use the info in this book everyday

Highlights are George Kingston, Clare Drake, and Pat Quinn. Spend the $15-$20. Trust me

5.0 out of 5 stars Visions for Leadership, April 9, 2006

By 

Coach "Alan" (Washington, DC area) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Simply the Best: Insights and Strategies from Great Hockey Coaches (Paperback)

This book is a must read for the dedicated hockey coach. The 12 coaches interviewed (pro, semi-pro and college) offer their philosophies on "leading" people. The other reviewer is correct. This is not a guide to developing strategy. Rather, a very effective way to explore how you evaluate and develop players, how you create team, how you develop yourself as a coach with a vision, and how you implement the vision. This book is an honest examination by the most successful coaches of their successes, failures, the challenges of being a coach, leading players, and balancing work and life. If you approach coaching hockey as a "calling," to help improve young men and women, you will read and re-read this book constantly.

5.0 out of 5 stars Insights, March 6, 2006

By 

Eric R. Rink - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Simply the Best: Insights and Strategies from Great Hockey Coaches (Paperback)

Good book. It's basically an interview process with all the coaches listed where they write the question asked followed by the response from the coach, with most of the questions being the same. There is little strategy discussed in the book which was the only disapointment I had. Other then that, it's fantastic for anyone in the coaching bussiness or in managenement. Some of the coaches don't go into great detail on things or give short answers, but I'd recommend it for an hockey lover.