So You Want to Play in the NHL : A Guide for Young Players [Paperback]

Dan Bylsma (Author), Jay Bylsma (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

What does it take to make it in pro hockey? Los Angeles Kings forward Dan Bylsma and his father, Jay, offer a wealth of inside information for young players. Dan Bylsma shares his experiences rising up through the ranks of amateur and professional hockey while giving advice on issues including becoming a team player, knowing the rules, relating to coaches and teammates, and working hard.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In today's jaded sports world filled with pampered, trash-talking athletes, perhaps only a hockey player could write a book extolling the value of such old-school customs as practice, teamwork, personal responsibility, hard work, and perseverance. This book of life lessons is geared for younger readers. The Bylsmas previously published a book aimed at parents, So Your Son Wants To Play in the NHL (Sleeping Bear, 1998), and Dan Bylsma currently plays in the NHL himself. In addition to focusing on the eternal truths noted above, this book also discusses more specific topics for aspiring players: whether to play travel hockey, how to choose a hockey camp, and how to get a college scholarship. It also offers advice on how a child can try to deal with difficult situations involving coaches and loud, critical, pushy parents a phenomenon we see more and more with youth sports programs. Recommended for school and public libraries. John Maxymuk, Rutgers Univ. Lib., Camden, NJ
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Dan Bylsma is a member of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League. Along with his father, Jay, he wrote So Your Son Wants to Play in the NHL in 1998.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809299526
• ISBN-13: 978-0809299522
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #657,475 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hockey With A Purpose, February 22, 2001

By 

Terry Vayda (Bradenton, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: So You Want to Play in the NHL : A Guide for Young Players (Paperback)

After receiving the book, I read it throughout the day as opportunity presented itself. I hated to put it down when I had other stuff to do. I felt like I was being forced to leave the game before it was over. I was enchanted by the book as if I'd never read it before, thrilled to play a role by helping with it and to be mentioned in this wonderful contribution to amateur hockey. As I read it, I thought about my roles as a father of a young player, as a coach, and as a coaching educator for USA Hockey. Two overwhelming thoughts came to mind as I read the printed version of the book. The truth conveyed by the material and the fact that at times I fall short of the goals conveyed by that truth from a child's perspective. Even though I speak or write about and teach many of these things quite often, I found myself addressing my mistakes in each of my roles as I read the book. But, even as I found myself addressing my mistakes, I was simultaneously using the ideas in the book to reaffirm many of my beliefs or to assimilate these ideas to address issues from a different perspective. And as stated in the book, perseverance is a key to success. Taking responsibility is a key to success. Learning from mistakes or failure is what truly makes you better. "So You Want To Play In The NHL" has given me additional impetus in my goal to constantly strive to improve as a father, a coach and a coaching educator. Thank you for taking the time to inspire even us older hockey guys with a book written for kids, because really, we are all still kids at heart! By addressing the issues from a kid's perspective for kids, I believe you have succeeded in reaching adults as well. The heart of this old kid is much better as a result of the time and effort you have taken to share your thoughts with the hockey world. This new book, "So You Want To Play In The NHL", for kids, and the existing book for adults, "So Your Son Wants To Play In The NHL", set the standards by which all of us in the sporting world should continually strive to achieve. Cordially, Terry Vayda USA Hockey Associate Coach-In-Chief (Southeast District--Florida)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, September 27, 2001

By 

Bob (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: So You Want to Play in the NHL : A Guide for Young Players (Paperback)

I actually bought this book from the Dan Bylsma WEB site. THe book was sent autographed to my son for this past Christmas. Most of the content is directed toward kids interested in playing hockey and who have questions from how do I do a certain drill to what if my parents are embarrasing me. My 8 year old enjoyed the book very much and continues to read it again and again. I still pick it up as well. If you haven't read the first book "So Your Son Want's to Play in the NHL", another great read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dan Bylsma's latest literary achievement is a winner, December 20, 2000

By 

Robert Rosenthal (Calabasas, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: So You Want to Play in the NHL : A Guide for Young Players (Paperback)

As the father of a 9-year-old, I am delighted that my son has selected Dan Bylsma as one of his role models. Dan (Anaheim Mighty Ducks of the National Hockey League), and his dad's most recent collaborative literary achievement, "So You Want to Play in the NHL" is an honest and straight-forward discussion about Dan's uncompromised determination to become a professional hockey player, is set against a backdrop of objectivity and seemingly insurmountable odds. The book embodies a wonderful and powerful message, that hardword and determination are the cornerstones of personal, as well as professional success. I highly recommend this book to all aspiring young athletes, their coaches, and parents.