Shapiro, who wrote Hockey Days in 2007, continues the story of 13 year old Tom Leonard. This book is a full juvenile novel, offering 127 pages of Tom's youthful dreams of big league hockey.

In this story Tom gets invited to try out with an all star junior team in Toronto. That can only mean the NHL is not far away, right?Well, not exactly. While his dream may not have played out like he wanted to, Tom learns more several important lessons of life from his mom and dad and best friend Terry. Through these lessons he learns what it truly means to be a hockey player for life.

It is these lessons of life that are the true value of Shapiro's offering. The message and morals passed on in this book will be eagerly welcomed by any parent looking to give their kids a Christmas gift of quality reading. The book is aimed at the 11-15 year old demographic.

The book features a touching forward from former Philadelphia Flyers captain Keith Primeau. The book is also strongly endorsed by ESPN's John Buccigross and Growing Up Hockey author Brian Kennedy.

Shapiro's Hockey Player For Life website is also excellent, and offers this interesting "speed painting" YouTube promotional video:

Shapiro is equally passionate about writing for children as he is about hockey. He's got a great product and message here. I would highly recommend this book for the aspiring hockey hero in your family.

There's a good chance you parents/former aspiring hockey heroes out there will quite enjoy the fast read, too.

Leave a comment.

Originally published September 30, 2008 on on HockeyBookReviews.com

So I finally got my hands on Reflections 2008: The NHL Hockey Year in Photographs today. After flipping through the 160 pages of some of the most amazing hockey photography you will ever see, I have decided I need to go back down to the bookstore and get a second copy!

Why would I would want two copies of the same book? Because I want one to proudly display on my coffee table and share with guests. And I want a second copy so I can cut out the pictures, frame them and display them proudly on the walls of my hockey room.

The photos are just that amazing. I think my favorites have to be the cover image featuring the outdoor game, Eric Staal's determination on page 45, Joffrey Lupul's jump of ecstacy on page 122, and most of the body check action shots, especially Dion Phaneuf getting a taste of his own medicine on page 59 and Marc Staal stapling brother Jordan Staal on page 138.

The photos capture the highlights of the 2008 season, starting with NHL Premiere in London and working its way through to the awarding of the Stanley Cup champions. Along the way there are some great memories to relive.

All without words. That's right, there are no words once the photos start. In 2007, the first of what I sincerely hope is truly an annual publication, I commented on how it might have been nice to have captions with the photos. But again they are tucked into the very back of the book.

Hey, it's a pretty nitpicky complaint to have for this truly spectacular book.

And the best part is that part of the proceeds from sales of this book are donated directly to Hockey Fights Cancer, a joint charity initiative undertaken by the National Hockey League and the NHL Players’ Association.

See, now you have even more reason to go out and buy Reflections 2008: The NHL Hockey Year in Photographs. It's an amazing book that truly is worthy of your coffee table space. And you are helping to make a difference and fight cancer too.

Maybe you should pick up two copies.

Leave a comment.

Originally published October 23, 2008 on on HockeyBookReviews.com

Do you ever feel like all of the time, effort and hard work you’re putting into taking your game to the next level is just not worth it?

If you’re like most people, I’m sure you answered “Yes” and can admit to often feeling that it’s just too hard and that you’ll never achieve your goals.

The next time that thought enters your mind, I want you to watch this video.

‘Superdad’ Dick Hoyt and his son Rick have completed 85 full length marathons and 8 Ironman triathlons. That's just amazing - pure and simple.

Dick Hoyt, age 65, has spent the last 25 years pushing his son in a wheelchair though marathon after marathon with their best time of a stunning 2 hours 40 minutes. He’s towed Rick for the 2.4 mile swim phase in a rubber dinghy and cycled the 1123 mile bike phase with his son in a specially adapted bicycle chair. How have they been able to achieve so much when so many of us fall by the wayside?

--> They stick with it.

Not exactly rocket science is it? Most of us fail to achieve our goals simply because we do not stick to it until it’s done.

We give up early. We stop paying the price.

But if you just stick with it...Amazing things can happen.
And if you ever find yourself doubting that they can, watch this video again.

Until next time,
~ Coach Kim

Leave a comment.

Originally published September 22, 2008 on Total Female Hockey

With a site name like HockeyStars pretty much everyone who signs up to play the game and share their stories is already a star. However, I've scoured the internet for this week's post about young up-and-coming talent, including promising young athletes that are making waves in their community. Luckily, I was able to hone in on an event that does this as well.

Each year the Elite Prospect Showcase gives young players and future stars the chance to shine. Many Canadian players have come up through the ranks of this annual program that pits our country's hopefuls against American talents.

"It's a good competition for the Canadian kids, who come from B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and throughout Ontario, to play in this showcase. It has the very best talent from the ages of 10 to 15," says [Jon] Calvano." (source: Alberta Hockey)

Even the current captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, Jonathon Toews, was on the Western Canada Team just a few years ago.

The Showcase is by invitation only to make sure only the best of the best are present although it's a great forum for any of those players to rise to the top. They have six teams per division, which are split up by age (birth years are listed from 1990 all the way to 2000). The Elite Prospects Showcase for 2009 will take place April 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

For a more local tournament, there is also the 2010 Under-17 Championship in Timmins, Ontario from Dec. 28, 2009 to Jan. 4, 2010 - prior to the 2010 Winter Olympics happening in Vancouver, BC (so there's plenty of time for young stars to prepare for this event).

"These are our future NHL players," City of Timmins leisure services manager Marc Roy said. "You'll have stars come out and shine and be future NHL stars in two to three years time." (source: Timmins Daily Press)

The U-17 championship will include five teams from across the nation, split up by region: Pacific, West, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic. There will also be invitations given to five international teams.

If there is a true young HockeyStar in your community (or an entire team for that matter) please feel free to give them a shout out in the comments of this post and I hope to see them shine in future events like this.

Leave a comment.

Citizens Bank of Canada - the engine behind HockeyStars is giving away $50 until December 22, 2008 when you open a new bank account.

Get all the details here.