Early morning practices can sometimes means scarfing down a banana or a bowl of cereal while the car warms up then heading to the rink, however is that enough food fuel to keep you going?

According to some nutritional resources, those *are* actually a really great ways to start your day.

An active hockey player's diet should consist of carbohydrates (found in cereals) even though they've got a bad rap in recent years. They are the perfect fuel and source of food energy that you can and will burn off during practice or a game.

Carbs can also be found in breads (like having a slice of toast, crackers, a granola bar), vegetables or fruit (dried or in soups or salads), or in dairy products (like milk, yogurt, or even chocolate milk).

Although, you can't survive on those carbohydrates alone, you'll also need to combine them with proteins like nuts or eggs, cheese or milk, and lean cut meat, chicken or fish.

According to The Hockey Source, there are six types of nutrients for top performers: Carbohydrates, fat (good fats, like vegetable fats), protein, vitamins, minerals (calcium and iron) and water. Being hydrated is a huge part of staying healthy and fit. Not only does your body need a lot of it during the day, if you're active you're going to be sweating out moisture that you'll need to get back.

Power-Fuel Nutrition also has some great recipe suggestions for meals before or after games and even some snacking options.

Nutrition is a big part of being a good athlete and you'll find that at most hockey schools or programs they'll promote it, just like they would stick handling or shooting.

There are different ways to make sure your body can keep up with your activity, especially for back-to-back games or road trips, so making sure it has the right nutrition is key.

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Hockey is said to be the most global sport amongst North America’s big sporting leagues. Players not only come from Canada and the United States, but from all over Europe and Russia as well.

But there have been a few players who were born in the most unlikely of countries. Here’s a complete list:

1. Brazil – Mike Greenlay, Robyn Regehr
2. Brunei – Craig Adams
3. Haiti – Claude Vilgrain
4. Indonesia – Richie Regehr
5. Jamaica – Graeme Townsend
6. Lebanon – Ed Hatoum
7. Nigeria – Rumun Ndur
8. Paraguay – Willi Plett
9. Republic of Korea – Jim Paek, Richard Park
10. South Africa – Olaf Kolzig
11. Taiwan – Rod Langway
12. United Republic of Tanzania – Chris Nielsen
13. Venezuela – Rick Chartraw, Don Spring

Most of these players were born in these countries while their parents worked abroad in various business, military or religious endeavors. Others immigrated to North America with their families at a very young age. All these players were introduced to the sport of hockey in North America.

So don’t worry! Your favorite Olympic team does not have to worry about the new power house from the Carribean or South America just yet.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Originally published September 22, 2008 on Total Female Hockey