Books with author Andrew Podnieks

Hockey Talk is neither an almanac nor an encyclopedia, but a place where the language of the game is defined and celebrated. Expert Andrew Podnieks captures the unique flavor of hockey through the words that characterize it. Familiar English words take on unusual and often comical meaning when applied to hockey, as this exhaustive work shows. For instance, a puck is a “cowpie,” while “wall rats” are those unfortunate fans in the SRO section of the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. This is a must-read for both hockey lovers and language mavens.

Revered by the greatest golfers in the game for his flawless swing, Canada's Moe Norman was a genius on the golf course and an enigma off it.World famous, he hated the limelight. A perfect striker of the ball, he hated putting. He slept in his car instead of hotels, buried money in secret locations on golf courses, used a six-inch tee intournaments just for fun. The Legend of Moe Norman offers a glimpse into his idiosyncratic world through dozens of stories both funny and insightful."Only two players have ever truly owned their swings-Moe Norman and Ben Hogan."TIGER WOODS

Part reference guide, part history, and part celebration of this hallowed game, The Complete Hockey Dictionary defines every hockey term. From familiar words that take on special significance in hockey (doorstop or cowpie, for example), to technical terms (backhand, fence), to need-to-know hockey history (the Pollock Agreement of 1967), this is the ultimate guide for all hockey enthusiasts.

Even before Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin began their NHL careers in 2005, the two players were rivals. They first met at the World U20 (Junior) Championship, playing for the gold medal, and ever since they have been opponents in the NHL and international arenas. No two star players could be so different. Crosby is the consummate captain and team player, the responsible face of the NHL. Ovechkin is the loose cannon on ice and off, capable of a great play or a cocky comment. Sid vs. Ovi traces this intense rivalry game by game, year by year, from 2005 to 2011 and beyond. Their biographies are given consideration alongside their in-game performance and career development to present a clear picture of their lives, their careers, their league, and their countries. Hockey fans can well be divided into those who prefer one or the other of this pair of scintillating talents. But one thing is certain – the presence of one inspires the other to greater heights.

Even before Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin began their NHL careers in 2005, the two players were rivals. They first met at the World U20 (Junior) Championship, playing for the gold medal, and ever since they have been opponents in the NHL and international arenas. No two star players could be so different. Crosby is the consummate captain and team player, the responsible face of the NHL. Ovechkin is the loose cannon on ice and off, capable of a great play or a cocky comment. Sid vs. Ovi traces this intense rivalry game by game, year by year, from 2005 to 2011 and beyond. Their biographies are given consideration alongside their in-game performance and career development to present a clear picture of their lives, their careers, their league, and their countries. Hockey fans can well be divided into those who prefer one or the other of this pair of scintillating talents. But one thing is certain – the presence of one inspires the other to greater heights.

When it comes to passing the puck and reacting to hockey's fast pace, Paul Kariya has only one peer--Wayne Gretzky. And, wherever this Anaheim Mighty Ducks' left-winger plays, he astonishes competitors and teammates alike with his talent. Using dramatic color photography and an exciting text just right for 8 to 10 year olds, here is the fascinating story of Kariya's many successes. He was elected most valuable junior player in Canada; won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as best player in US college hockey; helped power the Canadian team to a silver medal in the Olympics and a gold in the World Championships; and has twice topped 100 points in a season. A homage to a true ambassador of the game.

Hockey Talk is neither an almanac nor an encyclopedia, but a place where the language of the game is defined and celebrated. Expert Andrew Podnieks captures the unique flavor of hockey through the words that characterize it. Familiar English words take on unusual and often comical meaning when applied to hockey, as this exhaustive work shows. For instance, a puck is a “cowpie,” while “wall rats” are those unfortunate fans in the SRO section of the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. This is a must-read for both hockey lovers and language mavens.

"A hidden treasure for the hockey world."Craig Campbell, The Hockey Hall of Fame "The real excitement in Lewis Portnoy's life began one night 30 years ago, when he witnessed a savage brawl in a now shattered establishment just east of Dogtown (St. Louis)."St. Louis Post-Dispatch The brawl that changed Lewis Portnoy's life was in a major league hockey game. He had brought a newly bought Nikon to the game, "and I jumped up and started shooting." He became, for 10 great years (1967-1976), the leading photographer of hockey in North America, pioneering new lighting and photography techniques, soon copied by other professionals. Portnoy's 75 color photographs of National Hockey League players in action represent the birth of modern hockey, after the expansion from the original six-team league. New equipment, colorful goalie masks and uniforms, and a faster, international influence made the spectacle more crowd-pleasing. And! as the league grew, the audience got bigger. This book is the first to chronicle the opening of that era in hockey, and Lewis Portnoy's photos perfectly complement the descriptive text by Andrew Podnieks. There are essays and player anecdotes about the development of the larger league and the great times that went along with it. Andrew Podnieks is a hockey historian.