Today, we are looking at Simply the Best: Insights and Strategies from Great Hockey Coaches, by Mike Johnston and Ryan Walter.

It started as a project on a plane ride home after a hockey game. After discussing that night's game at length, the conversation turned to other coaches. To the best of their knowledge, no one had ever interviewed Roger Neilson, who was dying of cancer. Scotty Bowman, one of the winningest coaches in the game at that time, had apparently, to their knowledge, never been interviewed for a book either.

 

Thus was born a book project which has become this book.

This book is made up of 12 sections, interviews really. Johnston and Walter sent out interview requests and questions to a much larger group, and this is the result. 12 of the best coaches in the NHL, United States and Canadian collegiate coaches. All of the men interviewed speak candidly about their techniques for coaching and their preparation on and off the ice, during the season and the off-season.

Each of these coaches has plenty to say. What they provide are insights not only into hockey, but these can also be applied to regular life as well.

I've had the opportunity to hear Mike Johnston speak on more than one occasion, as well as meet him in person many times. I can say, without hesitation, that I can hear his speaking style in what I read within these pages. I am proud to have a signed copy of this on my shelf, and have read it many times, looking for insight into my own life. I have found bits and pieces on more than one occasion. I hope you do too.

Link to Powell's City of Books: http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9781894974370-0

Link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Simply-Best-Insights-Strategies-Coaches/dp/1894974379/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378085582&sr=1-1&keywords=Simply+the+Best%3A+Insights+and+Strategies+from+Great+Hockey+Coaches

Link to Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/simply-the-best-mike-johnston/1112400849?ean=9781894974370