Yet, another article about the Phoenix Coyotes that I published on Examiner.com. I am really enjoying covering hockey and learning about Canada’s national sport. I am doing what I can to learn about the sport to make myself a better hockey journalist.  So far I have read (or are currently reading) the following hockey books:

I am almost ashamed to admit but Hockey For Dummies was quite helpful. I am new to hockey so I am learning on the fly. By watching games you can learn a lot but there are many gaps to fill and Hockey For Dummies did fill in some gaps.

Ken Dryden is a great writer and The Game is one of the best books I have read, regardless of genre. He opened my eyes to the simple fact that most professional athletes view their sport careers as nothing more than a game. Dryden didn’t live and die during his tenure with the Canadiens. He was a great goalie, won six Stanley Cups and retired young. To him being the net minder for a dynasty was just a game. Nothing more.  (Editor’s Note: I am wearing a Ken Dryden shirt today). 

There are some writers I aspire to be or influenced me (Hunter S Thompson, David Sedaris, Chuck Klosterman, Bill Simmons). I don’t have the talent like the aforementioned scribes but they are the goal.

For hockey writing Dryden is the goal. To quote Derek Smalls, “Imperfection is the journey and perfection is the goal.” So I amble on as a writer trying to be legit and have well written articles. It’s good to have goals.  Thomas Edison used the inventions by Galileo as a measuring stick. I use a retired hockey player/lawyer/politician from Ontario.

Some recent articles that Dryden wrote for Grantland: