160,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock πŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ 

Happy Sunday! Auckland Store open until 5pm today πŸ“š

Behind the Bench

Inside the Minds of Hockey's Greatest Coaches
4.09 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 85 ratings, 7 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Behind the Bench offers an intimate look at the demanding and complex role of an NHL head coach. Craig Custance, of ESPN, presents candid discussions with renowned coaches such as Mike Babcock and Joel Quenneville. They explore leadership philosophies, tactical game plans, and the pressures of managing elite players. Through detailed analysis of pivotal gamesβ€”including Stanley Cup finals and Olympic battlesβ€”readers gain insight into the strategic minds that shape hockey history.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3499
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is essential for hockey enthusiasts, current and aspiring coaches, and players interested in the deeper strategies and leadership elements behind professional ice hockey.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

They are motivators, key strategists, tough bosses, and choreographers. They can be branded as heroes, ousted as scapegoats, quietly valued as friends, and everything in between. It's all in the job description for an NHL head coach.

In Behind the Bench, ESPN's Craig Custance sits down for film sessions and candid conversations with some of the game's most notable modern luminariesβ€”names like Mike Babcock, Joel Quenneville, Dan Bylsma, Todd McLellan, Ken Hitchcock, and Claude Julienβ€”all of whom share their singular views on topics ranging from leadership secrets to on-ice game plans.

Dissect some of hockey's greatest moments with the men who set the pieces in motion. Go straight to the source on what it's like to manage a dressing room full of the league's top stars or execute line changes with everything at stake.

Signature games, including Stanley Cup finals, Olympic gold medal clashes, and World Championship contestsβ€”both wins and lossesβ€”are reflected upon and broken down in detail, making this essential reading for current and aspiring coaches, players, and hockey fans alike.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781629372440

Publisher: Triumph Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 October 2017

Country: United States

Imprint: Triumph Books

Illustration: Illustrations

Contributors:

  • Foreword by Sidney Crosby

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 228.0mm

Weight: 430g

Pages: 256

About the Author

Craig Custance is a journalist who spent the last decade covering the NHL as a national hockey writer, including six years with ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine. He left ESPN to join The Athletic, a San Franciscobased sports media startup. He is currently an NHL Insider for The Athletic and editor-in-chief of The Athletic Detroit. Before working at ESPN, Custance wrote for The Sporting News. He spent the first 10 years of his writing career with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution after graduating from Michigan State University. He lives in Clinton Township, Michigan, with his wife, Cassie, and three children, Calvin, Cameron, and Cormac. You can follow Craig on Twitter @craigcustance or read more of his work at www.craigcustance.com. Sidney Crosby has captained the Pittsburgh Penguins to three Stanley Cup Final victories, in 2009, 2016, and 2017. He is a two-time winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Conn Smythe Trophy, as well as two Olympic gold medals and a gold medal at the World Championships.

More from Sports

View all
  • On Sale
    12% off
    New Release
    Shane Cameron
    This is the gripping, often surprising story of one of New Zealand's toughest and most resilient fighters. Shane Cameron rose from humble beginnings to become a dominant force in the Australasian heavyweight division. Known for his explosive power and fearless fighting style, Cameron captured multiple national titles and fought 'The Fight of the Century' against David Tua in the biggest...
    Paperback
    $2900
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • 100% Unofficial Formula 1 Annual 2027
    Discover everything there is to know about your Formula 1 heroes in the 100% Unofficial Formula 1 Annual 2027. This action-packed annual takes you behind the scenes of the Formula 1 2026 World Championship! Meet every driver and team, then explore every circuit on the calendar. Jump into the history of the sport and discover the amazing technology and engineering...
    Hardback
    $4500
    Pre-order
    Out
  • The Inner Game of Tennis
    Improve your game and discover your true potential by increasing your concentration, willpower and confidence. Described by Billie Jean King as her 'tennis bible', Timothy Gallwey's multi-million bestseller, including an introduction from acclaimed sports psychologist Geoff Beattie, has been a phenomenon for players of all abilities since it was first published in 1972. Instead of concentrating on how to improve...
    Paperback
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • On Sale
    13% off
    Legends and Soles
    The brilliant autobiography from the β€˜saviour of Nike’ If you’re a sneaker head, you know him as the saviour of Nike. If you’ve watched Air, you saw Matt Damon’s portrayal of the man who discovered Michael Jordan and how he revolutionised the payment structure of endorsements for athletes. Legends and Soles tells Sonny’s story – his blind-sided firing by Nike...
    Paperback
    $2800
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Surviving to Drive
    A hugely entertaining access-all-areas account of a year inside Formula 1, from Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner, star of Drive to Survive, one of the most successful Netflix series of all time. THE INSTANT NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'Gripping to read. Funny, real, exciting. It's a brilliant book.' - Chris Evans 'Fearless and candid... A gleeful guide to...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Good, the Bad & the Rugby – Unleashed
    The long-awaited book from rugby stars Alex Payne, James Haskell and Mike Tindall. Rugby megastars James Haskell, Mike Tindall, and Alex Payne get together to discuss the highs and lows of their podcast, friendship, and rugby. Among the key questions answered: What happened when Mike took their shambles of a podcast inside the walls of Windsor Castle to meet the...
    Hardback
    $5500
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • On Sale
    18% off
    Gloves Off
    The unflinching autobiography from the two-time world heavyweight champion and British People's Champion, Tyson Fury, now out in paperback, Gloves Off is an enthralling journey into the life of one of boxing's most charismatic and controversial figures. From his humble beginnings to his meteoric rise and dramatic falls, Fury’s story is a testament to the indomitable human spirit. In this...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Salt Path
    The Salt Path is a deeply moving and profoundly inspiring true story that captures the essence of human resilience and the profound impact of nature on our well-being. This compelling narrative, a Sunday Times bestseller and shortlisted for the prestigious Wainwright Prize, recounts the life-changing journey of Raynor and Moth Winnβ€”a couple who, facing monumental life challenges, find solace and...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • On Sale
    19% off
    The Salt Path
    The bestselling true story of the couple who lost everything and embarked on a journey not of escape but salvation, soon to be a major motion picture starring Golden Globe winning Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs. Just days after Raynor learns that Moth, her husband of 32 years, is terminally ill, the couple lose their home and their livelihood. With...
    Paperback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • States of Play
    The International Bestseller & Winner of the Football Book of the Year Award A Times Sports Book of the Year A Telegraph Book of the Year An Irish Times Book of the Year An Irish Independent Book of the Year 'Important, perfectly timed and hugely necessary.' The Guardian 'A monumental piece of investigative journalism.' Irish Times 'A must-read on how...
    Paperback
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Swimmer of Auschwitz
    'Propulsive... Readers will be hooked' - Publishers Weekly Based on the extraordinary true story of Alfred Nakache, subject of the Oscar-nominated short film Papillon. Alfred Nakache, a Jewish child from Constantine, never imagined that he would one day swim for France at the Olympic Games in Berlin in 1936, nor that he would achieve a world record, as he did...
    Paperback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Formula
    A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 'HANDS DOWN THE GREATEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN ABOUT F1.' - Sam Walker, author of The Captain Class 'MODERN F1 IS THE SPORTS STORY OF THIS ERA AND NO ONE COULD TELL IT BETTER' - Kevin Clark, ESPN 'THE FASTEST READ YOU WILL EVER PICK UP' - A.J. Baime, author of Go Like Hell F1 is...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 160,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.