Of Ice and Men; Dominik Hasek, Chris Chelios, Steve Yzerman, GlenSather: The Craft of Hockey

What makes the best in the hockey business the best? By analyzing forward Steve Yzerman's unmatched talent for leadership, defenseman Chris Chelios's two-way brilliance, goaltender Dominik Hasek's unrivalled ability to stop the puck, and hockey executive Glen Sather's gift for constructing, shaping, and inspiring a team, Bruce Dowbiggin not only illuminates the traits that underlie hockey greatness, he also documents the subtle evolution of how the NHL game is played.As Steve Yzerman nears the end of a Hall of Fame career, Dowbiggin considers the qualities that made him a brilliant scorer, playmaker, and team leader, comparing him to such offensive stars as Wayne Gretzky, Jaromir Jagr, and Paul Kariya. Yzerman's real genius, though, may have been his role in weaving Detroit's team fabric and his willingness to adapt his game late in his career, turning himself into a superbly versatile player.As NHL forwards have grown steadily bigger, the defenseman's role has grown even more challenging. And ever since Bobby Orr won the NHL scoring title, offensive defensemen have been integral parts of winning teams. As Dowbiggin explains, Chris Chelios, the Blackhawks' captain, exemplifies both the tough, determined blueliner, smart and mean, and the offensively productive one, deft at playmaking and possessed of one of the hardest shots in the NHL.Dominik Hasek, the first goaltender since Jacques Plante to win the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player, solidified his status as the best goaltender on the planet by leading the Czech team to a gold medal in the 1998 Olympics. Dowbiggin analyzes Hasek's unorthodox style, and explores what changes in training, equipment, and team playhave meant to the position.As architect of the Edmonton Oilers dynasty of the 1980s, Glen Sather allowed his highly creative team, led by Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Paul Coffey, to redefine offense. His great accomplishments, though, may have come in the 1990s. Hamstrung by a tight budget and franchise uncertainty, he has consistently assembled competitive teams by crafting wisely, trading shrewdly, and stressing team chemistry over individual talent.