Book Review: Who’s Who in Women’s Hockey Guide, 2018 Edition

If you follow women’s pro hockey, then “Who’s Who in Women’s Hockey Guide, 2018 Edition” is a book you will appreciate. It is packed with statistics on over 1,900 current and former professional women’s hockey players from the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) and the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL). It also includes stats from defunct leagues: the Western Woman’s Hockey League, the Central Ontario Women’s Hockey League and the previous incarnation of the National Woman’s League. 

Notes
Title: Who’s Who in Women’s Hockey, 2018 Edition
Author: Richard Scott
Pages: 138 pages
Size: 6″ x 9″
Format: Paperback
Available at Amazon
Publisher: Up North Productions

“Who’s Who” is published by Up North Productions and written by Richard Scott, author of several other books about women’s hockey, as well as numerous books about hockey cards, such as “The O-Pee-Chee Hockey Card Story” and “The Parkies Hockey Card Story.” Here, he has compiled an exhaustive listing of regular season and playoff stats for over 1,900 players — I’m too lazy to count, but I’ll take his word for it — and 64 coaches, dating back to the early 1990s. 

The book also includes complete listings of all CWHL trophy winners, the annual First and Second CWHL All-Star Teams, and the history of the Angela James Bowl, which is given to the CWHL’s top scorer. Scott even compiles all-time leader lists in categories such as most points, penalty minutes, points per game, shutouts, coaching wins, and such.

Notably absent, though, is the same extra information about the current incarnation of the NWHL. Although the new NWHL has only been around since 2015, it is still a top-tier women’s professional league, and “Who’s Who” should list its stat leaders and award winners; it would have only taken up a page. 

“Who’s Who” has an alternate cover featuring Brampton Thunder defender Laura Fortino

Also not mentioned  are stats or accolades from the World Championships or the Olympics. A small note is made above a player’s stats if she is an Olympic or IIHF tournament champion, but no actual stats or details otherwise. That also makes this book feel less-than-complete. Some of the biggest names that known in women’s hockey — Angela James, Cammi Granato, Danielle Goyette, Haley Wickenheiser — are best known because of international competitions.  Omitting this is leaving out their biggest accomplishments. 

“Who’s Who in Women’s Hockey, 2018 Edition” is available with two different covers: one featuring Laura Fortino of the Brampton Thunder, and the other picturing the Montreal Canadiennes, winners of the 2017 Clarkson Cup. 

What I like about “Who’s Who in Women’s Hockey Guide, 2018 Edition”: The book is the be-all, end-all when it comes to statistics and information about the CWHL and stats for the NWHL. Plus, where else are you going to find stats for defunct women’s hockey leagues? 

What I do not like about “Who’s Who in Women’s Hockey Guide, 2018 Edition”: Information about NWHL leaders and award winners, as well as women’s Olympic or World Championship competitions, is absent. 

“Who’s Who in Women’s Hockey, 2018 Edition” has everything you would want to know about the CWHL and its players. It also has complete stats for the current NWHL and the defunct women’s leagues. However, since this is a “Who’s Who” book, it should also have had information for international competitions. Nonetheless, if you are a fan of or write about the CWHL, this book is an invaluable resource. 

“Who’s Who in Women’s Hockey, 2018 Edition” is sold online at Amazon.

Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk

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Author: Sal Barry

Sal Barry is the editor and webmaster of Puck Junk. He is a freelance hockey writer, college professor and terrible hockey player. Follow him on Twitter @puckjunk

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