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 luminaries--names like Mike Babcock, Joel
Quenneville, Dan Bylsma, Todd McLellan, Ken Hitchcock, and Claude
Julien--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 contests--both wins and losses--are
reflected upon and broken down in detail, making this essential reading
for current and aspiring coaches, players, and hockey fans alike.