Review
"In Hockey Plays and Strategies, Ryan Walter and Mike Johnston combine their coaching expertise to offer a comprehensive guidebook for today's fast-paced game. Their proven strategies are ideal for every player and coach."
George Gwozdecky
Head Men's Hockey Coach, University of Denver
“In Hockey Plays and Strategies, Walter and Johnston cover every aspect of successful team play. This complete guide gives you the systems and strategies for an advantage at both ends of the ice.”
Pat Quinn
Head Coach, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1998-2006
"Ryan Walter and Mike Johnston are a dynamic writing team who draw from years of playing, coaching, and leadership experience. In Hockey Plays and Strategies, they simplify the complexities of the game to assist coaches in building winning game plans."
Paul Carson
Director of Development, Hockey Canada
About the Author
Ryan Walter is an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League. He played more than 1,000 games over 15 seasons with the Washington Capitals, Montreal Canadiens, and Vancouver Canucks. He served as vice president of the National Hockey League Players Association, was honored as the NHL Man of the Year in 1992, and played in the NHL all-star game in 1993. Walter has also served as captain of team Canada in the World Junior tournament and played for team Canada in four World Championships. He has worked as a consultant for several NHL teams and a television analyst for NHL broadcasts. Walter lives in British Columbia, Canada.
Mike Johnston is the head coach of the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League. Johnston guided Canada to two World Junior Championships as an assistant coach and won three Spengler Cup gold medals as coach of the Canada Selects. He served in various capacities, including head coach and general manager, with Canada's gold medal–winning national team from 1994 to 1999. In five of the six seasons he coached the Vancouver Canucks, they finished with over 90 points, and on two occasions they surpassed the 100-point mark. In 2004, the Canucks won the Northwest Division Championship. In May 2007, Johnston again was selected to coach in the World Championships, and for the first time in 73 years Canada went undefeated (9-0) in winning gold. Johnston lives in Portland, Oregon.