7 books for kids who love pond hockey

Isobel’s Stanley Cup

By Kristin Butcher
Set in 1893 in Ottawa, this is the story of Isobel, who wants to play hockey but her father won’t let her because she’s a girl. She helps her older brothers practice for their big game—improving her own skills along the way—and gets some advice from a historically inspired Isobel Stanley. When a chance opens up to play in the game, she must work around her father’s rules and risk his ire to play the game she loves.

The Hockey Tree

By David Ward. Illustrated by Brian Deines
Set on Humboldt Lake, Saskatchewan, this story of a brother and sister playing on the frozen lake is set to become a classic. When they lose their puck in an ice-fishing hole, they are ready to give up and go home. But their father teaches them an old hockey-lover’s trick that saves the day. Younger readers will love this very Canadian story and beautiful pictures.

The Hockey Sweater

By Roch Carrier. Illustrated by Sheldon Cohen
No list of kids books on hockey would be complete without this classic, which brings to life the age-old rivalry of the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Through the eyes of a boy whose love for hockey is eclipsed only by his love for his hero, Rocket Richard. But he must endure the worst indignity when his mother orders the wrong team’s jersey.

Wild Pond Hockey

By Jeffrey Domm
Veteran nature writer and artist has clearly had a lot of fun wondering what if hockey were invented by animals. Starring a pair of ravens and a curious wolf pack, this playful book tells of a truly wild hockey game.

When the Moon Comes

By Paul Harbridge. Illustrated by Matt James
A band of kids wait for their moment when the ice on the beaver-flooded pond is finally frozen solid, then they trek through the deep snow—past farms, logging trails, and tamarack—to find their ultimate rink ready for a glorious backwoods skate under the full moon.

Bobby Orr and the Hand-Me-Down Skates

By Kara Kootstra and Bobby Orr. Illustrated by Jennifer Phelan
Hockey fans of all ages will love this story of young Bobby, who is obsessed with hockey and who has asked for a new pair of skates for his birthday. But instead of the shiny new pair he imagines, he receives a pair of hand-me-down ones, worn and scuffed. Once Bobby gives them a try, he and the skates become a perfect match, and he can’t imagine skating without them. When the new pair arrive, what will Bobby do?

Clean Sweep!

By Monica Kulling. Illustrated by Renné Benoit
This is the story of how Frank Zamboni invented the ice-clearing machine that bears his name. Frank and his brother and cousin opened a skating rink in 1940, but it took their crews more than an hour to resurface the rink while skaters waited. After nine years of designing and redesigning, and a whole lot of perseverance, Frank invented the familiar machine we all know and love—and wish we had when we’re shovelling our lakeside rinks!

Over the Boards

By Hayley Wickenheiser
The greatest women’s hockey player of all time shares the lessons she’s learned on and off the ice over her spectacular career—which included disappointments and setbacks as well as five Olympic medals in ice hockey—and into her new calling as a medical doctor. You can read an excerpt of the book in the Winter 2021 issue of Cottage Life. Older readers, teens, and adults will appreciate the stories, insights, and wisdom from this Canadian champion of grit and determination.