Yesterday was July 1st, HAPPY CANADA DAY, and in the hockey world that means the start of the free agency season.

My beloved Maple Leafs signed a couple of players that puts them firmly on the path to be bigger, meaner and more of an "in your face" team.

With hockey in mind I thought that I would present my choices for the 2 best hockey books. These are presented as 1 and 1A.

Hockey Showdown, Harry Sinden

What more could be said or written about the 1972 "Summit Series" between Canada and the USSR? But this book, which I bought back in the 70's was written by Harry Sinden who coached the Canadian team and is valuable for the insights that a real "insider" offers for what happened both on and off the ice.

The Game, Ken Dryden

If there was ever a thinking man's hockey player it would be Ken Dryden. The book is so well written and looks at fame, what makes a special player special and the joys of being on a team.