Hockey Superstars, 2004-2005

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

Romanuk’s 18th edition of Hockey Superstars continues last year’s
content changes. It contains the anticipated 17 glossy full-colour
mini-posters of the NHL’s “superstars.” Alphabetically arranged
from David Aebischer to Alex Tanguay, Romanuk’s selections include
eight wingers, four centres, three goalies, and just two defencemen,
Brian McCabe and Chris Pronger. Players from 12 different NHL teams are
represented, with 10 players coming from six teams in the NHL’s
Northeast and Northwest Divisions. Four teams—Montreal, Colorado,
Ottawa, and Toronto—are each represented by two players.

This volume also maintains the two-column text that faces each
player’s full-colour action photo. The readable text is enlivened by a
“Did You Know?” box plus a “Hockey Hero,” “Great Moments,”
or “Hockey Memory” box. Under each player’s picture, another box
provides the player’s 2003–04 stats, draft details, date and place
of birth, position, shooting or catching handedness, plus height and
weight.

As in earlier editions, the poster pages are sandwiched between two
matte-paper sections. The opening section maintains the “All the
Teams” portion, while the closing section continues “Referee
Signals” and “NHL Awards.” Though the poster portion of Hockey
Superstars remains something young hockey fans—especially reluctant
readers in Grades 3 and up—will likely wish to peruse, the absence of
a 2004–05 hockey season decreases this edition’s worth. Not a
first-choice purchase.