Living in Minnesota, I'm surrounded by hockey fans young and old. The passion for the game runs deep here, so much so that the state boys hockey tournament has an "All Hair" team (You can check it out here.)

When it comes to hockey books, there are some gems out there. From inspirational biographies to classics like Ken Dryden's The Game, it was tough to choose just nine.

Similar to some of our other lists, we looked for some diversity in the titles we chose (fiction and non fiction). We also only picked books that we really enjoyed. If we didn't think highly of a book ourselves, we're not going to recommend it. Finally, a book like The Game is probably more appropriate for olden teens, while Iceman could skew younger to the middle grades. 

Here are our favorite hockey books for teens. 

Have you thought about becoming a ref at the collegiate or NBA level? If so, this article is for you.

On one hand, the popularity of college and pro sports is at an all time high. On the other, the pressure on officials to get every call correct has never been higher. Being a great official is as much about knowing the rules and having great eyes as having an even temperament that can withstand the constant berating from coaches across the country.

Today, we'll explore the process to becoming an official and what you can expect to make should you get the job. 

We previously wrote about NIL in relation to NBA G League Salaries and the options that young players now have when deciding to go pro or not. That article was strictly about basketball, and it's important to note that NIL is applicable to all college athletes. 

I get a lot of questions about why basketball players wear what they do. From tights to arm sleeves to ankle braces and even things like goggles, I'll explain what advantages these things provide (if any) and break down why you should or should not consider wearing them. 

When the NBA began 77 years ago, players earned on average $4,000-$5,000 per season. At the time, it was certainly nothing to laugh at. Today, the LA Clippers have a payroll of $192 million for the 2022-2023 season. While a lot has changed in 77 years, I'm not sure if anything has kept up with the rate of change of the salaries of NBA basketball players.  

Sports betting can be a thrilling pastime for many, but for those who take it seriously, it can also be a lucrative source of income. However, winning consistently in sports betting is not an easy feat, and requires a combination of skill, knowledge, and strategy. Today, we'll introduce a framework for sports betting that will help you improve your ability to win money more consistently. If you are unsure of whether sports betting is legal in your state, please see this site, which is updated regularly. 

The NBA G League technically started in 2001 as the NBDL or the National Basketball Developmental League. At that time, the league had 8 teams, all located in the Southeastern part of the United States. During the 2017-2018 season, the league struck a multi-year partnership deal with Gatorade and re-branded to the G League. 

If you're a young player with a lot of talent, your options today (in terms of how to navigate your career) are the best they've ever been. That's because you can legally join the G League prior to being eligible for the NBA draft. So while you need to be 19 during the calendar year of the NBA Draft to be draft eligible, you don't need to meet this criteria to play in the G League. 

I read once that if you happen to be seven feet or taller, you have a 16% chance of appearing in an NBA game! NBA general managers and coaches have always had a fascination with height. This isn't to say that you can't play in the NBA without it (we previously wrote about the Shortest Players to Play in the NBA). But, most GM's get more excited about a seven foot prospect than a 6'2" guard. 

Originally published on January 4, 2022, on Medium.com.

Have you ever gotten into a book, so much so, that when you look at the clock, three hours have passed, and it’s well past your bedtime? Last week, I finished Jon Krakauer’s Where Men Win Glory. The story details the life of Pat Tillman, the former NFL star turned Army Ranger, who gave his life during the war in Afghanistan. Pat Tillman was a guy that you had to love: confident, hard-working, committed, and determined to serve others, even at the expense of his closest loved ones. He possessed a unique belief system, rooted in both challenging himself (he ran a marathon during an NFL offseason) and serving the greater good (leaving a multimillion dollar contract with the Arizona Cardinals to join a bunch of 19-year-old kids at Fort Benning).