“In my whole life, I have known no wise people (over a broad subject matter area) who didn’t read all the time. None. Zero.

-Charlie Munger

What is the last book you read?

It probably says something about you.

Maybe it’s a biography of a famous president, or how to keep your dog from chewing the couch, or what makes Amazon so successful.

You set aside the time to actually read that book. And if you went as far as putting the book on your shelf at work or recommending it to a friend, that book probably really had an impact on you, right?

Back in 2019, I started keeping track of books recommended by NHL General Managers, coaches, and executives (or ones seen on their desks and bookshelves). This list is obviously far from comprehensive, but it offers a glimpse into their influences and serves as an initial foundation for studying their process.

While the theme of this website is hockey, I’m actually most interested in books these executives are reading from outside of the hockey world. How are these executives utilizing the lessons in their management styles and decisions?

This project is a journey. It’s about getting exposed to ideas from less familiar domains and thinking about how we can apply them to hockey, business, and daily life.

Finally, if you see a book missing from this list or have any great recommendations, don’t hesitate to reach out via email.

“Develop into a lifelong self-learner through voracious reading, cultivate curiosity, and strive to become a little wiser every day.”

-Charlie Munger

Originally Posted: March 1, 2019

Last Update: July 2023

Kyle Dubas (Pittsburgh Penguins President)

Julien Brisebois (Tampa Bay Lightning GM)

Jarmo Kekalainen (Columbus Blue Jackets GM)

Brian MacLellan (Washington Capitals GM)

Brad Alberts (Dallas Stars President)

  • This Kind of War by T.R. Fehrenbach

Brendan Shanahan (Toronto Maple Leafs President)

George McPhee (Vegas Golden Knights President)

Paul Maurice (Florida Panthers Head Coach)

Jon Cooper (Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach)

Pete DeBoer (Dallas Stars Head Coach)

Mike Babcock (Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach)

Steve Griggs (Tampa Bay Lightning CEO)

Jeff Vinik (Tampa Bay Lightning Owner)

Vincent Viola (Florida Panthers Owner)

Gary Bettman (NHL Commissioner)

Bruce Cassidy (Vegas Golden Knights Head Coach)

Jim Montgomery (Boston Bruins Head Coach)

Jeremy Colliton (Former Chicago Blackhawks Head Coach)

Dallas Eakins (Former Anaheim Ducks Head Coach)

Dan Bylsma (Former NHL Head Coach)

John Chayka (Former Arizona Coyotes GM)

Dean Lombardi (Former Los Angeles Kings GM)

Brian Burke (Former NHL President)

Chuck Fletcher (Former Philadelphia Flyers GM)

Dale Tallon (Former Florida Panthers GM)

David Poile (Former Nashville Predators GM)

Doug Wilson (Former San Jose Sharks GM)

Other Recommendations from Hockey Executives who prefer to remain anonymous:


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