The Next Ones: How McDavid, Matthews and a Group of Young Guns Took Over the NHL

Canadian sportswriter Traikos draws on his decades covering hockey to present readers with a candid and insightful biographical account of today’s young NHL stars. Traikos interviewed 10 players, including Connor McDavid (21-year-old center for the Edmonton Oilers) and Aaron Ekblad (22-year-old Florida Panther defenseman), who discussed their experiences along the road to the NHL. Traikos provides amusing anecdotes about their early lives ­(Johnny Gaudreau’s father had him chase Skittles on the ice to teach the future Calgary Flames forward to skate), skillfully weaves narratives of personal struggle and financial hardship (the parents of Jack Eichel of the Buffalo Sabres couldn’t afford the extra classes wealthier kids took advantage of), and shows how hockey has been a lifelong ambition for these young players (Auston Matthews improbably rose to NHL stardom in spite of growing up in Arizona, where he “learned how to play hockey in the desert”). This is a must-read for hockey fans, but also a satisfying narrative for anyone invested in knowing what drives individuals to play at the pinnacle of their sport. Photos. [em](Mar.) [/em]