The Complete Handbook of Hockey Balls & Pucks

Hockey balls and pucks look simple, but they are precision-molded components with tight tolerances in weight, hardness, and coefficient of friction. A regulation NHL puck weighs 6 ounces and is 1 inch thick, but those numbers only matter if you know how they interact with ice temperature, blade material, and playing surface. This book explains the engineering behind the gear, from vulcanized rubber compounds to hollow-core practice balls, and gives you the checklists you need to evaluate any product.

Beyond the technical specs, this handbook covers the practical business of hockey gear. Learn how to read a manufacturer's data sheet, what to look for in bulk orders for leagues and camps, how to spot counterfeit or substandard products, and what margins look like in retail and private-labeling. For facility operators, there is a full chapter on maintenance and troubleshooting, including how to keep pucks from sliding unpredictably after prolonged storage in cold garages.

The final sections look ahead at trends like composite pucks, sensor-equipped training tools, and changing rules for youth leagues, so you can plan your inventory and budget accordingly. Whether you run a pro shop, coach a travel team, or just want to know why your off-ice practice balls wear out in a month, this handbook gives you the answers in plain language.