On his first day of summer hockey school, six-year-old Dan Blackburn clutched the boards and pulled himself around the rink. By the end of the second day, although he could skate, he decided to be goalie so he wouldn't have to skate so much. A mere twelve years later, during the 2001-2 season, he joined the New York Rangers, becoming one of the youngest goaltenders in the NHL. Hockey's Young Superstars (Raincoast, $19.95) introduces the "25 Hottest Players on Ice"; including Daniel and Henrik Sedin-neither of whom was deemed worthy of the starting line-up for Sweden national team. A sports writer for 22 years, author Jeff Rud has covered the NHL for both the Victoria Times Colonist and the National Post. 1-55192-637-7

[BCBW 2005]