Next to the Ice is an intimate exploration into hockey communities and culture in Canada. With six well-written essays on timely themes, Next to the Ice provides readers with keen insights into key areas of eliteand professional hockey including: fan culture, franchise drama, the rise of the hockey enforcer, and theoff-ice politics of hockey parents. Three university educators, parents and ex-players bring the readerinside the world of ‘rink rats’, hockey families, and hard-core fans and collectors of Canada’s favouriteprofessional sport. Next to the Ice is a must-have book for hockey enthusiasts, fans, academics, or anyoneinterested in developing a better understanding of Canada in general.