Book excerpt: This easy-to-read guide, filled with illustrations and action photographs, contains everything for the fan and non-fan alike to understand and enjoy the sport of ice hockey. Each section stands alone, so it can be used as a handy reference guide, and it is so lightweight it can easily be taken to games. The book includes:- The Rules of Hockey Simplified - The Most Recent NHL Changes - What to Look For During Play - Statistics Explained - League and Playoff Formats - Stars of the Past and Present - Awards and Records- A Complete Glossary. The National Hockey League expansion of the last decade and the increased television coverage exposed millions of new fans to hockey. The Stanley Cup is now seen in over 170 countries, while annual sales of NHL merchandise today exceed $1 billion. Yet hockey remains one of the least understood sports. With the help of this guide, you can learn to follow the excitement of America's fastest-paced sport in no time at all.