Angela James The First Superstar of Women’s Hockey

Angela James The First Superstar of Women’s Hockey by Tom Bartsiokas & Corey Long with a foreword by Adam Graves

Dubbed “the Wayne Gretzky of women’s hockey,” Angela James became the most dominant female player on the planet from the early 1980s through the mid 1990s. Her rise to hockey stardom, however, was a true long shot.

During a difficult plagued by near-poverty and family chaos, hockey was James’ escape. Talent and determination eventually took this hockey pioneer from struggling for ice time on boys’ teams to the Hockey Hall of Fame where, in 2010, she became the first woman, first openly gay player, and second black athlete to ever be inducted.

Angela James: The First Superstar of Women’s Hockey charts James’ rise to stardom from learning how to play on borrowed skates to dominating as an international success, from her controversial exclusion from the 1998 Olympic women’s hockey team and its aftermath to becoming the passionate educator, coach and mother that she is today.

This authorized biography features exclusive access to James, as well as one-on-one interviews with those who know her best, including some of the biggest names in women’s hockey such as Hayley Wickenheiser, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Bob Nicholson, Melody Davidson and Cammi Granato.

“This is the inspiring tale of a hockey player. Angela James continues to have a huge impact on the game she loves and had made an enormous contribution to the growth of hockey in Canada and internationally.” — Scott Russell, Commentator, CBC Sports

“Angela could dominate a hockey game like no other player I have seen. Her personality on the ice was so different than her gentle, caring one off the ice. She overcame so much in our sport and in her life and is a great person and role model for people of all genders and ages.” — Cassie Campbell-Pascall, former Team Canada captain and current Hockey Night in Canada commentator

ISBN: 978-1-77257-303-9 (PB)