While we’re waiting for tomorrow night and the Islanders SECOND game of the season, (Shouldn’t they have played like four games by now? Seriously?) I started putting together my birthday wish list. First up, my very own subscription to The Hockey News since you really shouldn’t live without it and I have been. I don’t want to any longer, thank you.

I also like to get new hockey books each year. While other women my age pour over romance novels by the pool drinking Pina Coladas, I collect hockey books that I can read on long rides in the truck while drinking a Starbucks. My night stand is filled with them, some of them even personally signed for me.

However, this year I’m going to ask for Stan Fischler’s latest look at our local hockey scene, “Who’s Better? Rangers, Devils, Islanders or Flyers.” Now, I was surprised the Flyers were included in this rivalry topic, but according to those who have watched this sport here in New York far long than I have, they tell me the Flyers were a big part of the battles. I thought maybe they were included because Fischler wrote the book with Chico Resch and he’s been in net for all four teams. Was he? No. So, I’m obviously wrong.

What I DO know is that it is filled with great stories and arguments with categories covering topics like: BEST CAPTAIN ON A CHAMPIONSHIP CLUB, BEST GOALIE ON A CUP-WINNER, BEST COACH OF TITLIST. And then less controversial items such as: BEST BEARD, BEST ANTHEM SINGER, LONGEST-RUNNING WRITER COVERING A TEAM.

Sounds like some fun stuff. Stan and Chico debate and an impartial judge picks the winner. But in reality, it’s a book. We can make our own choices. And then just like the TV, we can yell back at it. You can check out more about it on the website http://www.whosbetter.net and even order it online for $16.95. That is one cheap birthday present! Okay, I’ll fess up. I think I’m in it.

The Rivalry topic is always great reading from articles to Blogs to books. Inside Hockey’s Brad Kurtzberg is working on a new book about the history of the Rangers/Islanders rivalry and has already interviewed the likes of Mike Bossy, Ed Westfall, Ken Morrow, Bob Nystrom, Gerry Hart, Mikko Makela, Kevin Weekes, Ed Giacomin, my buddy Garth Snow and many others. The cool thing is it’s an oral history of how THEY remember it including some great behind the scenes events that never hit the papers. The bad thing is … it won’t be out until NEXT year at this time. So I guess it will be NEXT year’s birthday present. (Hmmm… That mean’s I’ve got time to get myself in this one too. I’ll have to work on that.)

I just enjoy hockey. If I can’t watch it, I read about it. When I’m not reading about it, I’m writing about it. The books also keep me sane in the off-season. I finished Phil Esposito’s book this summer and John Buccigross’ book “Jonesy” last summer. I’ve got four others by Stan; two by Alan Hahn, one by Kevin Gibson and one little book of short stories called “Original Six” that got me started reading about hockey history. Looking at it now, I just realized that the chapter on the Rangers was written by none other than NY Times Slap Shot blogger Jeff Z. Klein.

So one day, along with all these great hockey books I have on my night stand, I hope to add one more – my own. Because that book in my head will be written. It will. If the people who lived this journey with me don’t try to kill me to keep me quiet first.

Isles hockey tomorrow. Let’s see who will add to their stat sheet.

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