Author takes a deep dive into the game’s subtleties.

Sports fans who don’t know a lot about hockey – I’m raising my hand – can get a nice introduction to the game by reading “The Science of Hockey: The Math, Technology, and Data Behind the Sport,” by Kevin Snow.

Snow, an author and former public relations rep for the Buffalo Sabres, packs his book with facts about the game that would be news to even a veteran hockey watcher. (Why is the puck made of vulcanized rubber? It has nothing to do with “Star Trek.”)

The book takes a deep dive into some of the more interesting technological advances in the pro game, including wearable tech that measures every aspect of a goaltender’s performance in the crease.

Snow took part in a five-question conversation about his book and hockey literature in general.

Taking a 360-degree view

What attracted you to writing about the technical side of hockey, rather than, say, the story of one team or one player?

Skyhorse Publishing had already released “The Science of Baseball” and “The Science of Golf,” and was looking for someone to do the hockey version. (I was connected to them through my friend and former Sabres colleague Kevin Sylvester.)

In the initial conversations with them, I did have some concerns about the science aspect of the project, and would I be able to translate that properly. But they really gave me a blank canvas and allowed me to create the outline of the book in my vision. My goal was to give the reader a different view of hockey, and how the technology and data intersects with all aspects of the sport. So whether you are watching in person or on television, I wanted the book to be a 360-degree view of the entire experience.

Since the book’s release in January, several people have told me they now watch the game from a different perspective, despite already having been a fan for many years. It’s the highest compliment I can receive, because ultimately that was my goal from day one.

Your book covers some interesting uses of technology in the NHL, such as the software that allows coaches and players to instantly review game action on iPads, and the Catapult wearable devices for measuring goaltender movement. Have there been any notable tech advancements since you wrote your book?

The analytics community is always evolving, and that will only continue to grow in leaps and bounds. The NHL also launched the NHL EDGE stats portal on the league’s official site in October, which now makes puck and player tracking data available to fans.

Some of this information was already out there for teams and media, but allowing the public to access this just

provides another layer of statistical data for fans to consume. Whether it’s skating speed, shot location or how much time a team spends in the offensive zone, fans can now bury themselves in data to get a more complete statistical look at the game.

Inspired by Toronto sportswriters

Were there any particular hockey writers (beat writers, columnists, authors, etc.) who captivated or inspired a young Kevin Snow to go into the writing business?

Growing up outside of Toronto, I was lucky enough to be in a three-newspaper town with the Toronto Star, Toronto Sun and Globe & Mail. I’d grab a copy of the Sun every morning on my way to high school, and then I’d read the Star sports section cover-to-cover when I got home at night.

Writers like Frank Orr, George Gross, Scott Morrison and Stephen Brunt were the ones that really lit the fire in me to pursue a career in journalism.

I also really enjoyed the work of Bob McKenzie during his time with The Hockey News and Toronto Star. His inside knowledge of the game, especially the NHL Draft, was second-to-none in my opinion. So you can imagine what it was like when 21-year-old me was sitting across the desk from Bob during my interview for a college internship at The Hockey News in 1991. (I got the internship.)

‘The Game of Our Lives’

Do you have a short list of your all-time favorite hockey books?

One of the first hockey books that really left an impression on me was “The Game of Our Lives” by legendary Canadian journalist Peter Gzowski, who spent the 1980-81 NHL season embedded with a very young Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers. It was a combination of inside access that fans weren’t used to at that time, along with an interweaving of the history of the game, as told by one of Canada’s most brilliant writers. Similar to how I was captivated by “The Bronx Zoo,” the tell-all book about the 1978 New York Yankees, I just couldn’t get enough of this book. I can’t tell you how many times I read “The Game of our Lives” as a kid, along with doing multiple book reports on it.

Other hockey books that I would highly recommend are: “The Game” by Ken Dryden; “Gretzky’s Tears” by Stephen Brunt; and “Net Worth” by David Cruise and Alison Griffiths.

Briere’s friendly aura

You worked for the Sabres for 10 years, allowing you to cross paths with many, many NHL players. Is there one player who stood out for being an incredibly nice human being? Maybe he doesn’t send you a birthday card every year, but he’d be a Lady Byng Trophy winner in the game of life.

One person I’ll always have time for is Danny Briere. Despite what people think, just because you work for a team doesn’t mean you become best friends with all the players. In fact, it’s almost the exact opposite. You’ll usually get a smile and wave from the guys, but I’m pretty sure the vast majority had no idea what my role was with the team. Danny is just a very down to earth guy who always made time to talk. It’s no surprise to me that he’s worked his way into a management role with the Philadelphia Flyers.