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44 // OCTOBER 2021 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM The other book in Sullivan's academic arsenal is "The Playmaker's Advantage" by Daniel Peterson and Leonard D. Zaichowsky. "The premise of that book is trying to answer the question of what is the playmak- er's genius?" he said. "What separates the top players from all of the others." As Sullivan spoke, those in the crowd of 400 attendees were busy scribbling notes while trying to soak in all of the knowledge they could from the two-time Stanley Cup champion coach. Don Granato, who opened the symposium, also referenced a book that impacted his journey up the coaching ranks. "There's lots of great books on leadership and management and sports psychology that I could recommend. One that I do recom- mend at symposiums I'm at is "Mindset" by Carol Dweck," said the newly-minted head coach of the Buffalo Sabres. "I think it's really important for anybody in coaching from the youth level all the way up. The concepts and simplicity she brings A sk any successful coach how they reached the pinnacle of their profession and they will likely talk about the major influences in their life. From parents to siblings to other coaches, there are endless stories of how others have helped them get to where they are. One of the untold influences in their professional development can often be found in the pages of their favorite books. As coaches from across the country gathered in Duluth, Minn., for USA Hockey's 2021 National Hockey Coaches Symposium, some of the brightest minds in the game today peppered their presentations with unsolicited plugs for books that have been a great influence on their lives and careers. Mike Sullivan, the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins and bench boss for the 2022 U.S. Men's Olympic Team, spent nearly the first half of his hourlong presentation speaking about two books that have impacted him as a coach. "The first book is 'The Talent Code' by Daniel Coyle," Sullivan said from the stage inside the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. "It's built on revolutionary scientific discoveries involving a neural insulator called myelin. Coyle spoke to many people and wanted to figure out the way in which we develop skill. "We don't want to overwhelm our athletes, but at the same time we want to make sure we're challenging that comfort threshold." By The Book Hockey's Top Coaches Find Inspiration In The Pages Of Their Favorite Literary Works By Kyle Huson PHOTOS BY Kyle Huson; Tyler Cole JOHN HYNES, HEAD COACH OF THE NASHVILLE PREDATORS, (ABOVE) WAS ONE OF A HANDFUL OF PRESENTERS WHO SPOKE AT THE 2021 NATIONAL HOCKEY COACHES SYMPOSIUM IN DULUTH, MINN. JOINING HYNES ON STAGE WERE THREE-TIME OLYMPIAN AND CURRENT ASSISTANT COACH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA NATALIE DARWITZ, (UPPER RIGHT), CURRENT NHL HEAD COACHES DON GRANATO OF THE BUFFALO SABRES (MIDDLE RIGHT) AND MIKE SULLIVAN OF THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (LOWER RIGHT).