Rob Vollman's Hockey Abstract 2018 Update

by Rob Vollman, RJ Weise (Illustrator)

Are you a new fan of hockey analytics, looking to get a taste of what it's all about, while getting the low-down on all 31 teams? Or, do you already have one or more of the books in the Hockey Abstract series, and want to keep enjoying them by getting the latest data? Either way, the Hockey Abstract 2018 Update is for you! Just like the updates in 2015 and 2016, the Hockey Abstract 2018 Update not only serves as an excellent companion to previous editions, and includes updates on previously introduced and sometimes hard-to-find statistical data. For those new to the series, it's also a great stand-alone guide for team-by-team analysis. This year's edition is in full colour, and presents the information in a number of all-new charts and graphs courtesy of RJ Weise. It also includes 25 "stat of the day" popups by venerable long-time hockey statistician Stan Nieradka. This year's Hockey Abstract 2018 Update contains over 170 pages of fresh analysis, including new player usage charts and analysis for all 31 NHL teams, and updates to most of the statistics and studies that were introduced earlier in the Hockey Abstract series Goaltending statistics, like quality starts, relief goaltending, saves above expectations (SAX), Goals saved above average (GSAA), and expected goals Shot-based metrics, like SAT/Corsi, USAT/Fenwick, and expected goals, in all manpower situations Player and team contract value, and aging curves Coaching data Real-time scoring statistics, like hitting, blocked shots, faceoffs, and drawing penalties Setup passes NHL Translation factors (NHLe) The do-it-all index and the team accolade index Disciplined aggression proxy Presence and Individual Points Percentage (IPP) Cap Hit of Injured Players (CHIP)

Kindle Edition

Published August 14, 2018

About the author

Rob Vollman is an author, speaker, consultant, and long-time pioneer in the field of hockey analytics. His popular innovations have helped win Stanley Cups and Gold medals, and have shaped the way that teams are built, and the game is covered.

A former member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, Rob was first published in the Fall 2001 issue of the Hockey Research Journal. He has since co-authored all six Hockey Prospectus books, two McKeen's magazines, and has authored five books in his own Bill James-inspired Hockey Abstract series, including the highly popular 2016 book, Stat Shot.

While modern advanced statistical hockey analysis stands on a mountain of complexity, Rob's work is best known for being expressed in clear, focused, and applicable terms, often presented in a humourous and entertaining way. Whether you're arguing about the worst trades in history or which team improved most in the off-season, Rob's objective approach will add clear, cold facts to the discussion in a style that is undeniably engaging—and convincing!

Rob's most popular innovations include player usage charts, quality starts and home-plate save percentage for goaltenders, goals versus salary (GVS) to measure a player's cap value, the team luck index, his history-based projection systems, coaching metrics, the setup passes statistic, and advances in the field of NHL translations and league equivalencies (NHLe) to understand how well players coming from other leagues will perform.

In 2014, Rob organized a grassroots hockey analytics conference in Calgary as a platform for the field's latest innovations, starting a movement that has since spread to eight other cities, including annual events in Ottawa, Rochester, and Vancouver.

Rob's work can be found every week on NHL.com and ESPN Insider, where he has been featured since the 2008-09 season. In all, Rob has written 800 columns for a variety of hockey websites, and has been featured in the Hockey News, the Globe and Mail, the Washington Post, Forbes, and Rolling Stone.

Since his first guest appearances on Nashville Predators radio in the summer of 2011 and throughout the subsequent season, Rob has made over 300 appearances on 60 different radio programs, TV shows and podcasts in 20 NHL cities, including most notably NHL Game Day, Hockey Night in Canada radio, Sportsnet's Hockey Central and 2015 Trade Deadline coverage, Boston Bruins NESN television, TSN's That's Hockey, ESPN's Sportscenter and Hockey Today, CBC Radio, and Wharton Business Radio.

Based in Calgary, Rob is one of the field's most trusted and entertaining voices, and has helped bring what was once a niche hobby into the mainstream.

Reviews

[George Shiffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read from Rob Vollman as always. I think I finally understand player usage charts ... yeah! Too bad this was published before the Karlsson trade to San Jose ... it would be interesting to see what Rob’s prognosis is for them now!