Hockey has always been a sport steeped in a culture of violence, and players universally calibrate the level of physical contact by adhering to unwritten rules known simply as "The Code." As mysterious as it is sacred, The Code is the bible of hockey sportsmanship that is handed down from generation to generation. The Code picks up where the rulebook leaves off and fills in the gaps, all in an effort to govern the game and its players--"allowing them to compete in a manner deemed fair and respectful. To fully understand the significance and history behind The Code, Ross Bernstein, author of more than 30 sports books, interviewed more than 50 current and former NHL players, coaches, and media personalities. Their insights and stories explain why fighting is allowed in the National Hockey League and how The Code allows the players to police themselves both on and off the ice. That is what The Code is all about--"respect, accountability, pride, and honor.