Fighting Back: The Chris Nilan Story - Hardcover

Nilan, Chris

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1443417017 ISBN 13: 9781443417013

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, 2013

Synopsis

One of hockey’s most feared enforcers reveals his off-ice battles with heroin and depression

Chris Nilan, who grew up in the tough and gritty Irish enclavein Boston, was a feared enforcer for the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers, and a Stanley Cup champion never afraid to go into the corners or take off his gloves. He was a valued teammate whose very presence on the ice affected the way the game was played. Always a colourful character, Nilan was married for many years to the daughter of the longtime girlfriend of Boston mob figure Whitey Bulger, among the most notorious, ruthless and murderous gangsters in American history—almost all of his Habs teammates attended the wedding. As an enforcer and as a teammate, Nilan ranks among the greatest of all time.

When the cheering stopped, however, Chris Nilan did not do well. The same qualities—his aggressiveness and high-emotion style—that proved so valuable on the ice did not serve him well when his career ended. Nilan turned to drugs and alcohol to dull his pain, and nearly died from an overdose. Nilan’s story is a fascinating and troubling exposé of the booze, bills and drugs that destroy so many athletes after their careers are over. But it’s also a story of triumph—Nilan has been the victor in his fight against his demons.

About this title

About the Author:

CHRIS NILAN earned every minute of the 688 NHL regular season games he played patrolling the right wing for the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. Fiercely loyal to his teammates and his club, Nilan racked up over 3,000 penalty minutes during his pro career, many of them against some of the toughest players the NHL has ever seen. Nilan was the subject of the documentary The Last Gladiator and now makes his home in Montreal.

WEB: knucklesnilan.com
TWITTER: @KnucklesNilan30

DON YAEGER’s career spans more than two decades. As an author, his books have sold more than 2 million copies and have appeared on The New York Times bestseller list seven times. Yaeger has been engaged as a media trainer to countless high-profile athletes, business leaders and elected officials.

WEB: donyaeger.com
TWITTER: @DonYaeger

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1443417017
• ISBN 13: 9781443417013
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 352