Synopses & Reviews
In his hilarious, gritty, and touching debut, Bill Keenanand#151;a hockey star once on the fast-track to the NHLand#151;tells of how he overcame multiple obstacles to find fulfillment and redemption in the strange world of European minor-league professional hockey.
Keenanand#8217;s hockey obsession begins as a five-year-old on Lasker Rink in New Yorkand#8217;s Central Parkand#151;and#147;love at first stride,and#8221; as he calls it. He then becomes the youngest, and skinniest, player on the New York Bobcats, a Junior B hockey team. Later, after his hockey career at Harvard doesnand#8217;t end as plannedand#151;with a fat NHL contractand#151;Keenan decides to play in the minor leagues in Europe, where the glamour of professional sports is decidedly lacking.
Part fish-out-of-water travelogue, part coming-of-age memoir, Odd Man Rush will capture the interest of not just hockey fans, but also fans of good writing. Throughout, Keenanand#8217;s deep affection for the game shines through, even as he describes fans who steal playersand#8217; clothes from the locker room or toss empty beer cans onto the rink after games. Abusive fans, cold showers, long bus ridesand#151;nothing diminishes his love for the sport. and#147;Because thatand#8217;s the way it works with me and hockey. Even when itand#8217;s horrible, itand#8217;s wonderful.and#8221;
About the Author
Bill Keenan played hockey at Harvard University from 2005 to 2008 and professionally in Europe from 2009-2012. He no longer plays the game but still has hockey hair. He is currently pursuing his MBA at Columbia Business School and lives in New York City.