Odd Man Rush: A Harvard Kids Hockey Odyssey from Central Park to Somewhere in Swedenwith Stops along the Way

(Hardback)

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Description

In his hilarious, gritty, and touching debut, Bill Keenana hockey star once on the fast-track to the NHLtells of how he overcame multiple obstacles to find fulfillment and redemption in the strange world of European minor-league professional hockey.

Keenans hockey obsession begins as a five-year-old on Lasker Rink in New Yorks Central Parklove at first stride, 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 doesnt end as plannedwith a fat NHL contractKeenan 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, Keenans deep affection for the game shines through, even as he describes fans who steal players clothes from the locker room or toss empty beer cans onto the rink after games. Abusive fans, cold showers, long bus ridesnothing diminishes his love for the sport. Because thats the way it works with me and hockey. Even when its horrible, its wonderful.

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Reviews

"An uproarious new memoir..." --Vanity Fair

Keenan puts a name, face, and voice to the majority the grinders who, despite their singular passion for the sport, do not advance to its highest level. . . . [He] understands the culture and captures it well. Boston Globe

"Ball Four meets hockey; slap shots abound.... A thoroughly entertaining, lighthearted romp..." --The Buffalo News

"Keenan's life story proves a journeyman's journey makes for one great read. . . He was a minor-leaguer, but his storytelling is major league." --Sal Barry, The Hockey News

"Bill Keenan is not yet a household name for hockey fans, but that might soon change." --Puck Junk
"An uproarious new memoir..." --Vanity Fair

Keenan puts a name, face, and voice to the majority the grinders who, despite their singular passion for the sport, do not advance to its highest level. . . . [He] understands the culture and captures it well. Boston Globe

"Ball Four meets hockey; slap shots abound.... A thoroughly entertaining, lighthearted romp..." --The Buffalo News

"Keenan's life story proves a journeyman's journey makes for one great read. . . He was a minor-leaguer, but his storytelling is major league." --Sal Barry, The Hockey News

"Bill Keenan is not yet a household name for hockey fans, but that might soon change." --Puck Junk

Author Bio

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.