Fighting Back

Overview

Chris Nilan, who grew up in the tough and gritty Irish enclave in Boston, was a feared enforcer for the Montreal Canadiens, the Boston Bruins, and the 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. 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. His 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, as Nilan has been the victor in his fight against his demons.

Author Biography

See Author

Media

Chris Nilan, author of Fighting Back, was interviewed by the Boston Herald.

Fighting Back was featured on Wicked Local Kingston, Wicked Local Halifax, and Wicked Local Plympton, in conjunction with author Chris Nilan's area book signing.

Chris Nilan, author of Fighting Back, interviews live on "Toucher and Rich" on 98.5 The Sports Hub, WBZ-AM.

Chris Nilan, author of Fighting Back, was interviewed live on "Fox 25 Morning News" on WFXT-TV (Boston).

Fighting Back was mentioned twice in the Andover Townsman.

Fighting Back was featured in the Sun Chronicle.

Fighting Back was featured in the Boston Globe.

Fighting Back was featured on the website for the Observer-Dispatch.

Fighting Back was mentioned in the Eagle-Tribune.

Fighting Back was featured in the Boston Herald.

Book Signings

Past Events

Press Releases

Fighting Back: The Chris Nilan Story

By Chris Nilan

Foreword by Serge Savard

Contact: Bill Ames, Triumph Books, 312.676.4256, b.ames@triumphbooks.com

Chris Nilan is remembered as the tough guy by Boston Bruins, New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens fans. Nilan’s autobiography Fighting Back: The Chris Nilan Story (Triumph Books, November 2013) is the inspiring story of Nilan’s battles – both on and off the ice.

Nilan considers himself a Hollywood stereotype as “the hard-edged, tough Irish kid from a tough Irish neighborhood in Boston,” where he earned the nickname of “Knuckles” way before his hockey career began. Despite the toughness Nilan displayed on the ice as enforcer, he experienced many personal struggles he continues to fight against every day, such as his severe problems with addiction. In Fighting Back, Nilan talks about his outreach in hopes that others can learn from his mistakes.

Fighting Back includes stories that touch on many aspects of Nilan’s life, not just related to his hockey career. Some of the highlights include:

• Chris Nilan’s encounter with his girlfriend’s father figure, mob boss Whitey Bulger, and how he handled himself when Bulger pulled out his gun
• Stories of Nilan growing up in fear of his father and the day his father hit him for the last time
• Details of Nilan’s personal struggles and how he managed to face them despite the extent to which they controlled his life
• Memories of growing up in Boston, where Nilan learned to skate on a makeshift rink that existed only when the dip alongside the road flooded and then froze
• The enforcer – Nilan has been known to fight more battles outside the walls of the hockey rink than within them, but never considered himself a bully and now speaks to students about how to deal with bullying

Fighting Back is the inspiring story of Nilan’s life and his continued fight against the addictions that had once consumed him. This book is great for all hockey fans, especially those curious about the battle against addiction, mob boss encounters and the details of Nilan’s role as the enforcer for the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers and the Montreal Canadiens.

About the Author:

Chris Nilan played right wing in 688 NHL regular season games for the Montreal Canadiens, the Boston Bruins, and the New York Rangers. He racked up more than 3,000 penalty minutes during his pro career and was the subject of the documentary The Last Gladiator. He lives in Montreal.

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