Chris Nilan won the hearts of Montreal hockey fans during his nine years with the storied Montreal Canadiens. The latter years of his career took him to the New York Rangers and then to his hometown Boston Bruins. But in his heart – he would always be a Montreal Canadien; and a trade brought him back to Montreal so that he could retire as a Hab, the team that captured his heart from the first time he first pulled on a Montreal Canadiens game jersey.

In late May, Chris will deliver a one-man show titled KNUCKLES: The Chris Nilan Story. The concept of the show was initiated by Barry Lorenzetti as a fundraiser for his foundation that supports mental health initiatives. Veteran playwright and director Vittorio Rossi was brought on board to direct the performance. When asked about his role as Director, Vittorio stated “The show is in Chris’ words. It’s authentic. My role was to guide him in how to structure the presentation and some guidance in performance. Chris is a natural presenter and communicator.”

“The show is in Chris’ words. My role was to guide him in how to structure the presentation and some guidance in presentation. Chris is a natural presenter and communicator.” – Vittorio Rossi, Director

Chris Nilan’s love for hockey started in the local rinks of West Roxbury, a working-class neighbourhood in Boston where he grew up. Hockey was a major part of the social fabric during the winter months. “We played against the other Boston teams, and the whole town would turn out for the games.”

Chris NilanChris played with the Northeastern University Huskies before being drafted by the Canadiens to play with their farm team, the Halifax Voyageurs in the American Hockey League. He scored 15 goals and earned 10 assists, amassing 25 points in 49 games. “I played like a prototypical tough guy, and one of the reasons I scored goals is that I created space for myself in front of the net.”

“I grew up in Boston and we hated the Canadiens, but from the first time I put on that jersey, I was a Canadien. The Canadiens management and coaches wanted me to be more than a tough guy, they wanted me to be a good NHL hockey player. They invested time in me so that in addition to looking out for my teammates, I could score goals.”

Chris moved up to the Canadiens a year later in 1979. “The management and coaches wanted me to be a good hockey player.  The late Claude Ruel and Jacques Lemaire worked with me to improve every aspect of my game.  Claude would have me make wrist shots with a bucket of 50 pucks. When I was finished, he’d have me do it again.  My linemates Bob Gainey and Guy Carbonneau helped me a lot. I was an enthusiastic and willing party to their learning process. I played with Bob and Guy for four or five years.”

“At that time before free agency, teams stayed together as a group. Mr. Eric Molson owned the team, and he would host family dinners at Christmas, Halloween and other special holidays. There was a strong team dynamic. I lived here in the summers.”

“Chris Nilan’s life story is a beacon of hope, of triumph over adversity and facing down personal demons” – Barry F. Lorenzetti, Executive Producer

Part of the Canadiens ‘family’ included former stars who would stop by the dressing room. “We’d have Jean Beliveau, the Richards, Dickie Moore and other legendary players. They had our respect, and they respected us. They usually came in after a win.” And with a chuckle, Chris adds “not so much after a loss.”

The Canadiens 1986 Stanley Cup championship remains a career highlight for Chris. He was an overwhelming favourite with Canadiens’ fans. Chris always stood up for his teammates, and that often involved fisticuffs. He had an impressive collection of penalty minutes – but he also could and did score goals and earned assists. The extra coaching and practicing that the team invested in him paid off – he became a complete hockey player.

Chris played for the Canadiens for nine years and was devastated when he was traded to the New York Rangers. “That trade broke me,” he stated emphatically. After three years with the Rangers, Chris came full circle and was traded to his hometown Boston Bruins. But the Canadiens had captured his heart. A trade negotiated by the management of the two teams enabled Chris to retire as a Montreal Canadien.

“I wasn’t ready for retirement. I didn’t know how to deal with certain situations. The team is like a family, and when you retire – it’s gone.” Chris tried selling insurance before returning to hockey with the New Jersey Devils as an assistant coach to Jacques Lemaire. He then accepted a head coaching job with the Chesapeake Ice Breakers in the East Coast Hockey League. He took the team from a losing record to first place and won Coach of the Year award.

Chris had multiple surgeries to correct injuries suffered during his career. Following those operations, he endured incredible arthritic pain. Pain killers were prescribed, and he became addicted to pain medication. “All I knew was that the pain meds made the pain go away.” He became addicted to the pills, and when they ran out – he became addicted to heroin. “I woke up from a near overdose in a hotel room – alone and scared. I tried to get up, but my legs buckled and I went down.” The man whose motto was ‘Never back down and never stay down.’ was a shadow of his former self. “I got down on my knees and prayed for help.”

After a car accident caused by withdrawal sickness, Chris came back to Montreal. “I came here with my clothes. My friend Jimmy Barriere of BGL Customs Brokerage and Freight Forwarders helped me and Jaime a lot.”

“I met my wife Jaime when we were both in rehab, and we supported each other.”

“Mitch Melnick gave me a slot on TSN 690 (now The Team 990) five nights a week. With the help and encouragement of the station manager Chris Bury and Mitch, I got a regular show five days a week and did that starting in 2013 for nine years. I went to the Mitch Melnick School of Broadcasting. Mitch told me to just listen to my guests and ask questions related to what they were saying. ‘You gotta be a good listener!’ was his advice.”

Given his medical history, Chris had major concerns about the COVID vaccine. His family physician agreed and gave Chris a letter saying that he should be excused from having the vaccine. The station management didn’t accept that information, and Chris was fired.

Not staying down, Chris bounced back and started a podcast. Former and current players join him for video conversations. “You don’t make a lot of money doing this, and I refuse to accept advertising for gambling or alcohol. Both can destroy lives.”

Chris is now an Ambassador for the Montreal Canadiens. “It’s an honour for me to join past ambassadors like Beliveau and Lafleur. I’m proud to be part of that group of former players.”

Chris is also now an ambassador for the Barry F Lorenzetti Foundation, which supports organizations dealing with mental health. He came to the attention of Barry Lorenzetti through his Chief of Staff, Sue Dabrowski. “Barry reached out to me through Sue Dabrowski to be the coach of his team for a mental health fundraiser at the Bell Centre last year. Through the Barry F. Lorenzetti Foundation, he raises funds to support mental health initiatives.”

Preparing for the inaugural Foundation Cup in 2024, the two got to know one another; and Barry suggested that Chris consider doing a one-man show, talking about his life as a professional hockey player, his post-career challenges, his addictions and his struggles with mental health. It’s an inspirational true story of perseverance and personal triumph over adversity. “I’ve learned to overcome the stigma of mental health. That it’s ok to ask for help. I didn’t know where to go. I didn’t like asking for anything. I was the guy who was there to help my teammates.”

Now Chris Nilan hopes to be able to help others by participating in the one-man show to generate funds for mental health. To learn more about Chris and his philanthropy, please visit: www.knucklesnilan.com

Chris Nilan - Knuckles

Knuckles: The Chris Nilan Story 

Chris Nilan will be telling his inspirational life story over four nights on May 28 and 30, and June 3 and 5 at Maison Principale. During a recent media luncheon press conference, Chris gave a short preview of what audiences could expect. It was an emotional and uplifting talk and you could hear a pin drop.

“I want to tell people what it took for me to get to that point of stepping out on the ice as a Montreal Canadien. The people were clapping, but they really don’t know who you are. They can only imagine what was going through my mind that first time on the ice!”

“And then later, what it’s like when it’s all over, and there are no spotlights, no crowds cheering, and you’re no longer with your teammates in the dressing room. I want to share the retirement struggles that I and other players faced.”

Hardened veteran journalists were misty-eyed. Former Habs player and GM Serge Savard stood up and asked; “May I say a word?” He spoke eloquently of what Chris meant to his teammates, how they admired his courage, and how former and present players again admire his courage for taking his story beyond the dressing room to demystify mental health issues.

Veteran playwright, actor and director Vittorio Rossi is the Director, and Executive Producer Barry F. Lorenzetti is the person who initiated the idea of Chris telling his life story. It will all come together in four unforgettable limited time performances on May 28 and 30, and June 3 and 5.

For tickets, please contact Susan Dabrowski at: [email protected]

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