Chris Therien: Road to Redemption

In Philadelphia Flyers orange and black, Chris Therien cut an imposing figure on the ice, a stalwart physical presence for over a decade in the NHL. But by the end of his playing career, he was concealing a much greater battle with alcoholism which bled into his professional and family life.

The defenseman-turned-analyst now opens up candidly and completely, reflecting on his life and career with perspective gained from over 10 years of sobriety. Therien takes readers from the blue line to the broadcast booth, sharing untold stories from life in pro hockey while laying bare his private struggle with addiction, including his ultimate low in 2006 after the death of his sister.

Road to Redemption also details Therien's deep bond with the city of Philadelphia and his new path helping others find recovery from drug or alcohol abuse.

Hockey fans will not want to miss this heartfelt and vulnerable tale.

ISBN-13: 9781629379838

Media Type: Hardcover

Publisher: Triumph Books

Publication Date: 10-25-2022

Pages: 336

Product Dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.30(d)

Chris Therien is a former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 12 seasons in the NHL for the Philadelphia Flyers and Dallas Stars. He was the lead analyst for the Flyers Pregame Live and Flyers Postgame Live on NBC Sports Philadelphia. He currently serves as the chief wellness officer for Limitless Recovery, a rehabilitation center in Fishtown. Wayne Fish is the founder and editor of FlyingFishHockey.com. He has been covering the Philadelphia Flyers for the Bucks County Courier Times since 1976. In addition, he has been a regular contributing writer for The Hockey News for three decades and is a correspondent for New York Hockey Journal. In 2016, he won the Keystone Press Award for his story on the passing of Flyers founder and owner Ed Snider. With Sam Carchidi, he is the author of The Big 50: Philadelphia Flyers.

Table of Contents

Foreword Craig Berube vii

1 The Decision 1

2 Saturday Night Fever 7

3 Another Lake Placid Miracle 12

4 Last Dance with Mary Jane 23

5 Coming of Age 28

6 Dreaming of a Big Man on Campus 37

7 Draft Day Vindication 47

8 Joe College Arrives 54

9 The Lost Years 66

10 Welcome to the NHL 73

11 A Trade to End All Trades 88

12 Behind the 88 Ball 96

13 On a Tear with LeClair 122

14 First Signs of Trouble 129

15 Cashing In, Roger That 142

16 Land of Confusion 154

17 All Work, No Play 160

18 Here's to Your Mental Health 174

19 Wasted Away in Margaritaville 184

20 You Bettor You Bet 193

21 Beginning of the End 202

22 Loss of a Loved One 212

23 Skating Away from Skating 223

24 Radioactive 234

25 Time to Make the Decision 247

26 An Honor to Play for Snider, Clarke 260

27 A Life in the Balance 277

28 Sex and the Road City 290

29 Doing Right by My Loved Ones 301

30 Transition Time 314

31 The Road to Redeeming Myself 322

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