There are few figures in hockey I truly despise.
Mark Messier. Any Canucks fan will understand why. Todd Bertuzzi. He lost me long before the Steve Moore incident.
And then there is the curious case of Mike Keenan.
Long before he was brought in to coach Vancouver (by de facto general manager Messier), I never liked the way he handled relationships with many people. Brett Hull most famously, but many others.
Yet I always admired his in-game coaching tactics. Some were genius. Others were curious. But there was never any doubt he new how to run a bench. He should be in the Hockey Hall of Fame as one of hockey's all time great coaches.
Then he got to Vancouver, and I hated - HATED - the way he and Messier tore apart everything Pat Quinn and the Griffiths family created. Ultimately it was probably new ownerships directive, but whatever. Keenan was in charge.
It was a curious time where I saw the two sides of Coach Keenan - at his best and at his worst. Best, well, the Canucks were terrible at that time, so that's a stretch. He tore it all down but didn't last long enough to see the results. But I remember being fascinated at his in-game tactics. And of course at his worst, the way he treated pretty much everyone other than Saint Messier.
Regardless, I've long been fascinated by Keenan, dating back to his arrival in Philadelphia (he almost debuted in Vancouver in 1984!) and with Team Canada, most notably in 1987 and 1991 Canada Cups.
When his autobiography was released in the fall of 2024, I knew it would be a must read for me. The surprise would be it would be the first book of a strong 2024 class that I would read.
"Iron Mike: My Life Behind The Bench" by Mike Keenan is a raw, unfiltered look into the mind of one of hockey's most polarizing figures. Known for his hard-nosed coaching style, Keenan has earned his reputation as one of the NHL’s toughest coaches. This memoir is not just a recount of games and seasons; it’s a deep dive into the pressures, triumphs, and sometimes-controversial decisions that defined Keenan's career.
The book takes readers through Keenan's early days, giving insight into the experiences that shaped his relentless approach to coaching. It moves through his time behind the bench for teams like the Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and St. Louis Blues, exploring his methods and the intense drive that led him to success and, at times, alienated his players. Keenan doesn’t shy away from addressing the criticisms he faced, especially his often strained relationships with players. The book’s candidness is both refreshing and striking; he addresses his clashes with team management, his coaching philosophies, and his struggles to balance the intense demands of coaching with his personal life.
One of the most compelling parts of the book is Keenan's recounting of his tenure with the New York Rangers, where he led the team to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years in 1994. Keenan’s insights into the pressure cooker that was New York during that season, as well as his complex relationship with team management, highlight the thin line he often walked between hero and antagonist. He also shares the challenges he faced coaching some of the game’s biggest stars and how he handled the difficult personalities on the team. That being said, I felt he definitely takes the high road on his most infamous clashes, namely Brett Hull. For all the time wasted on these controversies, Keenan says what he feels needs to be said but does not spend as much time on them as interested readers probably want. That being said, he does seem to throw Brian Burke under the bus.
While Keenan's tone is often unapologetic, he also offers a reflective side, exploring how his coaching style evolved as he learned from each season. Readers get a sense of Keenan’s unwavering commitment to the game, but they also see the toll it took on him and his family. The book provides a balanced view of his career, allowing fans and critics alike to better understand the man who has been both revered and reviled in hockey circles.
Keenan’s storytelling is straightforward and engaging, though at times it might feel a bit defensive, especially when addressing his critics. However, this defensiveness can also be seen as an authentic reflection of a man who has spent his life defending his methods. Keenan’s voice, through the excellent writing of Scott Morrison, is distinct, and his honesty about both his triumphs and missteps gives readers a genuine look at his life behind the bench.
"Iron Mike: My Life Behind The Bench" is a compelling read for anyone interested in hockey, coaching, or leadership. It sheds light on the complexities of managing elite athletes and offers valuable lessons about resilience and conviction. Fans of the NHL will find plenty to enjoy, while those curious about the psychology of high-stakes coaching will gain insight into the mindset of a man who pushed players to their limits to bring out their best—or, at times, drive them away. Whether you view Keenan as a hero or a villain, this book will challenge and deepen your understanding of one of hockey’s most enigmatic coaches.
Mark Messier. Any Canucks fan will understand why. Todd Bertuzzi. He lost me long before the Steve Moore incident.
Long before he was brought in to coach Vancouver (by de facto general manager Messier), I never liked the way he handled relationships with many people. Brett Hull most famously, but many others.
Yet I always admired his in-game coaching tactics. Some were genius. Others were curious. But there was never any doubt he new how to run a bench. He should be in the Hockey Hall of Fame as one of hockey's all time great coaches.
Then he got to Vancouver, and I hated - HATED - the way he and Messier tore apart everything Pat Quinn and the Griffiths family created. Ultimately it was probably new ownerships directive, but whatever. Keenan was in charge.
It was a curious time where I saw the two sides of Coach Keenan - at his best and at his worst. Best, well, the Canucks were terrible at that time, so that's a stretch. He tore it all down but didn't last long enough to see the results. But I remember being fascinated at his in-game tactics. And of course at his worst, the way he treated pretty much everyone other than Saint Messier.
Regardless, I've long been fascinated by Keenan, dating back to his arrival in Philadelphia (he almost debuted in Vancouver in 1984!) and with Team Canada, most notably in 1987 and 1991 Canada Cups.
When his autobiography was released in the fall of 2024, I knew it would be a must read for me. The surprise would be it would be the first book of a strong 2024 class that I would read.
"Iron Mike: My Life Behind The Bench" by Mike Keenan is a raw, unfiltered look into the mind of one of hockey's most polarizing figures. Known for his hard-nosed coaching style, Keenan has earned his reputation as one of the NHL’s toughest coaches. This memoir is not just a recount of games and seasons; it’s a deep dive into the pressures, triumphs, and sometimes-controversial decisions that defined Keenan's career.
The book takes readers through Keenan's early days, giving insight into the experiences that shaped his relentless approach to coaching. It moves through his time behind the bench for teams like the Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and St. Louis Blues, exploring his methods and the intense drive that led him to success and, at times, alienated his players. Keenan doesn’t shy away from addressing the criticisms he faced, especially his often strained relationships with players. The book’s candidness is both refreshing and striking; he addresses his clashes with team management, his coaching philosophies, and his struggles to balance the intense demands of coaching with his personal life.
One of the most compelling parts of the book is Keenan's recounting of his tenure with the New York Rangers, where he led the team to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years in 1994. Keenan’s insights into the pressure cooker that was New York during that season, as well as his complex relationship with team management, highlight the thin line he often walked between hero and antagonist. He also shares the challenges he faced coaching some of the game’s biggest stars and how he handled the difficult personalities on the team. That being said, I felt he definitely takes the high road on his most infamous clashes, namely Brett Hull. For all the time wasted on these controversies, Keenan says what he feels needs to be said but does not spend as much time on them as interested readers probably want. That being said, he does seem to throw Brian Burke under the bus.
While Keenan's tone is often unapologetic, he also offers a reflective side, exploring how his coaching style evolved as he learned from each season. Readers get a sense of Keenan’s unwavering commitment to the game, but they also see the toll it took on him and his family. The book provides a balanced view of his career, allowing fans and critics alike to better understand the man who has been both revered and reviled in hockey circles.
Keenan’s storytelling is straightforward and engaging, though at times it might feel a bit defensive, especially when addressing his critics. However, this defensiveness can also be seen as an authentic reflection of a man who has spent his life defending his methods. Keenan’s voice, through the excellent writing of Scott Morrison, is distinct, and his honesty about both his triumphs and missteps gives readers a genuine look at his life behind the bench.
"Iron Mike: My Life Behind The Bench" is a compelling read for anyone interested in hockey, coaching, or leadership. It sheds light on the complexities of managing elite athletes and offers valuable lessons about resilience and conviction. Fans of the NHL will find plenty to enjoy, while those curious about the psychology of high-stakes coaching will gain insight into the mindset of a man who pushed players to their limits to bring out their best—or, at times, drive them away. Whether you view Keenan as a hero or a villain, this book will challenge and deepen your understanding of one of hockey’s most enigmatic coaches.
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