Terry Ryan was poised to take the hockey world by storm when he was selected eighth overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1995 NHL draft, their highest draft pick in a decade. Expected to go on to become a hockey star, Ryan played a total of eight NHL games for the Canadiens, scoring no goals and no assists: not exactly the career he, or anyone else, was expecting.

Though Terry’s NHL career wasn’t long, he experienced a lot and has no shortage of hilarious and fascinating revelations about life in pro hockey on and off the ice. In Tales of a First-Round Nothing, he recounts the time he was dared to drink 24 beers in eight hours, partying with rock stars, and everything in between. Ryan tells it like it is, detailing his rocky relationship with Michel Therrien, head coach of the Canadiens, and explaining what life is like for a man who was unprepared to have his career over so soon.

Terry Ryan: Terry Ryan played professional hockey for nearly a decade, and continues to play in a senior league. He is currently completing an education degree and lives in Portugal Cove, Newfoundland, with his wife and their two children.
Aaron Asham: Arron Asham was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1996 and has played more than 850 NHL games for the Habs, Islanders, Devils, Flyers, Penguins and New York Rangers.
Jim Cuddy: Jim Cuddy is a singer, songwriter and founding member of the internationally acclaimed Canadian band Blue Rodeo.

Foreword by Arron Asham
Foreword by Jim Cuddy
Introduction

Quesnel, British Columbia 1991–1993
Welcome to the Wild West
Yo Wanna Go, Kid?
Retribution
The 14-Year-Old Virgin

Major Junior / NHL Draft 1993–1997
Crash Test Dummy
The Mike Milbury Story
Napoleon’s Bone
Respect Redden
The Rocky Thompson Story
Hey Now, You’re an All Star
It’s All for Rebel
The Hot Stick
Opportunity Knocks

Montreal / Freddy Beach, 1995–1999
The Day I Fought Tie Domi
Rewf
Montreal Memories
Trading Places
Barbie & Ken
On the Juice, With the Juice
The Fisher King
I Am Canadien
Growing Pains
He’s a Bird Dog

From Long Beach to Utah to St. John’s, 1999–2000
If You Can’t Beat ’Em . . .

Colorado Gold Kings and Hershey Bears, 2000–2001
Bad to the Bone
It Hasn’t Hit Me Yet
Hershey Bears
Dallas Maverick

Idaho Steelheads, 2001–2002
By the Skin of My Teeth
What’s All the Buzz About?

Cincinnati / Orlando, 2002–2003
Hurt So Good
Fun in the Sun

The Last Decade
Knights for Life
Man, You’re Good Lookin’
Senior Citizens
Clap for the Wolfman

The Conception Bay Comeback
TR on the IR

Why I Love the Game
Physicality
The Schedule
Hockey Players Carry a Weapon
There Is No Out of Bounds
The Playoffs
Intangibles

The Last Word