Chris "Knuckles" Nilan

For Montreal Canadiens fans, Chris "Knuckles" Nilan is the ultimate symbol of heart and toughness. Born in Boston, he played 688 NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens, the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins between 1980 and 1992. He won the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1986. Fiercely loyal to his teammates, he remains the Canadiens' all-time leader in penalty minutes and is today an official ambassador of the Montreal Canadiens.

In October 2019, at a Canadiens alumni event at the Bell Centre, Chris met Kevin James Reason, a lifelong fan who had just learned that his son Liam had POLG disease. Moved by Kevin's determination and by Liam's courage, Chris made him a promise that night: he would help in any way he could. He has kept that promise ever since.

As ambassador of The Liam Foundation, Chris has become one of the most powerful voices in the fight against mitochondrial disease. He created the Heart of a Warrior campaign and launched the Liam & Knuckles apparel line, with 100% of profits going to the foundation. He also lends his name to the foundation's signature fundraising event, the Chris Nilan Golf Classic. The 2nd edition raised $200,000, and the 3rd edition raised $300,000. His network of former teammates, fans and partners has helped bring Liam's story to thousands of people and fund life-changing research for children with POLG around the world.

Chris knows what it means to get knocked down and get back up. Today, he brings that same spirit to a fight that matters more than any game: giving Liam and children like him a future.