The Glue Guy

In hockey, the most important play is often the one nobody notices: the secondary assist.In The Glue Guy by Jeff Everson, Liam Donnelly has spent his life mastering it. On the ice for his high school’s varsity hockey team, he’s a defensive grinder who absorbs the brutal hits so his reckless, talented younger brother, Sean, can score the highlight-reel goals. Off the ice, Liam is the designated "Fixer"—managing his friends' crises, cleaning up Sean’s messes, and willingly fading into the background so others can shine.But being the responsible one is a lonely, exhausting job. Liam is tired of acting as the invisible janitor while internalizing a quiet lie: that his only value is his utility.That is, until his unseen genius catches the eye of professional hockey superstar, Matt Erickson.Behind the fame and the massive contract, Matt is isolated, burned out, and deeply cynical about the ruthless business of professional sports. During a chance meeting, Matt recognizes a kindred spirit in Liam’s profound grasp of defensive geometry and ice hockey strategy. What begins as a secret exchange of game tape blossoms into a life-changing mentorship and friendship. Matt teaches Liam to demand acknowledgment, while Liam’s authenticity and mental toughness restore Matt’s fractured love for the game.But as Liam’s role as Matt’s tactical ghostwriter pulls him further into the high-stakes world of hockey scouting and analytics, Liam must decide whether being a "Fixer" is a burden or a superpower during his coming-of-age journey.An exploration of male vulnerability, servant leadership, and the toxic expectations of high-level athletics, The Glue Guy is a tribute to the grinders, the tacticians, and the unsung heroes who hold the team together long after the crowds go home. Read more