Rink

Rink: Stories from an Oregon Ice Arena is a deeply personal and richly observed collection of stories by F. Michael Sheehan, capturing more than three decades of life, community, and transformation inside a small-town rink. Set against the backdrop of Lane County Ice in Eugene, Oregon, these essays chronicle a world that is both uniquely local and broadly human — where aging men chase a puck across slick ice, friendships form in locker rooms, and everyday people reveal extraordinary grace under fluorescent lights and falling temperatures.

From the first moment Sheehan laces up skates in middle age — nervous, unsteady, and captivated — he brings readers along for a ride that is alternately humorous, poignant, and full of grit. The stories cover the rough edges and quiet camaraderie of men’s league hockey, but they also reflect much more: the joy of mentorship, the ache of grief, and the passing of time. Through vividly drawn characters and spare, honest prose, Sheehan delivers a memoir-in-pieces that resonates far beyond the rink.

Critics and readers alike have praised Rink for its emotional intelligence and understated literary craft. “Sheehan's stories are funny, inspiring, and honest, with a quiet lyricism that lingers long after you finish,” writes one reader. Another notes: “This isn’t just a sports book. It’s a book about life — and about showing up for it, again and again.” Throughout the collection, Sheehan’s tone is never grandiose or sentimental. He writes with humility and a storyteller’s ear, allowing his love for the game — and for the people it gathers — to emerge organically.

The community portrayed in Rink is as real as any small town, populated by teammates with nicknames, rink managers with quirks, and aging skaters whose knees might be shot but whose spirits remain fierce. These stories — many of which originally appeared in local publications — are now collected for the first time, giving readers a rare glimpse into a culture of inclusion, tenacity, and second chances. Whether you’ve skated on ice or not, Rink will remind you what it means to belong.