These questions originally appeared on Quora, the knowledge-sharing network where compelling questions are answered by people with unique insights.
Answers by Bill Keenan, former pro hockey player and author of "Odd Man Rush," on Quora:
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Q: What is the lifestyle of a minor league hockey player like?
It's awesome . . . as long as you're playing well. The best days are the ones following a big win, especially if you contributed with a goal or two. I remember in Sweden getting groceries for free after big wins because the guy who owned the local store was a team sponsor and diehard fan of the team. You're a mini-celebrity in that city — the sports section might have your picture plastered on the front of it and even though the article is in another language, you know it's all good. Unfortunately, the flip side is that when the team starts losing, you're the scapegoat (deserved or not). Groceries and meals aren't free anymore and local sports articles are now calling for you to be traded. Reality sets in the day you walk into the locker room and your hockey pants are no longer in your stall. Translation: You've been cut or traded. Pack your gear up (or in most cases return it to the equipment room).
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Q: What is it like to be an American playing hockey in Europe?
I don't know if there's a better experience for a guy in his early 20s. On the ice, the coaches are yelling in whatever their native language is so the ability to zone their voices out and simply focus on the game is much easier. And off the ice, you gain a greater understanding of how much the world at large caters to Americans. Every city I played in, people were enamored with the idea of America, which meant actually being American meant I represented every ideal they envisioned. While the reality is that I was really just some kid trying to score some goals on any team that would give me a shot, the fact is that most of the places I played in, my teammates and the rest of the community went out of their way to make me feel at home.