Former Blackhawks goalie calls out the NHLPA players assistance program
As the first Chicago-born Blackhawk to win a Stanley Cup, Scott Darling holds the distinction. In 2015, he achieved the ultimate prize with the Blackhawks.
Darling recounts his experiences with the NHL/NHLPA Players Assistance Program on the "What Chaos" Podcast.
During the podcast, the retired goalie expressed his dislike for the program because it was full of awful people.
Darling explained that the PA would ultimately screw the players and break their contracts instead of helping them in the long run.
Putting them in the category of "monsters".
Darling's interview with @WhatChaosShow:
«F�k them. I've told players � what I went through � if you need help, do it on your own. Don't ever go through the PA. And I'll say that honestly, I hope you guys fucking hear this: they're monsters. Go somewhere else. They can hold you, like, try and break your contract, stuff like that.
They're really bad people. If you're a player listening, go on your own, don't ever go through the PA to get help if you have an addiction problem or something like that.
You need people who actually want to help the players. There have been tons of players who have had to go through a program or anything like that. If you can't trust the people who are trying to help you, why the f�k would you go through there?
I'm not going to talk about the nightmare situation I had on here, but I will say, if any players are listening: go by yourself. You have insurance, go outside, don't let anyone in the NHL know you're doing this. You get graced leave don't go through the PA they're terrible people.»
The 34-year-old used to battle alcoholism back when he was in university.
According to him, if you walk out of the assistance program, your NHL contract could be terminated. Instead of relying on the PA for help, Darling says players should seek their own help.
A CBA does not explicitly state that leaving the assistance program will result in contract termination, but an agent confirmed that it may happen.
Founded in 1996, the program provided NHL players with confidential phone lines that connected them to mental health professionals and substance abuse counselors.
Scott Darling on the NHL/NHLPA's player assistance program
Recently, NHL players such as Samuel Girard, Spencer Knight, Carey Price, and Bobby Ryan have dealt with the program.
He wants the program to hire people who care about helping the players.
Darling had a .923 save % in 75 games for Chicago, but only managed a .887 save % in 51 games for the Hurricanes after signing a four-year, $16.7M contract.
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Do you think the PA needs to help NHL players better? | ||
| Yes | 58 | 79.5 % |
| No | 15 | 20.5 % |
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