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-   -   The NHL Thread (https://www.antsmarching.org/forum/showthread.php?t=324692)

DMBZeppelin 08-11-2015 10:04 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Has EA said anything about the Kane situation?

I know they have to be sweating bullets at the moment. They may or may not have a rapist on the cover of their video game coming out next month, and not a lot of time to make changes.

Image of cover: https://usatftw.files.wordpress.com/...g?w=1000&h=563

YouNeverKnow25 08-11-2015 10:05 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
my guess is that the decision has already been made on that issue, zepp

accused rapist and actual rapist are one and the same for marketing purposes

DMBZeppelin 08-11-2015 10:06 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by lockman21 (Post 16097816)
:lol Take it easy, it was mostly a joke.

I do think it's worth talking about the lives these guys live "growing up" compared to people like you and me. Kane moved out of his parents house at 14 years old where his life was basically hockey. He didn't have a traditional education, he was separated from his parents before he could legally obtain a learner's permit to drive a car, and has been basically praised since he can remember.

I think it's something that needs to be addressed in pro sports, especially the NHL (considering how young these kids are shipped off to basically just play hockey and live in dorms). These people aren't adults like you and I are adults. They need life coaching beyond just how to handle the press. I mean, we see it time and time again when they're taken advantage of for money...I don't know...I'm just thinking out loud.

Regardless if he's a man child or not, it's an irrelevant point. In the eyes of the law he's an adult. People usually graduate from college at 22. What age would you start considering Kane an adult?

rickyh24 08-11-2015 10:11 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DMBZeppelin (Post 16097862)
Has EA said anything about the Kane situation?

I know they have to be sweating bullets at the moment. They may or may not have a rapist on the cover of their video game coming out next month, and not a lot of time to make changes.

Image of cover: https://usatftw.files.wordpress.com/...g?w=1000&h=563


Saw on Twitter they are removing toews and adding Bill Cosby.

lockman21 08-11-2015 10:14 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebecca De Mornay (Post 16097841)
the jack johnson situation is something that maybe some specific education for young kids with a bunch of money all of the sudden could have prevented.

this is rape. do you really think someone sitting Kane down and telling him not perform rape would have prevented this?

sexual assault transcends all of these other human inadequacies and ego driven actions you're comparing it too.

This wasn't a post meant to talk about whether he's mature enough to know if rape is bad or not, just a post in general talking about how the maturity and upbringing of these people isn't near the same as us.

Clearly rape is inexcusable no matter what, that's not the point here. I was merely saying that, in general, these guys might need some life counseling on how to be adults in the pro sports world. Too many guys seem to handle it like children for YEARS.

Again, not related to the rape case, just a post about their maturity in general.

fonzz41 08-11-2015 10:16 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by lockman21 (Post 16097816)
I think it's something that needs to be addressed in pro sports, especially the NHL (considering how young these kids are shipped off to basically just play hockey and live in dorms). These people aren't adults like you and I are adults. They need life coaching beyond just how to handle the press. I mean, we see it time and time again when they're taken advantage of for money...I don't know...I'm just thinking out loud.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebecca De Mornay (Post 16097841)
the jack johnson situation is something that maybe some specific education for young kids with a bunch of money all of the sudden could have prevented.

this is rape. do you really think someone sitting Kane down and telling him not perform rape would have prevented this?

sexual assault transcends all of these other human inadequacies and ego driven actions you're comparing it too.

I think Chris is taking on a broader topic that moves a little beyond the Kane stuff at this point in saying that young hockey players take a very non-traditional path on their way to the NHL. And I totally agree with him.

There are numerous stories out there of NHL players who left home at 14 or 15 to play hockey and missed out on a lot. A few have said (Theo Fleury and Darren McCarty come immediately to mind as I read their bios recently) that a lot of what turned into huge alcohol and drug problems started at that time. There's very little supervision, and no focus on anything but hockey. No preparation for life beyond the game or non-hockey skill development. But at the same time, it's viewed as "the way to the NHL". You want to be an NHLer? You leave home as a teenager and go through juniors. We're starting to see a few more go the college route, but it's still not viewed as the optimal way to get to the bigs.

I've mentioned our family friend who was a former minor league player. He left home at 14 to play hockey, was drafted by the Capitals, but only ended up playing a handful of games for them. He was able to string together a pretty nice minor league career that kept him employed until he was almost 40, but after he retired he had nothing to fall back on. A wife, three kids, and no life skills. He's good now - apprenticed as a plumber and now he's firmly established in that field - but it highlights just how little life training these players get.

You do get those veteran NHLers who take rookies into their home to try and help them adjust, but that's on a volunteer basis and there's no structure to it. It's something I think the NHL and NHLPA is really behind the 8-ball on and would do well to perhaps begin to address.

Again, I'm not saying any of this would be the cause of Kane perhaps raping someone. I'm just adding on to the broader topic that Chris brought up (and actually, it's nice to talk about something a little different for a few posts).

lockman21 08-11-2015 10:18 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by fonzz41 (Post 16097898)
I think Chris is taking on a broader topic that moves a little beyond the Kane stuff at this point in saying that young hockey players take a very non-traditional path on their way to the NHL. And I totally agree with him.

There are numerous stories out there of NHL players who left home at 14 or 15 to play hockey and missed out on a lot. A few have said (Theo Fleury and Darren McCarty come immediately to mind as I read their bios recently) that a lot of what turned into huge alcohol and drug problems started at that time. There's very little supervision, and no focus on anything but hockey. No preparation for life beyond the game or non-hockey skill development.

I've mentioned our family friend who was a former minor league player. He left home at 14 to play hockey, was drafted by the Capitals, but only ended up playing a handful of games for them. He was able to string together a pretty nice minor league career that kept him employed until he was almost 40, but after he retired he had nothing to fall back on. A wife, three kids, and no life skills. He's good now - apprenticed as a plumber and now he's firmly established in that field - but it highlights just how little life training these players get. But at the same time, it's viewed as "the way to the NHL". You want to be an NHLer? You leave home as a teenager and go through juniors. We're starting to see a few more go the college route, but it's still not viewed as the optimal way to get to the bigs.

You do get those veteran NHLers who take rookies into their home to try and help them adjust, but that's on a volunteer basis and there's no structure to it. It's something I think the NHL and NHLPA is really behind the 8-ball on and would do well to perhaps begin to address.

Again, I'm not saying any of this would be the cause of Kane perhaps raping someone. I'm just adding on to the broader topic that Chris brought up (and actually, it's nice to talk about something a little different for a few posts).

:lol:lol So glad you showed up so at least someone understood what I was saying.

YouNeverKnow25 08-11-2015 10:18 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by fonzz41 (Post 16097898)
(and actually, it's nice to talk about something a little different for a few posts).

it's almost like that was...exactly the point of bringing it up

fonzz41 08-11-2015 10:24 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by lockman21 (Post 16097901)
:lol:lol So glad you showed up so at least someone understood what I was saying.

:lol Whether we agree or disagree on something, I think it's safe to say we always get where each other is coming from.
Quote:

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow25 (Post 16097903)
it's almost like that was...exactly the point of bringing it up

I think you might be on to something.

hailtopitt 08-11-2015 10:24 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by lockman21 (Post 16097901)
:lol:lol So glad you showed up so at least someone understood what I was saying.

we all got what you meant, but it had no bearing on the topic at hand and it's up to the parents of these kids to get them "life counseling" if they need it.

you act like its ONLY hockey players of the last decade who have had to deal with leaving home at a young age or having lots of attention at a young age

there are 8th graders making verbal commitments to Alabama football

there are high schoolers that move from New York or Chicago and go to Cali or Florida so they can play baseball 12 months a year

plenty of examples...if you have good parents and common sense you should be fine

fonzz41 08-11-2015 10:25 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
And Chris, your new av brought a tear to my eye.

Lcsulla 08-11-2015 10:32 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by fonzz41 (Post 16097898)
You do get those veteran NHLers who take rookies into their home to try and help them adjust, but that's on a volunteer basis and there's no structure to it. It's something I think the NHL and NHLPA is really behind the 8-ball on and would do well to perhaps begin to address.

You hit the nail on the head with this comment. In most other sports younger undisciplined players are taken under the wing of a vet or member of the coaching staff. Sadly the NHL is severely lacking in this type of helping young players adjust. Very nice post.

lockman21 08-11-2015 10:34 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by fonzz41 (Post 16097898)
I think Chris is taking on a broader topic that moves a little beyond the Kane stuff at this point in saying that young hockey players take a very non-traditional path on their way to the NHL. And I totally agree with him.

There are numerous stories out there of NHL players who left home at 14 or 15 to play hockey and missed out on a lot. A few have said (Theo Fleury and Darren McCarty come immediately to mind as I read their bios recently) that a lot of what turned into huge alcohol and drug problems started at that time. There's very little supervision, and no focus on anything but hockey. No preparation for life beyond the game or non-hockey skill development. But at the same time, it's viewed as "the way to the NHL". You want to be an NHLer? You leave home as a teenager and go through juniors. We're starting to see a few more go the college route, but it's still not viewed as the optimal way to get to the bigs.

I've mentioned our family friend who was a former minor league player. He left home at 14 to play hockey, was drafted by the Capitals, but only ended up playing a handful of games for them. He was able to string together a pretty nice minor league career that kept him employed until he was almost 40, but after he retired he had nothing to fall back on. A wife, three kids, and no life skills. He's good now - apprenticed as a plumber and now he's firmly established in that field - but it highlights just how little life training these players get.

You do get those veteran NHLers who take rookies into their home to try and help them adjust, but that's on a volunteer basis and there's no structure to it. It's something I think the NHL and NHLPA is really behind the 8-ball on and would do well to perhaps begin to address.

Again, I'm not saying any of this would be the cause of Kane perhaps raping someone. I'm just adding on to the broader topic that Chris brought up (and actually, it's nice to talk about something a little different for a few posts).

Quote:

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow25 (Post 16097903)
it's almost like that was...exactly the point of bringing it up

Sorry, been working on my new avatar...

But yes, that was the point. Talk about a broader topic issue than just focus on Kane.

Matty nailed it. So many guys end up leaving home at an incredibly early age to try and become a NHL player. Kids are deciding at 13-14 to leave their parent's homes and pursue that dream. Could you imagine? At 13 years old I was barely able to decide what jersey to wear to school, let alone live in a dorm and balance schoolwork and hockey. Would you do your schoolwork at 13-14 and no parental supervision? Knowing hockey is all you wanted? Growing up takes a back seat. Learning takes a back seat. It's all hockey, all the time.

Look at Seguin and how he acted. Can you really blame him in Boston? None of us know what that life is like, none of us know how growing up like that is. It's just a different world. The NHL, and all pro sports, but especially the NHL, need to address this.

I mean, inmates in prison have the option of learning to obtain GEDs and college diplomas while they serve their time, why doesn't the NHL have some sort of educational system where there can be structure outside practice and games? Maybe it would be good for some of these guys to be able to earn a degree while they skate.

Again, just stream of consciousness. Not saying Kane shouldn't be tried as an adult in a rape case or anything idiotic like that, just a separate semi-related thought when Kane's maturity was brought up.

lockman21 08-11-2015 10:36 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by hailtopitt (Post 16097912)
we all got what you meant, but it had no bearing on the topic at hand and it's up to the parents of these kids to get them "life counseling" if they need it.

you act like its ONLY hockey players of the last decade who have had to deal with leaving home at a young age or having lots of attention at a young age

there are 8th graders making verbal commitments to Alabama football

there are high schoolers that move from New York or Chicago and go to Cali or Florida so they can play baseball 12 months a year

plenty of examples...if you have good parents and common sense you should be fine

Not in the slightest?

Quote:

Originally Posted by lockman21 (Post 16097816)
:lol Take it easy, it was mostly a joke.

I do think it's worth talking about the lives these guys live "growing up" compared to people like you and me. Kane moved out of his parents house at 14 years old where his life was basically hockey. He didn't have a traditional education, he was separated from his parents before he could legally obtain a learner's permit to drive a car, and has been basically praised since he can remember.

I think it's something that needs to be addressed in pro sports, especially the NHL (considering how young these kids are shipped off to basically just play hockey and live in dorms). These people aren't adults like you and I are adults. They need life coaching beyond just how to handle the press. I mean, we see it time and time again when they're taken advantage of for money...I don't know...I'm just thinking out loud.

I just said especially the NHL, since these kids are literally leaving their parents homes for dorm rooms at 13 and 14 years old. Not just making collegiate commitments (which they can back out of), but literally leaving home.

And how can you know that last sentence? That's a ridiculously huge assumption to make for someone that has absolutely no idea what that life is like.

lockman21 08-11-2015 10:37 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by fonzz41 (Post 16097913)
And Chris, your new av brought a tear to my eye.

:lol:lol I felt like we needed something a little more lighthearted in here...

DMBZeppelin 08-11-2015 10:42 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by rickyh24 (Post 16097886)
Saw on Twitter they are removing toews and adding Bill Cosby.

Best cover ever?

http://i.imgur.com/VPg0wJ0.jpg?1

lockman21 08-11-2015 10:42 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Lcsulla (Post 16097928)
You hit the nail on the head with this comment. In most other sports younger undisciplined players are taken under the wing of a vet or member of the coaching staff. Sadly the NHL is severely lacking in this type of helping young players adjust. Very nice post.

Agreed! You see guys like Kimmo take Teuvo in, and hear about the impact it has on him...but you don't hear that every day. It's sad when it's a new story.

It should be common practice. These guys have hockey practice, games, and workouts...and that's it! There's no structure outside those things. Their free time is just that. Free time. When you're 21/22, have millions of dollars, and have had no formal upbringing...it's not a shock that some of these assumed adults act like children.

DMBZeppelin 08-11-2015 10:44 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by lockman21 (Post 16097931)
Sorry, been working on my new avatar...

But yes, that was the point. Talk about a broader topic issue than just focus on Kane.

Matty nailed it. So many guys end up leaving home at an incredibly early age to try and become a NHL player. Kids are deciding at 13-14 to leave their parent's homes and pursue that dream. Could you imagine? At 13 years old I was barely able to decide what jersey to wear to school, let alone live in a dorm and balance schoolwork and hockey. Would you do your schoolwork at 13-14 and no parental supervision? Knowing hockey is all you wanted? Growing up takes a back seat. Learning takes a back seat. It's all hockey, all the time.

Look at Seguin and how he acted. Can you really blame him in Boston? None of us know what that life is like, none of us know how growing up like that is. It's just a different world. The NHL, and all pro sports, but especially the NHL, need to address this.

I mean, inmates in prison have the option of learning to obtain GEDs and college diplomas while they serve their time, why doesn't the NHL have some sort of educational system where there can be structure outside practice and games? Maybe it would be good for some of these guys to be able to earn a degree while they skate.

Again, just stream of consciousness. Not saying Kane shouldn't be tried as an adult in a rape case or anything idiotic like that, just a separate semi-related thought when Kane's maturity was brought up.

But we aren't talking about "I never learned how to be responsible with money."

Lets say he has the mentality of a 14 year old. I knew at 14 that rape was bad.

fonzz41 08-11-2015 10:45 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Lcsulla (Post 16097928)
You hit the nail on the head with this comment. In most other sports younger undisciplined players are taken under the wing of a vet or member of the coaching staff. Sadly the NHL is severely lacking in this type of helping young players adjust. Very nice post.

:thumbsup I mean, hailtopitt is right in saying that there's a certain parental responsibility in prepping their kids. But there's only so much you can do before they leave home at 14. Chris is right, especially when you think about your maturity level when you were that age.

I'm not saying the league needs to become pseudo-parents. But if they're investing in these kids, I think they should also help prepare them for life. If not the teams, then the respective Players Associations for the various leagues. Just give them structure, something to work towards. The guys are used to structure in hockey and respond well to it... everything during hockey season is dictated by a structured schedule. So I think many would respond well to other learning opportunities if they were just pointed in the right direction. These are driven, motivated, smart kids - they wouldn't be getting to the NHL if they weren't. Just give them something to focus on.

I know the NFL does a lot of money-managing seminars now at rookie camps and that's a pretty new development. I don't follow the NFL enough to know if it's effective, but it's something the NHL/NHLPA could use as an idea starter.

lockman21 08-11-2015 10:48 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DMBZeppelin (Post 16097952)
But we aren't talking about "I never learned how to be responsible with money."

Lets say he has the mentality of a 14 year old. I knew at 14 that rape was bad.

Sigh...AGAIN...this isn't specifically talking about Patrick Kane and rape...

fonzz41 08-11-2015 10:50 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by lockman21 (Post 16097946)
Agreed! You see guys like Kimmo take Teuvo in, and hear about the impact it has on him...but you don't hear that every day. It's sad when it's a new story.

It should be common practice. These guys have hockey practice, games, and workouts...and that's it! There's no structure outside those things. Their free time is just that. Free time. When you're 21/22, have millions of dollars, and have had no formal upbringing...it's not a shock that some of these assumed adults act like children.

Again, the two of us basically saying the same thing :lol

But yes to you elaborating on the point of vets taking in rookies. You always hear about how AWESOME it is for the rookies. MacKinnon, Crosby, etc all talk glowingly of their time living with vets and how important it was to their adjustment and just seeing how normal adults act away from the rink.
Quote:

Originally Posted by DMBZeppelin (Post 16097952)
But we aren't talking about "I never learned how to be responsible with money."

Lets say he has the mentality of a 14 year old. I knew at 14 that rape was bad.

Yes, we've established that. We had kinda moved on to a broader topic. By all means though, this is a message board where we can post whatevs so continue talking about the Kane stuff if you want.

Rebecca De Mornay 08-11-2015 10:57 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DMBZeppelin (Post 16097944)

:lol:lol

Roose13 08-11-2015 11:01 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DMBZeppelin (Post 16097862)
Has EA said anything about the Kane situation?

I know they have to be sweating bullets at the moment. They may or may not have a rapist on the cover of their video game coming out next month, and not a lot of time to make changes.

Image of cover: https://usatftw.files.wordpress.com/...g?w=1000&h=563

They should just put Duncan fuckin' Keith on the cover.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickyh24 (Post 16097886)
Saw on Twitter they are removing toews and adding Bill Cosby.

:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol

Roose13 08-11-2015 11:03 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Lockman has a great point with the maturity thing. But that being said, a lack of maturity does not make you a rapist.

fonzz41 08-11-2015 11:04 AM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Roose13 (Post 16097972)
They should just put Duncan fuckin' Keith on the cover.

This is the best idea that's been presented in this thread over the past couple days. :thumbsup:thumbsup

lockman21 08-11-2015 12:19 PM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Roose13 (Post 16097972)
They should just put Duncan fuckin' Keith on the cover.

Their reasoning for Toews/Kane was so silly. Essentially = "NHL 16 is about teamwork, so we decided to put teammates that won the Cup on the cover. It just happened to be Toews and Kane."

Why not Keith and Seabrook? Especially since 19 and 88 were already on covers within the last 5-6 years individually.

Roose13 08-11-2015 12:31 PM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Well that was their nice way of saying that Kane and Toews are household names as teammates. Maybe make it Keith and Toews now.

lockman21 08-11-2015 01:03 PM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
I thought it should have been this minus Saad

http://cache2.asset-cache.net/gc/477...Ur%2FzXJgnM%3D

TMoore4075 08-11-2015 02:30 PM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by lockman21 (Post 16097816)
:lol Take it easy, it was mostly a joke.

I do think it's worth talking about the lives these guys live "growing up" compared to people like you and me. Kane moved out of his parents house at 14 years old where his life was basically hockey. He didn't have a traditional education, he was separated from his parents before he could legally obtain a learner's permit to drive a car, and has been basically praised since he can remember.

I think it's something that needs to be addressed in pro sports, especially the NHL (considering how young these kids are shipped off to basically just play hockey and live in dorms). These people aren't adults like you and I are adults. They need life coaching beyond just how to handle the press. I mean, we see it time and time again when they're taken advantage of for money...I don't know...I'm just thinking out loud.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lockman21 (Post 16097891)
This wasn't a post meant to talk about whether he's mature enough to know if rape is bad or not, just a post in general talking about how the maturity and upbringing of these people isn't near the same as us.

Clearly rape is inexcusable no matter what, that's not the point here. I was merely saying that, in general, these guys might need some life counseling on how to be adults in the pro sports world. Too many guys seem to handle it like children for YEARS.

Again, not related to the rape case, just a post about their maturity in general.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fonzz41 (Post 16097898)
I think Chris is taking on a broader topic that moves a little beyond the Kane stuff at this point in saying that young hockey players take a very non-traditional path on their way to the NHL. And I totally agree with him.

There are numerous stories out there of NHL players who left home at 14 or 15 to play hockey and missed out on a lot. A few have said (Theo Fleury and Darren McCarty come immediately to mind as I read their bios recently) that a lot of what turned into huge alcohol and drug problems started at that time. There's very little supervision, and no focus on anything but hockey. No preparation for life beyond the game or non-hockey skill development. But at the same time, it's viewed as "the way to the NHL". You want to be an NHLer? You leave home as a teenager and go through juniors. We're starting to see a few more go the college route, but it's still not viewed as the optimal way to get to the bigs.

I've mentioned our family friend who was a former minor league player. He left home at 14 to play hockey, was drafted by the Capitals, but only ended up playing a handful of games for them. He was able to string together a pretty nice minor league career that kept him employed until he was almost 40, but after he retired he had nothing to fall back on. A wife, three kids, and no life skills. He's good now - apprenticed as a plumber and now he's firmly established in that field - but it highlights just how little life training these players get.

You do get those veteran NHLers who take rookies into their home to try and help them adjust, but that's on a volunteer basis and there's no structure to it. It's something I think the NHL and NHLPA is really behind the 8-ball on and would do well to perhaps begin to address.

Again, I'm not saying any of this would be the cause of Kane perhaps raping someone. I'm just adding on to the broader topic that Chris brought up (and actually, it's nice to talk about something a little different for a few posts).

All of this. My boys know how to word it better than me. It was never an excuse. These guys didn't have the lives we did growing up. Lots of money, no supervision, no guidance at least not how a lot of us have had and people giving you things and never saying no. He's a rapist regardless of if he was drunk or not, but my question was an overall one, was he getting the guidance from people above him and would it have made a difference?

barbogast 08-11-2015 04:26 PM

Re: The NHL Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by fonzz41 (Post 16097898)
I think Chris is taking on a broader topic that moves a little beyond the Kane stuff at this point in saying that young hockey players take a very non-traditional path on their way to the NHL. And I totally agree with him.

There are numerous stories out there of NHL players who left home at 14 or 15 to play hockey and missed out on a lot. A few have said (Theo Fleury and Darren McCarty come immediately to mind as I read their bios recently) that a lot of what turned into huge alcohol and drug problems started at that time. There's very little supervision, and no focus on anything but hockey. No preparation for life beyond the game or non-hockey skill development. But at the same time, it's viewed as "the way to the NHL". You want to be an NHLer? You leave home as a teenager and go through juniors. We're starting to see a few more go the college route, but it's still not viewed as the optimal way to get to the bigs.

I've mentioned our family friend who was a former minor league player. He left home at 14 to play hockey, was drafted by the Capitals, but only ended up playing a handful of games for them. He was able to string together a pretty nice minor league career that kept him employed until he was almost 40, but after he retired he had nothing to fall back on. A wife, three kids, and no life skills. He's good now - apprenticed as a plumber and now he's firmly established in that field - but it highlights just how little life training these players get.

You do get those veteran NHLers who take rookies into their home to try and help them adjust, but that's on a volunteer basis and there's no structure to it. It's something I think the NHL and NHLPA is really behind the 8-ball on and would do well to perhaps begin to address.

Again, I'm not saying any of this would be the cause of Kane perhaps raping someone. I'm just adding on to the broader topic that Chris brought up (and actually, it's nice to talk about something a little different for a few posts).

Wait a second, you're friends with a former Cap?

(Yes, that is what I took away from the previous page of very long posts by many regulars in here)


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