Former Stanley Cup champion reflects on life after hockey and finally getting sober

Sometimes playing in the National Hockey League can be just as mentally taxing as it is physically. Leading to players to turn to other things to numb the pain.

Former Stanley Cup Champion with the Chicago Blackhawks, Brent Sopel opens up life after hockey and what lead him to become sober in a recent interview, take a look:


Sopel was far from the best person on the ice, but the stay at home defender did his job well in order to make space for Chicago's stars on their way.


After struggling with addiction and mental health struggles himself, Sopel founded the Why Program which explores the mental health aspect of life, not just hockey, in particular why things happen to people. He uses it as a mentorship program to help young hockey players.

Good for Sopel, when you retire from the NHL, a lot of former players battle with their head, it's really good to see a former player not only overcome his struggles, but use them for good.