The NHL players’ association responded to Iltalehti about its practices on a general level.
Kasperi Kapa has been charged in Finland with aggravated drunk driving. AOP / USA TODAY SPORTS
Playing puck in the NHL club St. Louis Blues Kasperi Kapanen27, the question arising from the recent criminal charge is whether the Finn will be referred to the joint substance abuse program of the NHL and its players’ association NHLPA or whether the Finn will apply for it himself.
On Thursday, the information that Kapa has been charged with aggravated drunken driving became public. Kapanen’s case has started on August 23 in the district court of Pohjois-Savo.
The NHLPA will respond
Iltalehti asked the communications director of the NHLPA From Jonathan Weatherdon on a general level, whether an NHL player – anyone – will be referred to a substance abuse program, if he gets off the wheel.
– In accordance with the terms of the NHL and NHLPA player support program, the player would undergo an evaluation by the support program staff, Weatherdon said in his email response.
Drunk driving does not automatically mean referral to the program, but each case is evaluated separately.
IL also asked if referral to a substance abuse program requires that the case has ended in court and a criminal conviction. In addition, Weatherdon was asked what kind of substance abuse program there is in such a case.
The NHLPA’s communications manager did not answer these questions.
Famous names
The NHL and NHLPA player support program was established in 1996. The support program is intended for all players and their family members.
The program is intended to help people who suffer from mental health problems, drug addiction or other problems. A person participating in the support program receives help from at least a confidential telephone line and a support program advisor appointed in each NHL city.
The player or the club has no obligation to inform if the player participates in the support program. However, some have openly talked about it.
Among other things, the 22-year-old goalkeeper of the Florida Panthers has recently participated in the support program Spencer Knight. Knight started in the support program in February and reportedly has not returned to the team’s strength.
According to the US media, Knight will receive a salary for the period of participation in the support program. Knight can return to the ice after receiving permission to do so from the support program staff. It is not known why Knight is participating in the support program.
Perhaps the most famous player who recently participated in the support program and told the public about it is the superstar of the Montreal Canadiens Carey Pricea goalkeeper too.
Price resorted to the program voluntarily at the end of 2021. At that time, it was only reported that Price would participate in the support program. Later, the man himself told the public that he wanted to join the program because of substance addiction.
He also once participated in the NHL’s support program due to substance abuse Jere Karalahti. Karalahti later said that he did not agree to complete the program at the time. It was practically the death blow to the defenseman’s NHL career.
Sources: The Sporting News, AP