[sureLoss]

About time the PA actually did a program like this:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhlpa-readies-3m-b...ogram-1.303734

The National Hockey League Players' Association is finalizing plans on a watershed program to help current players return to school and prepare them for a multitude of issues they will face in transitioning from playing careers to retirement.

The program was conceived several years ago and will be unveiled at a time when the union is facing criticism from both current and former players about whether more can be done to help players cope with the stress of leaving hockey.

In April - two months after former Chicago Blackhawk Steve Montador was found dead in his home at age 35 - his one-time teammate Daniel Carcillo said in an online video that the NHLPA hasn't done enough to help its members move on with life. NHLPA executive Mathieu Schneider said that criticism is deserved, adding that a new program may mark a turning point.
TSN has learned that for the past two years, Schneider and his colleagues have been quietly researching professional sports leagues around the world, consulting with sports industry executives as far away as in New Zealand about programs that help active professional athletes improve levels of education and prepare for post-playing careers.

The personal development program will see players receive counseling about personal relationships and parenting, and be given the opportunity to shadow executives in industries such as finance.

The NHL and NHLPA have each pledged close to $1.5 million over the next three years to the pilot project, though it's unclear how much of the collective $3 million will go to pay for tuition and other fees at colleges, universities and trade schools.

The NHLPA hopes to begin the ambitious program this fall with at least 60 active players, two from each NHL club. The union envisions players using their downtime, like the many hours spent in hotel rooms between games, to study for online or correspondence courses.

In time, the NHLPA wants to expand the program to include retired NHL players.