"Pain Killer: A Memoir of Big League Addiction" by Brantt Myhres

[Jaybo]

Anybody else read "Pain Killer" by former NHL enforcer, Brantt Myhres yet?

Great read and he is *extremely* complimentary to Daryl Sutter in multiple spots in the book.

There are also a few comments about Milan Lucic among various others he interacted with in the NHL - both when Myhres was a player and then as an addictions specialist with the LA Kings.

[Derek Sutton]

Myhres has really gone off the rails politically, approaching Theo Fleury level of nonsense on his Twitter.

[AC]

Originally Posted by Derek Sutton

Myhres has really gone off the rails politically, approaching Theo Fleury level of nonsense on his Twitter.

Yikes.

https://twitter.com/BMyhres

[The Fisher Account]

I always feel kind of weird when you hear about these pro athletes referring to their coaches as father figures.

For me, it just cements weird hockey power dynamics that take advantage of fighters, particularly people like Myhres.

"I went and got my brain bashed in because I knew Darryl would give me a gut tap." Forget the fact that I'm 23rd on the depth chart and easily replaceable.

Crazy stuff.

[Skyceman]

Can we keep this on the topic as a good story about a former player overcoming addiction without trying to pull the guy down?

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

I always feel kind of weird when you hear about these pro athletes referring to their coaches as father figures.

Many troubled youth find acceptance and community in organized sport. That can be a great positive, though as you note, it is also an conduit for exploitation.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Many troubled youth find acceptance and community in organized sport. That can be a great positive, though as you note, it is also an conduit for exploitation.

It doesn't seem to dissimilar from the mechanism of gangs.

It's important that when that dynamic exists, it's not abused for power or profit.

[rooster]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

I always feel kind of weird when you hear about these pro athletes referring to their coaches as father figures.

For me, it just cements weird hockey power dynamics that take advantage of fighters, particularly people like Myhres.

"I went and got my brain bashed in because I knew Darryl would give me a gut tap." Forget the fact that I'm 23rd on the depth chart and easily replaceable.

Crazy stuff.

Don't most of these guys have to move away from home at 15 years old? That might have something to do with it. And coaches are good communicators. A lot of fathers aren't.

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by rooster

Don't most of these guys have to move away from home at 15 years old? That might have something to do with it. And coaches are good communicators. A lot of fathers aren't.

Many coaches are notoriously bad at communication. I do think it’s improving with the newer generation of players expecting more from coaches. You ask older players and many will tell you they rarely talked with their head coach and especially not when it regarded difficult news. Get sent to the minors, it’s the equipment guy telling you. Get scratched, it’s the white board telling you.