WHL Player Impact Program to help players off the ice
The Western Hockey League is teaming up with the Calgary Flames and Calgary Police Service to launch a mandatory Player Impact Program. It's aimed at teaching young players to make good decisions off the ice.
"These players are at a young age and put into a high-profile, very highly competitive situation and consequently they're dealing with a lot of things," said WHL Commissioner Ron Robison.
Being away from home, going to school, playing a very intense schedule, can lead to all kinds of challenges, he says.
The education program will help young players understand appropriate social media use, the impact of drugs, alcohol, gambling, and the meaning of sexual consent, Robison says.
"We need to be sure they're supported in every possible way, from making sure that they understand the risks that are there with society in general but also the attention they get as a high profile athlete in their community."
The curriculum will be delivered by police officers and will be shared with police agencies in cities where the league has teams.
It will be shared with other teams in the WHL this fall.
