Chicago Blackhawks Darling pays it forward
In the social-media crazed world in which we live, it's often difficult for professional athletes to keep anything a secret.
Somehow, someway, news is going to leak about what happened in a bar or a restaurant or even on the street.
Scott Darling found that out in a hurry when reports broke on Twitter that the Blackhawks' goalie paid for a homeless man to stay in a hotel for a month and also bought him groceries during the team's trip to Arizona last week.
"Just paying it forward," Darling tweeted. "Lucky to be in a position to help."
After the Hawks practiced at Johnny's IceHouse West on Monday, Darling was stunned that anybody even knew about his generosity because the only person he told was his fiancé.
"This guy came up to me in Phoenix when we were down and just asked me for money and I just started talking to him," Darling said. "Seemed like a good guy - just needed a helping hand."
Darling, in his second season with the Hawks, overcame alcoholism and knows what it's like to be feeling down about yourself.
"I definitely have a soft spot in my heart for that situation," Darling said. "People battling stuff that some people don't really understand. He seemed like a really nice person and (because) I'm in the position to be able to help somebody like that, I'm happy to do it."
Practice makes perfect?
On Monday, the Hawks held their first practice at Johnny's IceHouse West since late December. It was also just their fourth practice since the calendar flipped to 2016.
"It was nice having just morning skates for that stretch, but eventually you've got to practice sometime," goalie Corey Crawford said with a smile.
The Hawks conducted their normal, sharp workout with some emphasis on special teams and 3-on-2 rushes.
"It's valuable time to try and work on those things," Patrick Kane said. "Also work your skill. And you know, we try and practice like we play so it's a pretty high pace throughout the practices we do have."
The Hawks open a four-game homestand Tuesday against San Jose, playing every other day until Feb. 17 when they'll play at the Rangers.
"It's always good to reinforce things when you do have time," coach Joel Quenneville said. "But I still think we want to make sure we're keeping an eye on the guys, and at the end of the day, it's the energy and we want them fresh."
Slapshots:
Joel Quenneville said that Marcus Kruger (hand) is still not expected to return until the postseason. … Artem Anisimov's 4-point night in Dallas on Saturday tied a career high set on Jan. 19, 2011 when he was with the New York Rangers. … Teuvo Teravainen has just 1 goal in the last 23 games, and that was an empty-netter in a 3-1 win over Pittsburgh on Jan. 6.