Clan-Members » he showed Sunday with his drill work on the si

The NHL and NHLPA want players to plan for life after hockey long before they hang up their skates.Now they have an avenue to do so.The league and union on Thursday announced a new program intended to help players further their education, network and find out what jobs they may be suited for, such as finance and broadcasting. The goal of the Core Development Program is to connect with players early so the transition to life after hockey is easier.Its not just for players late in their careers, deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. Its going to be focused on players and really raising awareness among even the younger players that the sooner they can start focusing on the longer term, the better off theyll generally be -- as much in their careers as after their careers.The NFL, NBA and MLB all have resources to help players transition after retirement, and the NHL Alumni has one with the Break Away program. This new endeavor is closer to the NFL and NFLPAs Player Engagement department that focuses on continued education, financial stability and career development.Retired defenseman Mathieu Schneider, now the NHLPAs special assistant to the executive director, said player feedback as far back as 2013 helped spawn the new program. He said he believes players are generally conscious of the uncertainty of life after hockey and many wanted more assistance.Its really to help guys figure out first what they think theyre good at, and then second to help them figure out what they really are good at and to give them the tools to be successful at whatever it may be that theyre interested in, said Schneider, who called the diversity of the union membership the biggest challenge. You have a significant number of players that want to (get a college degree), you have a significant number of players that might want to start their own business, that want to be involved with finance, that want to become agents. While theyre playing, they have incredible opportunities that other people might not have.Some players have taken their own initiative in establishing non-hockey interests during their playing days, such as Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara getting his real estate license. Longtime forward Jeff Halpern, now an assistant coach for the American Hockey Leagues Syracuse Crunch, considers an example such as Chara the best way to sell this program to current players.I think its easy when guys are ending their careers or at the end of their career for people to become interested because they realize that their window is closing, said Halpern, part owner of a fried chicken and doughnut shop in the Washington area. Getting through to young players may be the hardest obstacle for the league and for the PA. I think most guys, they want to hear about other examples, other things that could be made available to them.Washington Capitals defenseman Nate Schmidt is in the process of studying for his real estate exam and working with an adviser at the University of Minnesota. He said he thinks the program could help a lot of players fill their time and ease their minds.A lot of guys, I think, are just scared of what happens after theyre done playing, Schmidt said. Even for a guy that has a college degree, Im kind of nervous for when that day might come.Taking away the What now? nerves is another potential benefit of the program. In other words, a relaxed player is a better player.There have been studies done that show that players that are prepared for life after sports, after their careers, actually perform better during their careers, Schneider said. Maybe it alleviates the anxiety or the some of the pressure that might come normally.The voluntary program is independent of Break Away, but Daly didnt rule out collaboration later. More ideas cant hurt, and players are glad to know they have help coming up with future paths.You need to be aware of the opportunity thats there, Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner said. Its nice to learn and be more of a well-rounded person because hockey is just one part of your life and it lasts for a year to 20, if youre lucky, and then you got a whole lot more hopefully to live.---Follow Stephen Whyno on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SWhyno Cheap Stan Smith Shoes China .1 million pounds ($61.2 million) on Saturday, giving the beleaguered English Premier League champions a major lift. Cheap Adidas Stan Smith . Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team. http://www.cheapstansmithshoes.com/ .H. -- Matt Kenseth made it 2 for 2 in the Chase, holding off teammate Kyle Busch to win Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Wholesale Authentic Stan Smith . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Discount Stan Smith .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. GREEN BAY, Wis. -- As he lay on the ground, Ty Montgomery caught several passes thrown by wide receivers coach Luke Getsy from in front of and behind the young Green Bay receiver Sunday.Even on what was supposed to be a day off for him from practice, Montgomery didnt feel compelled to just stand around as his teammates worked.Finally back on the field after missing most of his rookie season in 2015 because of an ankle injury, Montgomery is playing catch-up as he tries to win back a roster spot.Im excited to be a part of this competition right now, Montgomery said after practice Sunday.The belated debut of Montgomery in training camp last week added to whats already been a highly competitive preseason battle among a deep pool of candidates at receiver.And the return of Montgomery may have come at a good time since the Packers are without Jeff Janis for at least this week.Janis suffered a broken right hand in practice Wednesday and didnt play Green Bays first preseason game two days later. The third-year pro watched Sundays practice with a cast on the injured hand.The indefinite loss of Janis, who had a breakout game in the playoffs last season, comes as the Packers still are waiting on veteran standout Jordy Nelson (knee) to be activated from the physically unable to perform list.After Nelson and fellow starter Randall Cobb, the Packers have several candidates making their case for the few remaining receiver spots to be filled for the start of the season next month.Its very, very competitive, but thats what you want, Montgomery said. You know for a fact that the guys that do make the team are going to be really good guys, going to be some playmakers.Montgomery hopes to be making plays again for Green Bay after his extended layoff from football.Taken in the third round of the draft, Montgomery played only the first six games last season before he sustained what turned out to be a severe ankle injury in a win over the Chargers on Oct. 18.Montgomery had surgery on the ankle in December and spent the entire offseason as well as the first two weeks of training camp in recovery mode.dddddddddddd.Though he felt a little rusty, Montgomery cherished the chance to play again in the 17-11 win over the Browns on Friday after he started practicing earlier in the week.Most volume (of work) Ive had since I had the surgery, including last week, too, Montgomery said. But it felt good to get back out there. I was excited.He had only one catch against the Browns, but the reception for 7 yards still was significant since Montgomery last caught a pass in a game 10 months ago as Green Bays No. 3 receiver.Its good to see him back, and hes looking like hes pretty healthy, too, Getsy said.And, as he showed Sunday with his drill work on the side as Getsy threw passes from different angles to the prone receiver, Montgomery isnt resting in the fight to win a job.I was just grateful to be back out there, he said about playing Friday. Its the first time its been taken away from me for that long.Game notes Backup QB Brett Hundley practiced Sunday. The second-year player had been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury in practice Aug. 1. Cobb and linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers also practiced after not playing Friday. Cobb (calf) and Matthews (ankle) were injured last week. S Morgan Burnett (back) didnt practice Sunday. First-year offensive lineman Matt Rotheram (bicep) had his left arm in a sling after playing Friday. ... The Packers placed long snapper Jesse Schmitt (broken hand) on injured reserve and signed undrafted rookie center Kyle Steuck, a Green Bay native. Its sweet, its really cool, kind of surreal, a dream come true, said Steuck, who played at Division II Northern Michigan. He was helping coach the football team at his alma mater, West De Pere High School, before the Packers worked him out Saturday. ' ' '