R.I.P. Scott Winkler and Kristians Pelss.?

I want to talk about the death of these 2 young men... especially Pelss. Does this make anyone else realize that hockey players, or any other athlete at the professional level, are indeed just human beings? I think we lose sight of the true people that they really are. We tend to look at them as these privileged, lucky men/women. And don't get me wrong, to be able to play pro sports is nothing less than a privilege, but we forget that they're humans with problems, including depression. Sometimes it takes a tragedy such as suicide to realize that these young men, appearing so strong and untouchable, are just regular people. I can remember tearing up when I heard about Boogard, Belak, and Rypien. Especially Rypien... a hockey player such as myself who lived a troubled life, battling depression and suicidal thoughts, finally gave in one day.

I think the pressure put on these kids drives them too extremes such as suicide or drugs. The feeling of inadequacy is the worst, overwhelming emotion in the world. I think this is a feeling, an emotion that is all too common to pro athletes.

Suicide is a rarity in sports, but it does happen. I think we need to take a moment to remember that these men are humans, and their problems should be acknowledged. Pro hockey should not define a human being, just like any other occupation shouldn't.

So rest in peace to these young men, and I hope all of you are well. Thank you for reading.