Note: This article originally appeared on the website of the NHL Players' Association . NHL.com is reproducing the article with the NHLPA's permission.

Long before the Player Orientation Program became a permanent part of life for rising young National Hockey League players, Sheldon Souray recalled listening to experts talk about substance abuse and other problems he and his teammates might encounter as pro hockey players after being drafted by the New Jersey Devils.

“I'm sitting in the back of the room going, ‘What are they talking about? I don't have a drinking problem. I don't have anxiety,” Souray recalled with a rueful grin.

“The old culture was you suffer in silence, right? You're a rookie, shut up, do what you're told,” added Souray who played in 758 NHL games. “I guess my

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