For most of my life, hockey wasnāt just a sport: it was my identity, my structure, and my community. Being part of a team meant more than winning games; it meant accountability, trust, and shared purpose. But when the game ended, that foundation disappeared almost overnight. I didnāt realize at the time how much I relied on that built-in support system or how empty life could feel without it.
During my playing days, I struggled with compulsive gambling, drugs, and alcohol. What started as ways to escape pressure and fill the void quickly became destructive patterns that began to take over my life. In the last six months of my playing career, I finally reached a breaking point. I took a leave of absence from the team and went to meet Nick Rothwell, who introduced me to ReTribe.
That decision changed the trajectory of my life. Through ReTribe, I found the tools, structure, and brotherhood that helped me get sober, and more importantly, stay sober. It gave me back the same sense of accountability and connection that hockey once did, but in a way that helped me grow as a person, not just as a player.
Thatās when I came across ReTribe, a peer-to-peer menās group founded by my now dear friend Nick Rothwell, specifically for current and former hockey players. The idea was simple but powerful: give men a space to connect, talk openly, and hold each other accountable, just like a team would. There was no judgment, no ego, and no need to āperform.ā It was about honesty, brotherhood, and growth.
I joined my first ReTribe group not knowing what to expect. What I found was something I hadnāt realized Iād been missing: a team again. A group of men who understood the unique transition out of the sport, who had faced their own struggles ā addiction, PTSD, OCD, relationship issues ā and who showed up every week to support one another.
ReTribe meetings quickly have become a non-negotiable part of my week. The structure mirrored the discipline Iād once had in hockey: showing up, being accountable, putting in the work. But the focus was internal this time: building self-awareness, learning to be vulnerable, and supporting others doing the same.
ReTribeās impact on my life has come during three critical phases of my life, each shaping my journey in a different but equally important way:
1. Active Playing and Participation: Even while I was still playing, I engaged with ReTribe. Being part of the group gave me a space to be honest about my struggles with gambling, drugs, and alcohol, and to start building healthier habits while still in the intensity of my playing career. The
accountability and support I received during this time were crucial in helping me achieve sobriety in the final months of my career.
2. Support Through Retirement and Transition: When I stepped away from hockey, the loss of routine, identity, and community could have been overwhelming. ReTribe provided guidance and stability as I navigated this transition, helping me redefine purpose and structure in my life outside
of the game. Their support made the difference between feeling adrift and moving forward with intention.
3. Ongoing Support Beyond Hockey: Even now, nearly a year into my post-playing career, ReTribe remains in my corner. The group continues to provide accountability, encouragement, and honest feedback, helping me maintain sobriety, grow personally, and show up fully in my work and relationships. The consistency of this support has made a profound difference in my life. Through the process, I found my footing again. The consistency, honesty, and brotherhood helped me stay grounded in my recovery and maintain my sobriety from gambling, drugs, and alcohol. It reminded me that I wasnāt alone and that strength doesnāt come from going it alone, but from leaning into the team around you.
ā Sobriety and accountability: Regular check-ins and shared vulnerability have helped me stay on track and honest with myself.
ā Community and belonging: ReTribe restored the sense of team Iād been missing: a group that truly understands what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself.
ā Personal growth: The program gave me structure, perspective, and emotional resilience. Iām more open, reflective, and connected than Iāve ever been.
ā Paying it forward: Iāve become passionate about helping others find the same support that changed my life, whether thatās through ReTribe or simply showing up for the people around me.
ReTribe didnāt just help me recover, it helped me rebuild. It gave me back a team, a purpose, and a path forward. For any former player or man feeling adrift, ReTribe is proof that itās never too late to find your tribe again.
Through this journey, Nick Rothwell has become more than a mentor: he has become a lifelong friend and someone I can count on both on and off the ice. The connection and trust built through ReTribe are lasting, and the impact on my life has been immeasurable. I am forever grateful and blessed.