Sept. 18--After a career that spanned nine seasons with six teams, former Blackhawks winger Daniel Carcillo announced his retirement from the NHL in a story written by Carcillo for the Players' Tribune.
Carcillo, who spent three seasons with the Blackhawks, said he would like to help NHL players transition into their life after hockey:
"My immediate goal is to help athletes transition to the next phase of their life -- whether it's continuing education, finding internships with companies or networking with other athletes who are dealing with the same issues," Carcillo wrote. "My mission is to help guys who are dealing with anxiety, depression and uncertainty about their future. Not down the line, not next week, but right now."
Carcillo, 30, wants to become an advocate for former players after the death of his friend and former Hawk Steve Montador. Carcillo is involved with a new nonprofit organization called Chapter 5 to help him attain his goals.
"I want to get guys internships now," Carcillo wrote. "I want to help guys find a structure and a purpose now. When guys are done with the game, the game shouldn't be done with them. We sacrifice too much for that to be the status quo."
Carcillo also has said he would like to bring attention to the brain injuries players suffer during their careers. After Montador's death, doctors found the presence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain disorder linked to concussions and repeated blows to the head.
Carcillo finished his career with 48 goals and 52 assists in 429 games. He was a member of the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup-winning teams in 2013 and 2015 but did not play in the postseason during the most recent run. He appeared in four playoff games for the Hawks in 2013.
