Aavco Cup
"I can make you cry in this room"
- Sep 5, 2013
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Iggy Pop, Jagger, Stevie Tyler. Most of these dudes are in their 70's and after partying harder than probably any NHLer could ever dream of they still manage to get up on stage and put on a show. Yeah there are definitely a few Ozzies out there that are just fried but a good majority of them are still able to get on stage and run around like an 18 year old. Substance abuse is a fickle thing but I don't think it ruins careers in a physical way more so then it becomes a distraction or in some cases an escape from a larger problem. Then there are the unlucky few who are likely dabbling in substance abuse because of brain related issues but that stems more from getting smashed in the head repeatedly over a their typically short careers.
You look at a guy like Kassian who had some major substance abuse problems and as soon as he kicks them he is back in game shape and was actually not bad for the Oilers this year in a limited role. I don't think substance abuse really takes a toll on these guys as much as it takes away from them actually staying in shape and being dedicated to the game. It's NHL has kept a pretty tight lid on it's substance abuse problem but knowing guys that have been in and around the pro circuit party scenes there is definitely a problem that is a lot larger than the NHL makes it out to be some guys are just deeper than others.
They still "perform" but in no way do they still do things physically they did on stage as 18 year olds.