The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) is pleased to announce a new assistance program available exclusively for members of the PHPA Alumni Network that will offer support in various areas such as mental health, substance abuse, self-care, anxiety, depression, and more. The program will launch in October, with the entire cost covered by the PHPA to support their former Members.

The program will be administered by former PHPA Member Chuck Thuss, a Certified Professional Coach who has devoted his post-hockey career to assisting current and former athletes improve their mental health.  Thuss enjoyed a seven-year professional career split between the ECHL and International Hockey League where he served as a PHPA Player Representative and later as a member of the PHPA Executive Committee.

“While our current Members and their families can turn to our Redline Program 24 / 7 / 365 as a 100% confidential support system, our Alumni Members will now have access to a similar level of support,” said PHPA Executive Director, Larry Landon.  “Chuck has been assisting our Members improve various aspects of their mental health for many years and we are confident the program he has developed and will be leading will be embraced by our Alumni Network.”

“I am incredibly honored and grateful for the confidence the PHPA continues to show in me and the work that I do, and I look forward to being of service to any former PHPA Members who wish to take part in the program,” said Chuck Thuss.  “A program like this is much needed and I applaud the PHPA for acknowledging that and getting behind it fully on behalf of their Alumni Network.”

The program is available to all members of the PHPA Alumni Network (inclusive of those who played in the American Hockey League, ECHL, Central Hockey League, and International Hockey League) as well as their spouses / significant others and will consist of bi-monthly interactive Zoom meetings covering a range of topics as well as open conversation and dialogue.

The PHPA Alumni Network was formally initiated in 2018 as an outreach program to help support former PHPA Members with their transition to a post hockey career.  Since then, many former players who have built successful post-hockey careers have been eager to help and support through mentorship, career opportunities, or offering exclusive marketing partner programs.  In addition, several business leaders from outside the hockey community have reached out to the PHPA to align with its Alumni Network which now consists of over 9,000 former Members.

About the PHPA

Since its inception in 1967, the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) has continued to serve as an advocate of player interests.  Currently, the PHPA is the certified, U.S. National Labor Relations Board collective bargaining representative for over 1,600 players across 60 teams throughout the American Hockey League and ECHL.  Further, the PHPA continues to serve over 9,000 former PHPA Members through its Alumni Network.  Visit PHPA.com, follow the PHPA on Facebook (fb.com/thephpa), Twitter (@thephpa), and Instagram (@thephpa) and tune into The PHPA Podcast.