Blackhawks' Scott Darling helps needy man in Arizona — in a big way

By Chris Hine
Contact Reporter
Chicago Tribune
During the Blackhawks' recent road trip in Arizona, a man approached goalie Scott Darling and asked him for money.

Instead of avoiding him, Darling decided to help — in a big way.

In a story tweeted by Kane Van Gate, a beer-league goaltender who was in Arizona recently, Darling paid for the man to stay in a hotel for a month to help him get back on his feet.

According to the tweet, Darling hired a Uber driver to take the man to the hotel. That same driver later told Van Gate about Darling's act of generosity.

Darling confirmed the story Monday at Hawks practice.

"I just started talking to him, was interested in his life, seemed like a good guy and just needed a helping hand," Darling said. "That's how it happened."

Darling said he met the man Wednesday in Scottsdale, Ariz., where the Hawks were staying in advance of their game Thursday against the Coyotes. Darling, who did not divulge the man's name, said he was surprised to see the story gain traction on social media considering the only person he told was his fiancee.

"I had no idea how anyone even found out about that," Darling said.

Darling can relate to the feeling of needing help. He has been outspoken about his battle with alcohol addiction, which got him kicked off the University of Maine's hockey team, and his path to recovery all the way to the NHL.

"I definitely have a soft spot in my heart for that situation — people battling stuff that other people don't understand," Darling said. "He seemed like a really nice person. I'm in the position to help somebody like that. I'm happy to do it."

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.