Heard Ray Ferraro talking about steroid use in hockey. He says it's fairly non-existant but that alcohol is fairly widespread, estimating that 20% of the players are (what he called) functional alcoholics.

~Adam

Alcohol and hockey go back a long way. I know at least one Flyer from their Cup teams, Bernie Parent, went through treatment for alcohol abuse after his career was over. That was a very close-knit and hard-partying team in those days.

I don't see how steroids would help hockey players much, so it doesn't surprise me that they aren't around the sport.

(Why do they call Ray Ferraro "chicken parm" anyway?)

Joe In Philly:

I think they call Ray "Chicken Parm" because that's his favorite food to order in a restaurant when he's on the road. Is he doing commentary on ESPN? I haven't seen him as yet (and would like to!).

*sigh* there have been no sightings by me of the very hot Ray Ferraro on ESPN this year. I wish he'd retire and broadcast permanetly, and replace Barry Melrose (Mario's bitchboy).

The Ferraro twins were in town, however. What is it with people and that last name? All the ones I've seen are hot.

I've only seen Ray Ferraro on ESPN2 (either in between periods or on the NHL2Night show). One night recently I recall changing the channel and they were in the middle of showing highlights of his career, sort of a tribute to him. I got the impression that perhaps he is now retiring as a player, but I don't recall it being announced.

From my perspective, alcohol "mixes" with all kinds of sports in general, therfore I am sure there is a percentage of hockey players, football players, and baseball and basketball players who have some kind of an addiction going.

[quote]Originally posted by Joe in Philly:
I don't see how steroids would help hockey players much, so it doesn't surprise me that they aren't around the sport.

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Anabolic steroids promote more rapid healing of muscle fibers -- which is why they are most effective for building mass in conjunction with a weight training program.

In a sport that requires explosive power (such as would be required from quick acceleration on ice skates), there would be a benefit to steroid use. The question always is, though, does the benefit outweigh the cost? Absent a steroid testing program, I would expect steroid use in NHL to be about the same as in baseball or basketball. But I'm guessing.

I find it remarkable how many people seem to view drug-testing programs as a panacea for the steroid issue. Do you really believe that there aren't NFL players using steroids? I'll bet they're more pervasive there than in baseball. Hell, I suspect an awful lot of the top high school football prospects are on them.

Side note: did anybody catch the divorce proceedings flap between Chuck Finley & Tawnee? She claims he used drugs & steroids and boasted he knew how to beat the tests. Her credibility went way down in my books, since there's no reason for Finley to be worrying about drug tests.

Ray has, indeed, retired. Jim Rome interviewed him a week or two ago.

The nickname Chicken Parm was given to him after some of the other ESPN guys noticed how often he ordered it. It somehow stuck.

I'd like to find out what sort of training routine Ray uses. When they did Inside the NHL or NHL All Access, whatever it's called, on Atlanta, Ray was shirtless in the dressing room in one interview. He is absolutely ripped. I'd like to be in that sort of shape -- not where you look like a genetic freak but are obviously working hard at maintaining a good level of strength, mass and cardio.

Congrats to Ray on a great career. I wish he could've ended it in Atlanta, but I understand wanting to get on a team for maybe one last chance at a Stanley Cup.