The NHL and NHLPA want players to plan for life after hockey long before they hang up their skates.Now they have an avenue to do so.The league and union on Thursday announced a new program intended to help players further their education, network and find out what jobs they may be suited for, such as finance and broadcasting. The goal of the Core Development Program is to connect with players early so the transition to life after hockey is easier.Its not just for players late in their careers, deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. Its going to be focused on players and really raising awareness among even the younger players that the sooner they can start focusing on the longer term, the better off theyll generally be -- as much in their careers as after their careers.The NFL, NBA and MLB all have resources to help players transition after retirement, and the NHL Alumni has one with the Break Away program. This new endeavor is closer to the NFL and NFLPAs Player Engagement department that focuses on continued education, financial stability and career development.Retired defenseman Mathieu Schneider, now the NHLPAs special assistant to the executive director, said player feedback as far back as 2013 helped spawn the new program. He said he believes players are generally conscious of the uncertainty of life after hockey and many wanted more assistance.Its really to help guys figure out first what they think theyre good at, and then second to help them figure out what they really are good at and to give them the tools to be successful at whatever it may be that theyre interested in, said Schneider, who called the diversity of the union membership the biggest challenge. You have a significant number of players that want to (get a college degree), you have a significant number of players that might want to start their own business, that want to be involved with finance, that want to become agents. While theyre playing, they have incredible opportunities that other people might not have.Some players have taken their own initiative in establishing non-hockey interests during their playing days, such as Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara getting his real estate license. Longtime forward Jeff Halpern, now an assistant coach for the American Hockey Leagues Syracuse Crunch, considers an example such as Chara the best way to sell this program to current players.I think its easy when guys are ending their careers or at the end of their career for people to become interested because they realize that their window is closing, said Halpern, part owner of a fried chicken and doughnut shop in the Washington area. Getting through to young players may be the hardest obstacle for the league and for the PA. I think most guys, they want to hear about other examples, other things that could be made available to them.Washington Capitals defenseman Nate Schmidt is in the process of studying for his real estate exam and working with an adviser at the University of Minnesota. He said he thinks the program could help a lot of players fill their time and ease their minds.A lot of guys, I think, are just scared of what happens after theyre done playing, Schmidt said. Even for a guy that has a college degree, Im kind of nervous for when that day might come.Taking away the What now? nerves is another potential benefit of the program. In other words, a relaxed player is a better player.There have been studies done that show that players that are prepared for life after sports, after their careers, actually perform better during their careers, Schneider said. Maybe it alleviates the anxiety or the some of the pressure that might come normally.The voluntary program is independent of Break Away, but Daly didnt rule out collaboration later. More ideas cant hurt, and players are glad to know they have help coming up with future paths.You need to be aware of the opportunity thats there, Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner said. Its nice to learn and be more of a well-rounded person because hockey is just one part of your life and it lasts for a year to 20, if youre lucky, and then you got a whole lot more hopefully to live.---Follow Stephen Whyno on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SWhyno Air Jordan 3 Wholesale .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place. Wholesale Air Jordan 3 Cheap . 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Air Jordan 3 Discount . - Blake Griffin had 30 points and 12 rebounds, J. ST. LOUIS -- Patrick Maroon scored an emotional goal to tie it, and then Ryan Nugent-Hopkins won it for Edmonton in overtime.Nugent-Hopkins scored 2:55 into OT after taking a pass from Connor McDavid, lifting the Oilers over the St. Louis Blues 3-2 on Monday night.The winner came after Maroon, a St. Louis native, got his first goal in nine career games against the Blues by tipping a shot by Brandon Davidson 5:47 into the third period.Cameras caught Maroons son Anthony celebrating the score in the stands, and Maroon cried when he was shown the video during a postgame television interview.I dont get to see him as much, he said, choking back tears. Its pretty special.That was good especially playing in front of a team that I grew up watching, he added. We had season tickets and you always get up for those games no matter what. Its fun to play your hometown team that you grew up watching and to get a goal is an extra bonus for me, and especially in front of my son and my family.McDavid became the first NHL player with 40 points by assisting on the OT goal.If you give Connor the puck and a good opportunity, hes going to make a play for sure, Nugent-Hopkins said.The OT goal frustrated St. Louis goalie Carter Hutton, who stopped 32 shots on his 31st birthday. It was his first start since Dec. 3, when the Blues lost to the Jets in overtime.It ended up in the net, Hutton said. I dont even know who scored it. Its a tough one to take. I thought Ive played pretty well since the start of the year but Im not putting up `Ws. Its tough.St. Louis scored first when Kyle Brodziak connected on a wrist shot 4:20 into the game. Nugent-Hopkins tried to ppoke the puck over the blue line, but Kevin Shattenkirk got it and passed to a wide open Brodziak, who beat Cam Talbot on his glove side.dddddddddddddmonton tied at about seven minutes later. Leon Draisaitl won a faceoff and Tyler Pitlick buried the shot, beating Hutton on his right side. Draisaitl also assisted on Maroons goal.The Blues took the lead back 33 seconds later when Vladimir Tarasenko hit a wrist shot from the right circle.Tarasenko leads all NHL players with 15 points (six goals and nine assists) in December. Tarasenko has points in 17 of his last 21 games with 12 goals and 17 assists.Pitlick fell to the ice with 4:26 left in the second period, favoring his left leg. He checked Jori Lehtera and his momentum carried him into the boards. He got helped off the ice and back into the locker room.Talbot had 25 saves.Game notes The Blues have lost three in a row to the Oilers. Prior to that, St. Louis had won eight straight against Edmonton. ... St. Louis G Jake Allen got a rest after starting the last seven games, going 3-4 in that stretch. He is 11-1-2 with one shutout on home ice. ... Talbot leads the NHL in games played with 30. ... This was the second of three meetings between the two teams this season. ... Alexander Steen played in his 520th game as a Blue, passing Red Berenson for 10th in club history among forwards. ... St. Louis is 8-2-1 in its last 11 games at home. They have points in 15 of the last 16 home games.UP NEXT:Oilers: Wednesday night at Arizona.Blues: Tuesday night at Dallas. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '