Devin Setoguchi’s career has featured many highs, but even more recent lows.
The former San Jose Sharks star went from scoring 31 goals in 2008-09 to being out the league last season at 28-years-old. What wasn’t publicized was Setoguchi’s personal battle with alcoholism and drug use. In an excellent piece from David Pollak of the Hockey News, Setoguchi opened up about his struggles.
[link_box id=”22277″ site_id=”17″ layout=”link-box-third” alignment=”alignright”]Setoguchi battled alcoholism and admitted he spiraled out of control with the Jets. He told Pollak he missed meetings due to alcoholism and depression and was regularly at the casino across from the Winnipeg Jets home arena. He revealed he took cocaine and Ambien while in Winnipeg.
“I did a lot there where I would stay up all night till 6 in the morning, 7 in the morning, do a little bit, go to morning skate, go home, sleep for six hours and get up to play,” Setoguchi said. “I’m surprised sometimes I didn’t have a heart attack. Three or four months of that.”
Setoguchi signed with the Flames in 2014 promising to say sober, but he broke that promise and was eventually sent to the American Hockey League. The 29-year-old turned things around, entering rehab in 2015 and getting in better physical shape. He spent the 2015-16 season with HC Davos and was recently signed to a PTO by the Los Angeles Kings.
Setoguchi seems focused on staying on the straight and narrow path. If he can, he’ll be able to resume his once-promising NHL career. He’s battled a lot of demons for his age. Let’s hope his next battle will be strictly on the ice.
