Breaking: Former NHLer has died of an apparent drug overdose.

A former National Hockey League player, American Hockey League captain, and ECHL coach has passed away as a result of an apparent heroin overdose.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Dave Gove was attempting to turn his life around and was currently at the Bethlehem Haven rehab facility for men when he somehow got his hands on some heroin and is believed to have overdosed on the drug. Gove's body was found with stamp bags of heroin around it at the scene.

Gove was a member of the 2006 Carolina Hurricanes who won the Stanley Cup, although he did not meet the qualifications to have his name engraved on the Cup. He did however hoist the trophy and also appeared in the team photo where the Hurricanes all posed with the Cup.

Gove was also a part of the Pittsburgh Penguins organization where he shined at the American Hockey League level leading the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to the 2008 Calder Cup Final before being named captain of the team the very next season. 

Penguins' general manager Jim Rutherford has issued the following statement.

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“The Pittsburgh Penguins organization is saddened by the passing of Dave Gove. Dave touched many lives in the hockey world as both a player and coach. We express our deepest sympathy to his family and friends.”

Our thoughts are with Gove's family and loved ones at this time as they mourn a life taken far too soon. He was just 38 years old.