Former NHL enforcer begs and pleads with troubled Ribeiro

When former National Hockey League enforcer Chris Nilan heard about Mike Ribeiro's arrests last week, he knew all too well the player had hit rock bottom. In an interview with the Journal de Quebec, Knuckles took the time to share his story of addiction again, and give some important advice to Ribeiro and other people who struggle with addiction. 

Nilan, who knows how hard it is to ask for help when you try to overcome addiction, tells Ribeiro to stick to the program and stay there as long as he can. 

"One thing I can tell Mike is to stay where he is," Nilan says. "Most hockey players do not ask for help. That's part of the mentality, that pushes us to take care of our teammates more than ourselves."

Back in 2000 when his teammate Bob Gainey tried to help him, Nilan refused. He completely understands how hard it can be for Ribeiro to admit his disease and get better. 

"I understand how he feels, added Nilan. "It's great that he sought help. Everything will fall into place if he accepts who he is and lives a life without drugs and alcohol. It is not easy to do." 

Nilan especially don't want to see people judge Ribeiro or anyone who stuggles with addiction. 

Not every NHL player can be as lucky as Nilan or Ribeiro in getting the help in time. Enforcer Derek Boogaard passed away in 2011 of an overdose.